Administration of Barack Obama, 2009 / Sept. 1

Remarks on H1N1 Influenza Preparedness and Response September 1, 2009

Good afternoon, everybody. Before I say a play in responding to this virus. We need State few words about the meeting we just had, I’d and local governments on the frontlines to like to mention some good news that came out make antiviral medications and vaccines avail- today about our economy. Now, for the first able and be ready to take whatever steps are time in 18 months, our manufacturing sector necessary to support the health care system. We has expanded, and the statistics used to mea- need hospitals and health care providers to con- sure manufacturing output is the highest it’s tinue preparing for an increased patient load been in over 2 years. and to take steps to protect health care workers. This means greater production of transporta- We need families and businesses to ensure that tion equipment like cars and electronic equip- they have plans in place if a family member, a ment like computers and appliances, and it child, or a coworker contracts the flu and needs means these companies are starting to invest to stay home. more and produce more, and it is a sign that And most importantly, we need everyone to we’re on the path to economic recovery. get informed about individual risk factors, and And there’s no doubt that we have a long way we need everyone to take the commonsense to go, and I and the other members of this ad- steps that we know can make a difference. Stay ministration will not let up until those Ameri- home if you’re sick; wash your hands frequent- cans who are looking for jobs can find them. ly; cover your sneezes with your sleeve, not your But this is another important sign that we’re hands; and take all the necessary precautions to heading in the right direction and that the steps stay healthy. I know it sounds simple, but it’s we’ve taken to bring our economy back from important, and it works. Finally, for people who the brink are working. want to learn more about this virus, please go to Now, we just had a good meeting about our www.flu.gov or talk to your doctor. ongoing efforts to prepare this country for the H1N1 flu virus this fall. And I want to thank I want to commend every member of our John Brennan; our CDC Director, Tom Frie- team. I think we’ve done an extraordinary job in den; and Secretaries Sebelius, Napolitano, preparing for this flu outbreak. We anticipate Duncan, and Locke for all the good work that that there will be some issues coming up over they’ve been doing to get us ready today. the next several months. The way it’s moving is As I said when we saw the first cases of this still somewhat unpredictable, but what I’m ab- virus back in the spring, I don’t want anybody to solutely confident about is that our team that’s be alarmed, but I do want everybody to be pre- assembled here has done an extraordinary job pared. We know that we usually get a second, in preparing for whatever may happen. larger wave of these flu viruses in the fall, and So we appreciate all of you for being here, so response plans have been put in place across and I want to publicly again thank you for all all levels of government. Our plans and deci- your extraordinarily hard work. All right. sions are based on the best scientific informa- tion available, and as the situation changes, we NOTE: The President spoke at 2:13 p.m. in the will continue to update the public. Rose Garden at the White House. In his re- And we’re also making steady progress on de- marks, he referred to Assistant to the President veloping a safe and effective H1N1 flu vaccine, for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism and we expect a flu shot program will begin John O. Brennan; Secretary of Health and Hu- soon. This program will be completely volun- man Services Kathleen Sebelius; Secretary of tary, but it will be strongly recommended. Homeland Security Janet A. Napolitano; Secre- For all that we do in the Federal Govern- tary of Education Arne Duncan; and Secretary ment, however, every American has a role to of Commerce Gary F. Locke.

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Remarks at the Iftar Dinner September 1, 2009

The President. Please, everybody, have a Tonight’s iftar is a ritual that is also being seat. Thank you. Well, it is my great pleasure carried out this Ramadan at kitchen tables and to host all of you here at the White House to mosques in all 50 States. Islam, as we know, is mark this special occasion. Ramadan Kareem. part of America. And like the broader Ameri- Audience members. Ramadan Kareem. can citizenry, the American Muslim communi- The President. I want to say that I’m deeply ty is one of extraordinary dynamism and diver- honored to welcome so many members of the sity, with families that stretch back generations diplomatic corps, as well as several members and more recent immigrants, with Muslims of of my administration and distinguished Mem- countless races and ethnicities, and with roots bers of Congress, including the first two Mus- in every corner of the world. lims to serve in Congress, Keith Ellison and Indeed, the contribution of Muslims to the Andre Carson. Where are they? Give them a United States are too long to catalog because big round of applause. Muslims are so interwoven into the fabric of Just a few other acknowledgements I want our communities and our country. American to make. We have Senator Richard Lugar Muslims are successful in business and enter- here, who’s our ranking member of the For- tainment, in the arts and athletics, in science eign Affairs Committee. Where is Dick Lugar? and in medicine. Above all, they are successful There he is; thank you. Representative John parents, good neighbors, and active citizens. Conyers, chairman of the Judiciary Commit- So on this occasion, we celebrate the holy tee; Representative Rush Holt is here. Thank month of Ramadan, and we also celebrate how you, Rush. Have we found you a seat, Rush? much Muslims have enriched America and its [Laughter] culture, in ways both large and small. And with us here tonight, we see just a small sample of Representative Rush D. Holt. I’m on my those contributions. Let me share a few stories way to the train. [Laughter] with you briefly. The President. I got you. [Laughter] Elsheba Khan’s son Kareem, made the ulti- Rep. Holt. Thank you, Mr. President. mate sacrifice for his country when he lost his The President. We also have here—Secre- life in Iraq. Kareem joined the military as soon tary of Defense Gates is here, Secretary as he finished high school. He would go on to Gates; our Attorney General, Eric Holder; and win the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, along Secretary of Health and Human Services with the admiration of his fellow soldiers. In Kathleen Sebelius is here. describing her son, Elsheba said, “He always And most of all, I want to welcome all the wanted to help any way that he could.” To- American Muslims from many walks of life night, he’s buried alongside thousands of he- who are here. This is just one part of our effort roes in Arlington National Cemetery. A cres- to celebrate Ramadan and continues a long cent is carved into his grave, just as others bear tradition of hosting iftars here at the White the Christian cross or the Jewish star. These House. brave Americans are joined in death as they For well over a billion Muslims, Ramadan is were in life, by a common commitment to a time of intense devotion and reflection. It’s a their country and the values that we hold dear. time of service and support for those in need. And one of those values is the freedom to And it is also a time for family and friends to practice your religion, a right that is enshrined come together in a celebration of their faith, in the First Amendment of the Constitution. their communities, and the common humanity Nashala Hearn, who joins us from Muskogee, that all of us share. It is in that spirit that I wel- Oklahoma, took a stand for that right at an ear- come each and every one of you to the White ly age. When her district—school district told House. her that she couldn’t wear the hijab, she

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