Aug. 21 / Administration of , 2012 thing over and over again: The economy is not voters. And if somehow we miss you, or if you doing as well as it should, and it’s all Obama’s decide you want to help your friends and your fault. [Laughter] It’s like going to a concert, and neighbors and fellow students to get regis- they just keep on playing the same song over tered, you can do it online at gottaregister.com. and over again. [Laughter] And the reason Now, I want—I know this is an educated place, they’ve got to try to just repeat that over and but “gotta” is spelled g-o-t-t-a. [Laughter] This over again is because they know their economic is gottaregister.com. So you’ve got to—you’ve plan is not popular. They know that the Ameri- “gotta” not just register; you “gotta” grab some can people are not going to buy another $5 tril- friends. You “gotta” grab some neighbors. You lion tax cut, most of which goes to wealthy “gotta” take them to the polls. You “gotta” vote. Americans and that will be paid for by you. Let’s prove the cynics wrong one more time. Audience members. Boo! Let’s show them your vote counts. Let’s prove The President. They know gutting education your voice is more powerful than lobbyists and to pay for a massive new tax cut for millionaires special interests. Let’s keep the promise of this and billionaires is not going to sell. So since country alive: that no matter what you look like they can’t advertise their plan, they’re going to or where you come from, you can make it if bet on the fact that you get discouraged, that you try. We’ve come too far to turn back now. you get cynical, that you decide your vote We’ve got more students to educate, more doesn’t matter. They’re betting that each $10 teachers to hire, more troops to bring home, million check from some wealthy donor more schools to rebuild, more good jobs to cre- drowns out millions of voices. They don’t see ate, more homegrown energy to generate, that as a problem; that’s their strategy. more doors of opportunity to open for every- I’m counting on something different. I’m body who’s willing to work hard. counting on you. See, part of what you taught And if you’ll stand with me like you did in me in 2008 is that when the American people 2008, if you’re willing to do some work and join together, they can’t be stopped. When we knock on doors and make phone calls, we will remember our parents and our grandparents win Washoe County. We will win Nevada. We and great-grandparents and all the sacrifices will win this election. We’ll finish what we start- they made and we’re reminded that this coun- ed and remind the world why the try has always risen and fallen together, when of America is the greatest nation on Earth. we remember that what makes us special is the God bless you. God bless America. idea that everybody gets a fair shot and every- body does their fair share and everybody is NOTE: The President spoke at 4:44 p.m. at playing by the same set of rules, when that’s Truckee Meadows Community College. In his our focus, you can’t be stopped. remarks, he referred to Alejandra Hernandez So here’s what I’m going to need from ev- Chavez, incoming freshman, University of Ne- erybody: First of all, you’ve got no excuse not vada, Reno in Reno, NV, who introduced the to register to vote. We’ve got staff and volun- President; and Republican Presidential candi- teers who are here. They will grab you at the date former Gov. W. Mitt Romney. He also re- door. You won’t be able to escape. This young ferred to his mother-in-law Marian Robinson lady right here, she’s ready to register some and sister Maya Soetoro-Ng.

Statement on the Death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of August 21, 2012

It was with sadness that I learned of the pia’s development, particularly his unyielding passing of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of commitment to Ethiopia’s poor. I met with Ethiopia. Prime Minister Meles deserves rec- Prime Minister Meles at the G–8 summit in ognition for his lifelong contribution to Ethio- May and recall my personal admiration for his

1258 Administration of Barack Obama, 2012 / Aug. 21 desire to lift millions of Ethiopians out of pov- family and to the people of Ethiopia on this erty through his drive for food security. I am untimely loss and confirm the U.S. Govern- also grateful for Prime Minister Meles’s service ment’s commitment to our partnership with for peace and security in , his contribu- Ethiopia. Going forward, we encourage the tions to the , and his voice for Af- Government of Ethiopia to enhance its sup- rica on the world stage. port for development, democracy, regional sta- On behalf of the American people, I offer bility and security, human rights, and prosperi- my condolences to Prime Minister Meles’s ty for its people.

Statement on the Resignation of Aaron S. Williams as Director of the Peace Corps August 21, 2012

From working tirelessly to improve volun- Corps volunteers make, and under Aaron’s teer support to his leadership in reforming and leadership, the agency’s work has been at the modernizing the agency, Aaron has been a forefront of this administration’s efforts to in- champion of the thousands of remarkable crease global engagement. I want to extend my Peace Corps volunteers serving across the thanks to him for his dedicated service and globe. I know the positive change that Peace wish him and his family the best.

Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting an Alternative Plan for Pay In- creases for Civilian Federal Employees August 21, 2012

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) Accordingly, I have determined that it is ap- propriate to exercise my statutory alternative I am transmitting an alternative plan for pay plan authority under 5 U.S.C. 5303(b) and increases for civilian Federal employees cov- 5304a to set alternative 2013 across-the-board ered by the General Schedule and certain oth- and locality pay adjustments. Specifically, I er pay systems for 2013. have determined that for 2013, across-the- Title 5, United States Code, authorizes me board pay increases will be 0.5 percent, and to implement alternative pay plans for pay in- the current locality pay percentages shown in creases for civilian Federal employees covered Schedule 9 of Executive Order 13594 of De- by the General Schedule and certain other pay cember 19, 2011, will remain at their 2012 lev- systems if, because of “national emergency or els. This decision will not materially affect the serious economic conditions affecting the gen- Federal Government’s ability to attract and re- eral welfare,” I view the adjustments that tain a well-qualified Federal workforce. would otherwise take effect as inappropriate. Finally, with respect to the anticipated con- Civilian Federal employees have already tinuing resolution, Congress should maintain made significant sacrifices as a result of a two- current pay rates during the period of the con- year pay freeze. As our country continues to tinuing resolution. Assuming such a continuing recover from serious economic conditions af- resolution is enacted, the adjustments de- fecting the general welfare, however, we must scribed above would take effect after the con- maintain efforts to keep our Nation on a sus- tinuing resolution expires. tainable fiscal course. This is an effort that con- Sincerely, tinues to require tough choices and each of us to do our fair share. BARACK OBAMA

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