Mar. 27 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2010

This reform of Federal student loan pro- and businesses so that every community can grams will save taxpayers $68 billion over the gain the workforce it needs, and they are vital next decade. And with this legislation, we’re to our economic future. putting that money to use achieving a goal I And to ensure that all our students have ev- set for America. By the end of this decade, we ery chance to live up to their full potential, this will once again have the highest proportion of legislation also increases support for our mi- college graduates in the world. nority-serving institutions, including our His- To make college more affordable for mil- torically Black Colleges and Universities, to lions of middle class Americans for whom the keep them as strong as ever in this new centu- cost of higher education has become an un- ry. bearable burden, we’re expanding Federal Education and health care, two of the most Pell grants for students, increasing them to important pillars of a strong America, grew keep pace with inflation in the coming years stronger this week. These achievements don’t and putting the program on a stronger finan- represent the end of our challenges, nor do cial footing. In total, we are doubling funding they signify the end of the work that faces our for the Federal Pell grant program to help stu- country. But what they do represent is real and dents who depend on it. major reform. What they show is that we’re a To make sure our students don’t go broke nation still capable of doing big things. What just because they chose to go to college, we’re they prove is what’s possible when we can making it easier for graduates to afford their come together to overcome the politics of the student loan payments. Today, about two in moment, push back on the special interests, three graduates take out loans to pay for col- and look beyond the next election to do what’s lege. The average student ends up with more right for the next generation. than $23,000 in debt. So when this change That’s the spirit in which we continue the takes effect in 2014, we’ll cap a graduate’s an- work of tackling our greatest common tasks: an nual student loan repayments at 10 percent of economy rebuilt, job creation revitalized, an his or her income. American Dream renewed for all people. To help an additional 5 million Americans Thank you. earn degrees and certificates over the next de- cade, we’re revitalizing programming at our NOTE: The address was recorded at approxi- community colleges, the career pathways for mately 11:15 a.m. on March 26 in the Map millions of dislocated workers and working Room at the White House for broadcast on families across this country. These schools are March 27. The transcript was made available centers of learning, where students young and by the Office of the Press Secretary on March old can get the skills and technical training 26, but was embargoed for release until 6 a.m. they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow. on March 27. The Office of the Press Secre- They’re centers of opportunity as well, where tary also released a Spanish language tran- we can forge partnerships between students script of this address.

Remarks Following a Meeting With President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan in Kabul, Afghanistan March 28, 2010

President Karzai. Well, Mr. President, wel- in the past 8 years, for the assistance given. come to Afghanistan on your second visit, this And I hope that this process will continue into time as the President of the United States of the future towards a stable, strong, peaceful America. I welcome you on behalf of the Af- Afghanistan that can sustain itself and that can ghan people and express the gratitude of our move forward into the future with confidence people for the help that America has given us and better hopes.

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We had a good discussion on the issues be- more and more security efforts are made by the tween our two countries, about the region, and Afghans. our continuing struggle against extremism and And so we very much appreciate the partner- terrorism. We will be continuing our conversa- ship. And I expressed to the President that I’m tion later on. At this point, I suffice at welcom- going to be inviting him to visit Washington in ing President Barack Obama to Afghanistan May, and we intend to have a discussion about with pleasure and once again expressing my our long-term strategic interests between the gratitude to the American people for giving Af- two countries. ghanistan the taxpayers’ money for the rebuild- Let me finally say that one of the main rea- ing and reestablishing better institutions in Af- sons I’m here is to just say thank you to the in- ghanistan. credible efforts of our U.S. troops and our coali- Welcome, Mr. President. As always, it’s so tion partners. They make tremendous sacrifices good to have you. far away from home, and I want to make sure President Obama. Thank you very much. that they know how proud their Commander in And, Mr. President, thank you for your hospi- Chief is of them. And so I’ll have an opportunity tality. It is wonderful to be back in Afghanistan. to say thank you to them later. I’m very pleased to see that there’s been And to the Afghan people, the American people some excellent efforts in terms of partnering send greetings and are encouraged by the prog- Afghan National Security Forces with U.S. and ress that’s been made. I commented to the coalition forces. We think that points to the di- President that in coming into Kabul, you could rection that all of us are interested in: a day see the change in terms of increased electricity when Afghanistan’s going to be able to provide production, which is just one sign, I think, of for its own security, but continue a long-term the progress that’s—will continue to be made. strategic partnership with the United States. And I want to send a strong message that the So thank you very much, Mr. President, for partnership between the United States and Af- your hospitality, and—— ghanistan is going to continue. We have seen al- President Karzai. Most welcome. ready progress with respect to the military cam- President Obama. ——again, greetings to the paign against extremism in the region. But we Afghan people. also want to continue to make progress on the President Karzai. It’s a pleasure and honor. civilian process of ensuring that agricultural Most welcome, Mr. President. Most welcome, production, energy production, good gover- Mr. President. nance, rule of law, anticorruption efforts—all President Obama. All right? Thank you, ev- these things end up resulting in a Afghanistan erybody. that is more prosperous, more secure, indepen- dent, is not subject to meddling by its neigh- NOTE: The President spoke at 9:15 p.m. at the bors, a transition will be able to occur so that Presidential Palace.

Remarks to United States and Coalition Troops at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan March 28, 2010

The President. How’s it going, Bagram? Well, standing introduction and his great service. I you know, it turns out that the American peo- want to thank Major General Mike Scaparrotti. ple, they let me use this plane called Air Force Thank you for your great work as commanding One, and so I thought I’d come over and say general. I want to thank Ms. Dawn Liberi, hello. who’s the senior civilian representative of Re- Couple of people I want to thank, in addition gional Command East, for her outstanding to Sergeant Major Eric Johnson for the out- work; and Brigadier General Steven Kwast,

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