June 17 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 she’s committed to working as a partner to izens, generation after generation, who do leaders with both parties who want to pursue their part to uphold our founding ideals. It reform that continues the trend of a falling comes from an unshakable faith in our ability crime rate and a falling incarceration rate. to stand up for what is right and to admit She understands the importance of protect- where we’ve fallen short and then choose a ing our national security while also securing better way forward. our civil liberties. That’s why she will safeguard That was the cause to which Loretta dedi- the programs that are critical to protecting cated her life long before she became Ameri- American lives and Americans’ privacy. I see ca’s top law enforcement officer. Today, the our FBI Director, Jim Comey, who’s here, and American people can have no greater advocate I know he’s committed to doing the same for their right to equality under the law, no thing. greater partner in securing justice for all than She lives out the words of one of our great- our Attorney General, Loretta Lynch. est Attorney Generals, Robert F. Kennedy: “The glory of justice and the majesty of the law [At this point, Supreme Court Associate Justice are created not just by the Constitution, nor by Sonia M. Sotomayor administered the oath of the courts, nor by the officers of the law, nor office. Attorney General Lynch then made re- by the lawyers, but by the men and women marks.] who constitute our society—who are protec- tors of the law as they are themselves protected NOTE: The President spoke at 11:24 a.m. at by the law.” the Warner Theatre. In his remarks, he re- That’s always been the story of our Nation. ferred to Lorine Lynch, mother of Attorney Our strength does not come from the words General Lynch. The transcript released by the we’ve written on the page or the laws we’ve put Office of the Press Secretary also included the down on the books. It comes from ordinary cit- remarks of Attorney General Lynch.

Statement on the Observance of Ramadan June 17, 2015

As the new crescent Moon brings in the sity. In this month of giving, Muslims around holy month of Ramadan, Michelle and I the globe reach out to assist those afflicted by send our warmest greetings to all those ob- conflict, hunger, poverty, and disease. And serving the month of fasting in the United here in the United States, American Muslims States and around the world. Ramadan is a join their fellow citizens to serve the less for- time in which families and communities tunate, hosting interfaith activities that build come together for iftars and prayers in fes- understanding and remind us that we stand tive gatherings that demonstrate the rich together as one American family. The diversi- and diverse traditions of Muslim societies ty and patriotism of America’s religious com- and cultures. munities give strength to all of us, and our It is also a deeply spiritual time of reflec- freedom to worship reminds us of the values tion and renewal meant to increase thankful- we share. ness and consciousness of God’s mercy. Mus- I once again look forward to welcoming lims honor each day of Ramadan as a day of American Muslims to the White House for our patient endurance through fasting, and each annual White House iftar dinner to honor the night as a night of gratitude through prayers. month of Ramadan and recognize the service It is a time to reinforce faith, compassion and of American Muslims from across the country. forgiveness, and perseverance through adver- From my family to yours, Ramadan Kareem.

710 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 17

Remarks at the Congressional Picnic June 17, 2015 [As the President approached the podium, he sure that we are true to that commitment and pointed to the Presidential seal.] true to those values. And obviously, democracy can be conten- The President. That’s right. It’s the one with tious. There are times where people have the sign on it there. [Laughter] deep, principled disagreements. But I hope Audience member. Yeah! The President. How is everybody doing to- that events like today remind us that ultimate- day? Well, I want to welcome everybody to the ly, we’re all on the same team, and that’s the South Lawn. And usually, it’s broiling hot American team. when we have our congressional picnic, so this I also want to say thank you to the families, is one of those days where we actually welcome because there is enormous burdens that are a little cloud cover. placed on the spouses and the children of I’m going to be very brief because I want to those who serve in Congress. I know—and Mi- shake as many hands as I can, although I want chelle knows really well—the nature of those to warn in advance, I can’t do a selfie with ev- burdens. And for you to sacrifice in your own erybody. [Laughter] ways is the only way that we are able to serve. Audience member. How about a kiss? And so we are very, very grateful for your sup- The President. A kiss I can give you. [Laughter] port and your sacrifice. The—my main message is, as is always true And for the members of the staffs who are at this wonderful event, is just to say thank you. here, we want to say thank you as well, because America faces enormous challenges. We face you make us look good. And you have all the the challenge of making sure that the economy sacrifices, but you don’t always get the atten- works for everybody and everybody has oppor- tion. And we know that you work really, really tunity. We have international challenges from hard to make this possible as well. So we are terrorism to climate change. But the thing that grateful to you. always gives me confidence that we’re going to So I want everybody to have fun. Eat up. meet these challenges is because the American And I do want to also say how wildly impressed people are good and they are decent, and we’ve got a democracy that, as frustrating and I was at the quality of baseball when I went out messy as it can be sometimes, still represents to Nat Stadium the other day. You guys actual- the best hope for freedom and prosperity for ly looked like you knew what you were doing! any society. [Laughter] Flake, I saw you, man, at bat. You And we are the longest continuous democ- were all right. [Laughter] racy on Earth. We have set the model and the So enjoy. Thank you. God bless you guys. tone for people around the world who aspire to Thank you. Oh, and can everybody please give the values that we cherish so dearly. There’s a it up for our outstanding Marine Band? reason why, from every corner of the globe, They’re the best. They can play anything! striving, hopeful, talented people still want to come to the United States of America. And our NOTE: The President spoke at 6:37 p.m. on the job, together—mine as President and those of South Lawn at the White House. In his re- you who are serving in Congress—is to make marks, he referred to Sen. Jeffrey L. Flake.

711 June 18 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015

Remarks on the Shooting in Charleston, South Carolina June 18, 2015

Good afternoon, everybody. This morning I like this raise. I’ve had to make statements like spoke with, and Vice President Biden spoke this too many times. Communities like this with, Mayor Joe Riley and other leaders of have had to endure tragedies like this too many Charleston to express our deep sorrow over the times. We don’t have all the facts, but we do senseless murders that took place last night. know that, once again, innocent people were Michelle and I know several members of killed in part because someone who wanted to Emanuel AME Church. We knew their pastor, inflict harm had no trouble getting their hands Reverend Clementa Pinckney, who, along with on a gun. eight others, gathered in prayer and fellowship Now is the time for mourning and for heal- and was murdered last night. And to say our ing. But let’s be clear: At some point, we as a thoughts and prayers are with them and their country will have to reckon with the fact that families and their community doesn’t say this type of mass violence does not happen in enough to convey the heartache and the sad- other advanced countries. It doesn’t happen in ness and the anger that we feel. other places with this kind of frequency. And it Any death of this sort is a tragedy. Any is in our power to do something about it. I say shooting involving multiple victims is a trage- that recognizing the politics in this town fore- dy. There is something particularly heartbreak- close a lot of those avenues right now. But it ing about the death happening in a place in would be wrong for us not to acknowledge it. which we seek solace and we seek peace, in a And at some point, it’s going to be important place of worship. for the American people to come to grips with And Mother Emanuel is, in fact, more than a it and for us to be able to shift how we think church. This is a place of worship that was about the issue of gun violence collectively. founded by African Americans seeking liberty. The fact that this took place in a Black This is a church that was burned to the ground church obviously also raises questions about a because its worships—worshipers worked to dark part of our history. This is not the first end slavery. When there were laws banning all- time that Black churches have been attacked. Black church gatherings, they conducted servic- And we know that hatred across races and es in secret. When there was a nonviolent move- faiths pose a particular threat to our democracy ment to bring our country closer in line with our and our ideals. highest ideals, some of our brightest leaders The good news is, I am confident that the spoke and led marches from this church’s steps. outpouring of unity and strength and fellow- This is a sacred place in the history of Charles- ship and love across Charleston today from all ton and in the history of America. races, from all faiths, from all places of worship The FBI is now on the scene with local police, indicates the degree to which those old vestig- and more of the Bureau’s best are on the way to es of hatred can be overcome. That certainly join them. The Attorney General has announced was Dr. King’s hope just over 50 years ago, af- plans for the FBI to open a hate crime investiga- ter four little girls were killed in a bombing in a tion. We understand that the suspect is in custo- Black church in Birmingham, Alabama. dy. And I’ll let the best of law enforcement do its He said, “They lived meaningful lives,” and work to make sure that justice is served. “they died nobly.” “They say to each of us,” Dr. Until the investigation is complete, I’m nec- King said, “Black and White alike, that we must essarily constrained in terms of talking about substitute courage for caution. They say to us the details of the case. But I don’t need to be that we must be concerned not merely with constrained about the emotions that tragedies [about]* who murdered them, but about the

* White House correction.

712 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 18 system, the way of life, the philosophy which Mother Emanuel church and its congrega- produced the murderers. Their death says to us tion have risen before—from flames, from an that we must work passionately and unrelent- earthquake, from other dark times—to give ingly for the realization of the American Dream. hope to generations of Charlestonians. And . . . And if one will hold on, he will discover that with our prayers and our love, and the buoyan- God walks with him, and that God is able to lift cy of hope, it will rise again now as a place of you from the fatigue of despair to the buoyancy peace. of hope, and transform dark and desolate valleys Thank you. into sunlit paths of inner peace.” NOTE: The President spoke at 12:20 p.m. in Reverend Pinckney and his congregation the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the understood that spirit. Their Christian faith White House. In his remarks, he referred to compelled them to reach out not just to mem- South Carolina State Sen. Clementa C. Pinck- bers of their congregation or to members of ney, who was killed in the June 17 shooting at their own communities, but to all in need. Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church They opened their doors to strangers who in Charleston, SC; Dylann S. Roof, suspected might enter a church in search of healing or re- gunman in the shooting; and Attorney General demption. Loretta E. Lynch.

Remarks at a Democratic National Committee Fundraiser in Beverly Hills, California June 18, 2015

The President. Hello, everybody! Hello! like, where you come from, you can make it Hello, hello! Thank you. Everybody, please in America—I can’t imagine anybody em- have a seat. Have a seat. I’m going to see a bodying that better than Mr. Tyler Perry. So whole bunch of you and take pictures in a sec- we’re really proud of him, really proud of ond. [Laughter] him. First of all, I just want to say that Tyler has Plus, his baby is so cute! [Laughter] I was got a lot of responsibilities, but I think one of holding that baby and saying, my, my, my. the responsibilities we’re going to add is to [Laughter] That’s a cute baby. Now, every- have him travel with me and introduce me ev- body’s baby is somewhat cute. [Laughter] But erywhere I go. [Laughter] You know, he’s got objectively speaking, this is a really cute baby. that nice voice and that soothing, authoritative So—got a cute mama—[laughter]—which manner, and I’m thinking that this will really make for—I know about that because I em- work. [Laughter] So we’ll work around your ployed the same strategy, to improve your gene schedule. But thank you so much, Tyler, for pool. [Laughter] But what a blessing. your friendship and your grace and everything And we were talking about how I remem- that you’ve done for so many people and being ber holding Malia and Sasha like that and such a good role model for so many folks com- them drooling on my lapel. Oh, it’s okay. No- ing up. body noticed. There wasn’t any milk in it, Tyler’s story is a singular story, but it’s also so—[laughter]. And then they’re 17, and a vindication of what’s possible in America. they still love you, but don’t find you that in- And this idea sometimes that at times is be- teresting. [Laughter] But that’s part of the trayed, that at times we lose sight of, but this process. basic tenet that if you work hard and are seri- Obviously, this is a challenging day for the ous about your responsibilities, that no mat- country and for me and for the people of ter where you start, no matter what you look Charleston. I spoke earlier today and don’t

713 June 18 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 want to repeat myself, but the folks in that his- have seen their incomes and wages flatline even toric church were people I know. And Tyler as their expenses go up. Too many young people talked about how he grew up in an AME are still priced out of college, and if they do go church, so he knows what Wednesday Bible to college, are burdened with extraordinary study is all about. He’s been one of those 9 or debt. 10 or 15 people studying Scripture and having fellowship and welcoming people and inviting [At this point, a baby screamed.] them in to spread the Good News. And to see such a horrific event unfold like Yes! [Laughter] I think your folks are going that is particularly shocking. And it’s a remind- to be able to pay for your college, but there are er that we’ve got a lot of work to do. a lot of people who won’t—[applause]. Wor- Tyler is right: When I came into office, we ried about it. were going through the worst economic crisis Too many of our young people see the path since the Great Depression. We were still in to prison much more clearly than they do the the midst of two wars. And I could not be path to a college education. Too many of our kids still go hungry in this country. prouder of the work that we have steadily done I was looking at some statistics, because over the last 6½ years to pull us out of that we’re looking at policies around hunger and hole. the SNAP program, and the performance of By almost every economic measure, Ameri- children in lower-income communities in cans are better off today than they were when I school dips at the end of the month in a statisti- came into office. The unemployment rate has cally significant way, in part because they start gone from 10 percent to 5.5 percent. People getting hungry as their food stamps for their who had lost their savings in 401(k)s have seen family start running out which then affects how them not just restored, but exceeding where they perform in school. they were. The auto industry, which was flatlin- There’s so much to do to grow this economy ing with the potential loss of a million jobs, now in a way that’s broad based. We could be in- is thriving, even stronger than it was before the vesting in roads and bridges and airports and a crisis. Housing has begun to recover. new electric grid and put people to work right We produce more energy than ever before. now and lay the foundation for growth for We doubled the production of clean energy— years to come. We should be investing more wind power 3 times as much as when I came money in research and development to cure into office, solar 10 times as much—and as a diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. consequence, we’ve actually been able to re- We should be reforming our criminal justice duce our carbon emissions that cause climate system in such a way that we are not incarcer- change more than any other nation on Earth. ating nonviolent offenders in ways that renders High school graduations are up. College at- them incapable of getting a job after they leave tendance is up. Reading scores are up. Sixteen office—or after—[laughter]—little slip of the million people have health insurance that tongue there. [Laughter] Little Freudian slip. didn’t have it before. The uninsured rate has [Laughter] Tyler is going to give me a job once never been lower in America. I leave. [Laughter] It is true—I think it was We’ve done all this and cut the deficit by Bill Clinton who said—the White House is the two-thirds. And so there’s almost no measure by crown jewel of the Federal penitentiary sys- which one could argue that we have not made tem. [Laughter] significant progress over these last 6½ years. And here’s the thing. Here’s the thing. On But we’ve got so much work to do. There’s so all these issues, we actually know what the so- much that’s left undone. We still live in a coun- lutions are. The problem is not the absence of try in which the idea of equal opportunity is not proven strategies to increase opportunity. We felt, is not experienced, is not lived for too many know early childhood education works; that if young people. Too many in our middle class it’s well designed and you’ve got teachers who

714 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 18 have been trained in early childhood develop- ble, and all kinds of stuff. But this gentleman, ment and you take low-income kids and you he said, I voted for you twice, but I’m deeply give them those opportunities, we know that disappointed. And it went on and on, chroni- they are going to perform better in school, that cling all the things that hadn’t gotten done. they’re more likely to read at grade level when And most of what he said I responded to, I they enter into third grade, which means that think, pretty effectively—[laughter]—because they’re less likely to drop out, which means he seemed to have forgotten everything that they’re less likely to get into the criminal jus- had happened and how he had benefited. But tice system, which means they’re more likely to the core, I think, of his concern, the core of his graduate and attend college, which means they complaint was that he thought that when I got are more likely to get a job, which means that to Washington I could bring people together they are more likely to be productive, taxpay- and make them work more effectively. And the ing citizens. We know that. We know that a fact of the matter is, is that Washington is still dollar we invest in that, we get $7 back. gridlocked and still seems obsessed with the We know that infrastructure spurs on eco- short term and the next election instead of the nomic development and that our future de- next generation. pends on how we invest in research to keep at And on that issue, I had to tell him, you’re the cutting edge of technology in this knowl- right. I am frustrated, and you have every right edge-based economy. We know it. to be frustrated, because Congress doesn’t We know immigration reform would not on- work the way it should. Issues are left untend- ly bring millions of people out of the shadows ed. Folks are more interested in scoring politi- that we could not practically or in good con- cal points than getting things done, not be- science deport and that they would then make cause any individual Member of Congress is a contributions, they would pay taxes, it would bad person—there are a lot of good, well- actually reduce the deficit, increase entrepre- meaning, hard-working people out there—but neurship. We know that. It’s one of our because the incentives that have been built in- strengths as a country. to the system reward short term, reward a po- We know that our kids have to be able to af- larized politics, reward being simplistic instead ford a college education and that those States of being true, reward division. and cities and communities where they’ve got a And as mightily as I have struggled against well-educated workforce, that’s where compa- that, I told him, you’re right. It still is broken. nies want to move to. But I reminded him that when I ran in 2008, I, The problem is not that we don’t know what in fact, did not say I would fix it; I said we works. The problem is, is that too often the po- could fix it. I didn’t say, yes, I can; I said— litical system doesn’t reflect the common sense what? and decency of the American people. Audience members. Yes, we can! I got a letter a while back from a gentleman The President. Yes, we can. And so I said to living in Colorado and clearly an intelligent him, if in fact you are dissatisfied, then writing guy, and he had taken a lot of time to write this a letter to me is nice, but I need you. If you’re letter. And he said, you know, I voted for you dissatisfied that every few months we have a twice, but I’m feeling disillusioned. And the mass shooting in this country, killing innocent good news—I get 10 letters a day out of the people, then I need you to mobilize and orga- 40,000, and I read those 10 each night. And nize a constituency that says this is not normal I’ve given strict instructions to the Correspon- and we are going to change it and put pressure dence Office, I do not just want the nice let- to elect people who insist on that change. ters, and they have followed my instructions. If you’re concerned about racial polarization [Laughter] And I get letters, people say, you in this country, it’s nice to have dialogues are an idiot—[laughter]—and here’s what you around race, but me making a good speech— didn’t do, and here’s the program that is terri- and I’ve made some good speeches on the

715 June 18 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 subject—[laughter]—that’s not going to solve hope what you leave with is that sense that the the problem. What are you doing to reach out in unfinished business we’ve got does not just de- your own community to make sure that that pend on me, does not just depend on the next child who does not look like your child has the President we elect, does not just depend on same opportunities that your child does? How any particular Member of Congress. It de- are you voting when a referendum comes up pends on you. about an early childhood education program? A And in these final 18 months, one of my big- program to encourage college attendance? gest messages is that if we want the change we What kind of mentorship are you involved with? believe in, then we’re going to have to work If you don’t think that we’ve done enough to harder than ever in our own communities and deal with climate change, what are you willing in our own places of worship and in our own to give up to make sure that we have a breath- workplaces and reflect those values and ideals able, functioning planet for our children and and then push this society and ultimately push our grandchildren? Congress in the direction of change. Sometimes, I feel like people forgot the es- The good news is, we can do it. When I stood sence of my pledge when I ran for President. at the Edmund Pettus Bridge with John Lewis What I promised—I said to people, I said, I am to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the not a perfect man, I will not be a perfect Presi- march there, I reminded people of the fact that dent, but I promise you I will wake up every change is never easy. It takes decades of work single day and I will go to bed every single sometimes just to make a little bit of progress. night thinking about how to make sure that or- Sometimes, it takes a century to make a little dinary Americans have a chance. And I will bit of progress. But because somebody took on fight as hard as I can, and I’ll be as honest and that work, successive generations took on that straightforward as I can about what I believe work, America is better than it was. can open up the doors of opportunity to every- And so now we receive the baton and we run body. That pledge I’ve kept. our race, and then we’ve got to hand it off to that But what I also said was that the most impor- beautiful baby of Tyler’s and that beautiful baby tant office in a democracy is the office of citizen. right behind Tyler right now. And if we keep And that’s true for the President of the United that faith and fight off cynicism, then 20 years States, but that will be just as true for me when I from now, 50 years from now, 100 years from leave this office. And it’s true for all of you. now, people are going to say, okay, they ran the And I raise this because you being part of good race, and we’re further along, and America this even is, part of the process of breaking out is better and more just, and opportunity is more of what is a comfortable cynicism that we too real for more people. And that’s why we do what often fall back on, and we just say, oh, that we do. That’s the only reason to do it. place, Washington, doesn’t work, and every- Thank you for being part of that process. body is dysfunctional, or that side of the aisle is God bless you. crazy. And then we just throw up our hands and give up. We can’t afford that, because NOTE: The President spoke at 5:31 p.m. at the we’ve got more work to do. residence of Tyler Perry. In his remarks, he re- So part of what I hope you leave here with is ferred to Gelila Bekele, girlfriend of Mr. Perry, not just a cool picture with me—[laughter]— and their son Aman T. Bekele-Perry. Audio because I look out in the crowd, a lot of you al- was not available for verification of the content ready have pictures with me. [Laughter] But I of these remarks.

716 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 19

Statement on Pope Francis’s Encyclical on Climate Change June 18, 2015

I welcome His Holiness Pope Francis’s en- vulnerable communities, and to encourage re- cyclical and deeply admire the Pope’s decision sponsible stewardship of our natural resources. to make the case—clearly, powerfully, and We must also protect the world’s poor, who with the full moral authority of his position— have done the least to contribute to this loom- for action on global climate change. ing crisis and stand to lose the most if we fail to As Pope Francis so eloquently stated this avert it. morning, we have a profound responsibility to I look forward to discussing these issues protect our children and our children’s chil- with Pope Francis when he visits the White dren from the damaging impacts of climate House in September. And as we prepare for change. I believe the United States must be a global climate negotiations in Paris this De- leader in this effort, which is why I am commit- cember, it is my hope that all world leaders— ted to taking bold actions at home and abroad and all God’s children—will reflect on Pope to cut carbon pollution, to increase clean ener- Francis’s call to come together to care for our gy and energy efficiency, to build resilience in common home.

Remarks to the United States Conference of Mayors in San Francisco, California June 19, 2015

The President. Thank you, mayors! Thank I also want to mention a few outstanding you so much. I love being with mayors. mayors who are getting ready to step down: [Laughter] It is great to be here, although I did Michael Nutter of Philadelphia has done out- worry a little bit that Dennis Johnson would in- standing work; Greg Ballard of Indianapolis, an troduce me again. At the White House, he had outstanding mayor, doing great work with “My the old Bulls theme song, and it set a very high Brother’s Keeper”—thank you; Annise Parker bar, as if I was Michael Jordan coming out. of Houston, I love Annise; and my dear, old [Laughter] And he is a great friend, and I very friend, Michael Coleman of Columbus, Ohio. much appreciate him, as I do so many of the And finally, a great mayor, one of my favor- mayors here. I saw a lot of you in Washington ite people, and I know one of the people all of in January. I thought, I had such a good time, you admire so much, a great mayor, Joe Riley let’s meet this summer as well. And this time, I of Charleston. Joe is back home doing one of a thought I’d come to you. mayor’s sadder, more important duties today. I want to thank our host, San Francisco Obviously, the entire country has been Mayor Ed Lee. He was just in the White shocked and heartbroken by what happened in House for the San Francisco Giants’ champi- Charleston. The nature of this attack—in a onship visit. I know how excited the Bay Area place of worship, where congregants invite in a is over the Golden State Warriors’ champion- stranger to worship with them, only to be ship. gunned down—adds to the pain. The apparent I want to thank two outstanding public ser- motivations of the shooter remind us that rac- vants, Governor Jerry Brown and Leader Nan- ism remains a blight that we have to combat to- cy Pelosi, who are here with us today. And I gether. We have made great progress, but we want to thank this year’s leaders of the Confer- have to be vigilant because it still lingers. And ence of Mayors: Kevin Johnson, Baltimore when it’s poisoning the minds of young people, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and Oklaho- it betrays our ideals and tears our democracy ma City Mayor Mick Cornett. apart.

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But as much as we grieve this particular You don’t see murder on this kind of scale, tragedy, I think it’s important, as I mentioned with this kind of frequency, in any other ad- at the White House, to step back and recog- vanced nation on Earth. Every country has vio- nize, these tragedies have become far too com- lent, hateful, or mentally unstable people. monplace. What’s different is, not every country is awash Few people understand the terrible toll of with easily accessible guns. And so I refuse to gun violence like mayors do. And whether it’s a act as if this is the new normal or to pretend mass shooting like the one in Charleston or in- that it’s simply sufficient to grieve and that any dividual attacks of violence that add up over mention of us doing something to stop it is time, it tears at the fabric of a community. It somehow politicizing the problem. costs you money, and it costs resources. It costs We need a change in attitudes among every- this country dearly. body: lawful gun owners, those who are unfa- More than 11,000 Americans were killed by miliar with guns. We have to have a conversa- gun violence in 2013 alone—11,000. If Con- tion about it and fix this. gress had passed some commonsense gun safe- And ultimately, Congress acts when the ty reforms after Newtown, after a group of public insists on action. And we’ve seen how children had been gunned down in their own public opinion can change. We’ve seen it classroom, reforms that 90 percent of the change on gay marriage. We’ve seen it begin- American people supported, we wouldn’t have ning to change on climate change. We’ve got to prevented every act of violence, or even most. shift how we think about this issue. And we We don’t know if it would have prevented what have the capacity to change, but we have to happened in Charleston. No reform can guar- feel a sense of urgency about it. We, as a peo- antee the elimination of violence. But we ple, have got to change. That’s how we honor those families. That’s how we honor the fami- might still have some more Americans with us. lies in Newtown. That’s how we honor the fam- We might have stopped one shooter. Some ilies in Aurora. families might still be whole. You all might have to attend fewer funerals. Now, the first time I spoke at this confer- ence, in 2008, I said that American cities And we should be strong enough to ac- shouldn’t be succeeding despite Washington, knowledge this. At the very least, we should be they should be succeeding with some help able to talk about this issue as citizens, without from Washington. And as President, I’ve made demonizing all gun owners who are over- it a priority to partner with mayors like you. whelmingly law abiding, but also without sug- That’s why I’ve named three former mayors to gesting that any debate about this involves a my Cabinet. That’s why I asked a former presi- wild-eyed plot to take everybody’s guns away. dent of this conference, Jerry Abramson, to be I know today’s politics makes it less likely one of my top advisers. That’s why my staff and that we see any sort of serious gun safety legis- I work with mayors across the country just lation. I remarked that it was very unlikely that about every day, on just about every issue un- this Congress would act. And some reporters, I der the sun, from school reform to community think, took this as resignation. I want to be policing, from business development to veter- clear: I am not resigned. I have faith we will ans homelessness. eventually do the right thing. I was simply Because mayors have to get the job done. If making the point that we have to move public you’re a mayor, it’s not sufficient to just blather opinion. We have to feel a sense of urgency. on. [Laughter] You actually have to do some- Ultimately, Congress will follow the people. thing. [Laughter] It’s not enough to figure out And we have to stop being confused about this. how do I position myself on a particular issue At some point, as a country, we have to reckon to minimize the possibility that I might get in with what happens. It is not good enough sim- trouble or criticized, because people expect ply to show sympathy. you to trim the trees and pave the roads and

718 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 19 pick up the garbage and educate our kids and But that’s also why we’ve partnered with police our streets. many of you over the past couple of years: to Whatever the problem, large or small, you make real progress on the economic priorities got to do everything you can to solve it. You that matter to middle class Americans. We’re don’t let partisanship stop you. You don’t let working with many of you to help working fam- cynicism stop you. You’re always in the hunt ilies make ends meet and feel more secure in a for good ideas, no matter where they come changing economy. So far, 19 cities have enact- from. ed paid sick leave—sick days; 5 States enacted And I’m going to embarrass Jerry for a sec- paid sick days or paid family leave. Oregon is ond. He took his wife to Paris a few years after set to join them soon. Seventeen States have they got married. And she took in all the splen- raised their minimum wage; 27 cities and dor of the Champs-Élysées. And he took photos counties have taken action to raise the wage as of garbage cans. [Laughter] That’s a mayor for well. you. [Laughter] So she teased him about it. She We’re working with many of you to help said, there’s the Eiffel Tower. There’s the Seine. working families earn higher wages down the And he said, “Those are some beautiful garbage road with skills and education they need. Seat- cans!” [Laughter] And soon enough, downtown tle, a city with a Democratic mayor, Ed Mur- Louisville had garbage cans that looked a lot like ray, just passed universal pre-K. Indianapolis, a city with a Republican mayor, Greg Ballard, is the Parisian garbage cans. [Laughter] starting citywide preschool scholarships. Thir- Laughter That’s a mayor, right there! [ ] ty-four States have increased funding for pre- Somebody who’s always thinking about how to school as well, which means even more young make his or her city better—even on vacation people getting the early enrichment that can in Paris—[laughter]—and stops at nothing to pay off over a lifetime. get it done. Three months ago, I launched an initiative Now, as President, I’m constantly thinking called TechHire to help train workers for the about how we, together, can keep growing the high-skill, high-wage jobs of tomorrow. Twen- economy and growing new pathways of oppor- ty-one communities have signed up for Tech- tunity for the American people to get ahead. Hire so far, and we’re looking to double that And across the country, the good news is, we’re number. So if your town has tech jobs that making progress. And you’re seeing it in your need filling, the people who want to fill them, cities. More than 12 million new private sector come join us. jobs in the past 5 years; more than 16 million We’re working with many of you to generate Americans who have gained health insurance; more high-wage jobs for our workers to fill. more jobs creating more clean energy. Here in Eleven cities have joined a new initiative called California, solar is growing crazy. We’re pro- Startup in a Day to help entrepreneurs apply ducing 10 times as much solar power today as for all the licenses and permits they need to we did when I came into office—10 times; 3 start a business in just one day. Cut the times as much wind power, double the amount redtape. of clean energy. More kids graduating from We’re working with cities to create a net- high school and college than ever before. work of high-tech manufacturing hubs to keep I’m proud of that record. And by the way, America at the forefront of innovation. The we’ve done it while reducing the deficit by first hub in Youngstown, Ohio, is doing cut- two-thirds. You don’t hear that that much, but ting-edge research in 3–D printing and has al- let me just point that out. And I’m proud of it ready attracted tens of millions of dollars in in- particularly when it’s so hard to get anything vestment to the region. through Congress, even when we’re talking So we’re creating jobs, we’re training folks about issues that most Americans outside of for jobs. We’re also working with many of you Washington agree on. to make our streets safer and our communities

719 June 19 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 stronger. More than 230 local and tribal lead- dogmas; they’re recognizing that government ers have joined the “My Brother’s Keeper” ini- has a role to play in helping make for a vibrant tiative and are taking meaningful steps to city and expanding opportunity. change the odds for young people in tough cir- And that commonsense, problem-solving, cumstances. Together, you’re working to curb can-do attitude, that’s what the American peo- juvenile arrests, reduce absenteeism, and ple are looking for. That’s what they need. So I you’re helping these kids imagine a bigger fu- want to say thank you to all of you. You’re set- ture for themselves. ting a good example. Today, at the Lawrence Livermore National Now, second, I also want to say, don’t stop Lab just down the road, more than a hundred now, because we’ve still got a lot more work to students from Oakland and San Francisco are do. We’ve got to keep pushing to grow our participating in the first “MBK Day at the economy so that more Americans who work Lab,” where they can learn about STEM ca- hard feel like their hard work is paying off, reers. which is why I’m working with Congress to And meanwhile, from police holding im- pass new 21st-century trade agreements with promptu town hall meetings in barbershops in higher standards and tougher protections than Charlotte to Boston Police Academy improving past agreements. And I appreciate the help of how it trains cops to deal with young people on many of the mayors here to get that done, be- the job, cities like yours are striving to rebuild cause you know it’s important to your cities. I trust between law enforcement and communi- believe it’s the right thing to do for American ties, making sure police have the resources workers and families, or I would not be doing they need to do their job and making sure that it. I want to thank all of you who helped me every police officer who has an incredibly make that case: that this matters to your cities. tough job is trained in making the kinds of con- We’ve got to keep pushing to put people to nections with communities that engender trust work rebuilding our infrastructure. There’s not and ensure that everybody is treated equally a mayor here who can’t reel off 10 infrastruc- under the law, which makes for smart law en- ture projects right now that you’d love to get forcement and vindicates our values. funding for and that would put people to work So these are just a few of the examples of right away and improve your competitiveness the work that’s being done. And I’d name ev- and help businesses move their products and ery single way that we’re working together to help people get to their jobs. We can keep pay- open new doors of opportunity for the Ameri- ing the costs of patching over our existing in- can people, but we’d be here all day. So here is frastructure: more expensive, less efficient, the bottom line. On America’s most important leading to higher commute times, more waste. economic priorities—from supporting work- That’s an option. Or we can create tens of ing families to improving education, to creating thousands of jobs right now building a 21st- good new jobs, to getting people to those new century infrastructure that makes us competi- jobs, to improving affordable housing, to deal- tive well into the 21st century. That’s what we ing with homelessness—cities are not standing need to do. We’ve just got to convince Con- still. You are moving forward. gress to make it happen. And I need mayors to So I want to say two things to you. Number help, from all across the country. Put some one, thank you. Thank you for your leadership pressure on Congress to get this done. and your vision. And I particularly want to We’ve got to keep pushing to prepare for the thank you because more than just about any impacts of climate change, because it’s science. other office in the land, those who occupy the It’s a fact. It’s like gravity. [Laughter] I—— office of mayor are approaching it in a practical Audience member. Yes, it is. way. Democrats aren’t clinging to dogmas and The President. It is! are partnering with businesses anywhere they A lot of cities have gone far ahead on this is- can. And Republicans aren’t clinging to their sue, along with States. You’re making a

720 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 19 difference right now. You’re not waiting for or 15 percent of everything. That’s not how any Congress. Mayor Roy Buol is here from of us would run our household budget. You’d Dubuque, Iowa. They’ve set a target to reduce cut out things you don’t need, but you’d still their greenhouse gas emissions 50 percent keep the college fund going. You’d still pay from 2003 levels by the end of the next decade. your health insurance bill and your mortgage Just met with Governor Jerry Brown. He’s talk- note. There are things we have to do as a coun- ing about how California, which so often has try to stay ahead. been a leader on environmental issues, is look- Once again, mayors understand that if ing to partner and make a difference interna- there’s a conflict between ideology and reality, tionally. you should opt for reality. Don’t—[laughter]— Today my administration proposed new fuel reality is a stubborn thing: facts, evidence, rea- standards for buses and tractor trailers and son. [Laughter] other heavy-duty vehicles, another important So thanks for your partnership. I want you to step towards reducing harmful carbon pollu- know that as long as I’m in the White House, tion and protecting our planet. I’ve got your back. I love the country, I love the But a lot of this does come down to Con- suburbs, but I’m a city guy. [Laughter] And I gress. I know many of you are worried about know that when cities thrive, suburbs thrive. Congress cutting programs that are important And when cities thrive, farmlands thrive. And to your city’s economic growth. But the battle when cities thrive, States thrive. And when cit- we should be having with Congress isn’t just ies thrive, America thrives. about individual programs. It’s about the fool- You guys are making it happen. I enjoy ish, self-destructive cuts that in Washington working with each and every one of you. And I are known as the sequester, because with the know that each of you takes pride in what sequester, the whole pie is smaller, so protect- makes your hometown unique. You may be ing one program means cutting another one. proud of your pizza or your hoagies or your That’s why you’re facing cuts that don’t barbecue—even though everybody knows Chi- make any sense to things like TIGER grants, cago has the best pizza. [Laughter] You may be which are—you all know are so important to proud of your city’s victory parades, even putting our people to work rebuilding our in- though we’ve got a Blackhawk parade that’s frastructure. That’s the reason why it’s so hard pretty good. [Laughter] I’m sure you’re all very for us to get the funding we need to get home- proud of your parks. We’ve got nice parks. Or less assistance grants, which help some of our the number of sunny days you’ve got, which we most vulnerable neighbors and get them off enjoy half the year. [Laughter] Chances are the streets. That’s why it’s been so difficult to you’ve got a few superlatives ready when—in fund the preschool development grants, which case somebody asks, “What makes your city so help educate our children, which we know if special?” That’s what mayors do. You’re boost- we make that investment will pay off for your ers. cities, your States, and for our country. Yet as unique as your cities are, as proud I’ve been clear: I will not sign bills at seques- of—as you should be of your cities, we always tration levels. I will not sign bills that seek to remind ourselves we’re also Americans. And increase defense spending before addressing we all want an America to be a place where our any of our needs here at home. ZIP Code does not determine our destiny, And I need your help. I need your help, where every kid, in whatever city, whatever Mayors, to talk to your Members of Congress hamlet, whatever town, has an equal shot at to get rid of the sequester once and for all, be- life when they grow up. No matter who you are cause it is harming our cities and harming our or where you come from, you can make it if country. There is no business—no successful you try. business—that if it needed to reduce spending, That’s what’s America is about. That’s what would simply lop off 10 percent of everything you’re fighting for every day. And I’m going to

721 June 19 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 fight right there alongside with you. Thank ed gunman in the June 17 shooting in Charles- you, everybody. God bless you. God bless ton, SC; Secretary of Housing and Urban De- America. velopment Julián Castro, in his former capacity as mayor of San Antonio, TX; Secretary of NOTE: The President spoke at 2:30 p.m. at the Transportation Anthony R. Foxx, in his former Hilton San Francisco Union Square hotel. In capacity as mayor of Charlotte, NC; Secretary his remarks, he referred to Mayor Kevin M. of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack, in his former Johnson of Sacramento, CA; Michael Jordan, capacity as mayor of Mount Pleasant, IA; and former guard, National Basketball Associa- Jerry E. Abramson, Director, Office of Inter- tion’s Chicago Bulls; Dylann S. Roof, suspect- governmental Affairs.

Remarks at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Fundraiser in San Francisco June 19, 2015

Thank you. Well, first of all, I think the Bay just to America, but matter to the world. And Area generally has been a little greedy when it they appear to have done an outstanding job comes to championships. Fortunately, the with their children. I just had a chance to meet Blackhawks—[laughter]—just had their pa- them, and they are all smart and good looking rade, so we kind of wedged our way in between and well mannered. [Laughter] And I think the Giants and the Warriors. that—well, Tom is denying they’re well man- But let me just say that it is actually really nered. Look, the important thing is how they impressive. The Warriors played basketball the act outside of the house. [Laughter] If they put way basketball should be played and are a class on a good show for everybody else, that’s fine. organization. I had a chance to talk to Steve And so—yes, right, happy Father’s Day be- Kerr, who I will eternally be fond of because cause you’ve done a good job, although I know he was a Bull who, receiving a pass from Mi- it was mostly Kat. [Laughter] But I can’t thank chael Jordan, hit a series-winning shot. That’s them enough for everything they’ve done not right. And I talked to Steph as well. Steph had just to support me, but to support the issues come by the White House because, some of that matter to everybody in this room. you may be aware, every time he makes a 3- I want to thank Nancy Pelosi. When Tom point shot, he makes a contribution to pur- gave that list of things that we’ve accom- chase malaria nets. And so he was doing some- plished, the fact of the matter is that none of thing with the State Department, and he those things would have been accomplished stopped by, and could not be a finer young had it not been for an extraordinary partner in man and a better representative of the sport as Congress, and Nancy Pelosi has been that part- well as the Bay Area. ner, and I could not be prouder to work with And so you guys deserve to win. [Laughter] her. This year. [Laughter] And I will welcome them Nancy could not be such a good partner if it to the White House, and I will be pleasant, and I weren’t for the incredible Members of Con- will say nice things about them. [Laughter] But gress who constitute the Democratic Caucus. understand, the Bulls are coming. The Bulls are And I brought my list here because nothing is coming. [Laughter] White Sox. [Laughter] Al- worse than you missing somebody in the ac- though, Cubs, that’s fine too. [Laughter] knowledgments; you will never live it down. I want to obviously start by thanking Tom [Laughter] So I’m just going to make sure that and Kat. They are incredible friends. They are I see everybody here. First of all, we’ve got incredible community leaders, national and in- Barbara Lee. We love Barbara. I’ve got Anna ternational leaders on issues that matter not Eshoo right there. Love Anna. We’ve got John

722 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 19

Garamendi. Where’s John? He’s a big guy so ing a sense of stability in their own finances. he’s hard to miss. There you go. The outstand- The deficit down by two-thirds. Close to 13 ing Ami Bera is here, down from Sacramento. million jobs created over a 5-year stretch. And our a DCCC chair, Ben Ray Luján. And I Millions of people getting coverage for the want to thank Kev Choice, who apparently is first time. But perhaps less noticed, but just as pretty talented. There you go, thank you, Kev. important, people who did—do have health in- So in addition to basketball, I’ve been think- surance having protections they didn’t have be- ing about a few other things. [Laughter] Obvi- fore. There was a gentleman here that I won’t ously, over the last couple of days, the thing point out, but as we were taking a picture said: I’ve been thinking about most is what hap- “My daughter has a congenital heart disease, 8 pened in Charleston. I won’t repeat the com- years old. And her life is going to be better be- ments that I’ve been making about this issue cause she can’t be discriminated against be- because I suspect I’m preaching to the choir cause of a preexisting condition.” That’s also here, but in addition to heartbreak and want- part of what we accomplished. ing to extend love and prayer and support to We have been able to increase high school the families who have been affected; in addi- graduation rates to record levels. College at- tion to marveling at the statements that those tendance rates to record levels. We’re starting family members of those victims made today to to see improvements in early—elementary this suspect; and for them to find the strength school reading scores. We have doubled the to be able to say, “We forgive you,” an expres- production of clean energy; increased solar en- sion of faith that is unimaginable, but that re- ergy by about 10 times, by a factor of 10. We flects the goodness of the American people; in have increased wind power, tripled it, since I addition to all those things, I think it’s impor- came into office. Doubled fuel efficiency stan- tant for us to acknowledge that this stuff hap- dards on cars. I could go on. pens way too often. The point is, there’s almost no economic These mass shootings like this do not hap- measure by which we are not better off than pen in other advanced countries around the when I came into office. We’ve ended two world. They are unique, in their frequency, to wars. We have, by and large, been able to pro- America. And it’s not because there aren’t vio- tect the American homeland, and we have lent people or racist people or crazy people in been able to conduct operations against terror- other countries; it’s that a 21-year-old kid can’t ist organizations while staying true to the law just walk in and buy a firearm and, oftentimes, and our Constitution and our values. We’ve ex- through gun shows, avoid background checks, panded protections and not just tolerance, but and then act on this hatred. And we’ve got to embraced our LGBT community in ways that change that. And it’s not enough for us to ex- might have seemed unimaginable 10 years ago. press sympathy. We have to take action. And it I’m really proud of this record. is not going to happen in this Congress, but we And the reason I’ve been able to do it is, I’ve have to stay on it so that it does. had partners in Congress. As difficult and frus- And that leads me, I guess, to a broader re- trating as the legislative process can sometimes flection on where we are as a country. I could be, I’ve had people who have been willing to not be prouder of the progress that, with the stand up and work with me and sometimes help of Democrats in Congress, and most im- compromise, sometimes take half a loaf, some- portantly, due to the resilience of the Ameri- times suffer attacks from our own base as can people, the progress we’ve been able to ac- much as from the other side. We’ve done the complish over these last 6½ years. And you right thing, and it’s paid off. heard some of the statistics. Unemployment But the amount of work left undone is re- down from 10 percent to 5.5 percent. Stock markable. The challenges, but also the oppor- market and 401(k)s recovered. The housing tunities to continue to grow this economy so market back almost to normal. People regain- that everybody gets a shot, our ability to make

723 June 19 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 sure that the next generation inherits not just a science. And sometimes, he’ll circulate among better America, but a better planet from this our staff the latest picture from the Hubble of generation. The opportunities are there, and some cluster in a galaxy, and it will evoke won- the challenges are significant. And there are der and remind us of what Americans can do two things in particular that these days I’m when they put their minds to it. spending a lot of time thinking about. But a while back, I guess a couple weeks The first is the changing nature of the econ- ago, he put out the new report, new informa- omy. We were talking earlier with a smaller tion about what the climate science is telling group, and I think Tom asked me, why is it that us. And I have to say, it wasn’t something I the country may not fully appreciate how re- should have read right before I went to bed. markable our recovery has been compared to [Laughter] Because the basic estimates were the historical standard after a major financial that by 2050, well within our children’s life- crisis? And I said, well, part of it is we’ve had a times, on our current pace, the oceans go up 20-, 30-year trend in which the middle class maybe 2, maybe 3, maybe 4 feet. By 2300, has seen its incomes and wages flatlined. And which is not in our children’s lifetimes—al- the ladders of upward mobility have been re- though the science is moving pretty quick— duced. And so even though we have overper- but certainly, within the lifetimes of grandchil- formed, relative to other countries and the his- dren or great-grandchildren, it could be 10 torical standard, what we haven’t yet done is feet, 16 feet. The magnitude of the changes reverse that trend of growing inequality, a that could be taking place if we don’t get a han- stressed and static middle class. And until we dle on this are irreversible. And just like is true tackle that, people aren’t going to feel better. in our economy, where if we take some basic They’re not going to feel a sense of optimism. steps now—some of them tough, some of them And the good news is, there are things we common sense—we can reverse some of these know can make a difference there. If we invest trends and really make a difference, the same in early childhood education, and if we do in- is true on climate. frastructure, and if we invest in basic science This is not a situation as if we have to turn and research, and if we make sure that our trading practices with other countries are fair off the lights and go back and live in caves. and are of high standards, and if we don’t shy This is a matter of us taking some basic steps to away from this new economy, but we lean into increase efficiency and expand clean energy it and embrace it—because this new economy production and change our grid and develop is all about knowledge and innovation, and new technologies. And it’s well within reach, that’s who we are as Americans—if we take and we still have time to do it. Part of what’s some basic steps, then we can give people that sometimes, I think, a problem for those who sense of upward mobility and optimism and care about this is we paint such a bleak picture opportunity. It’s there. This is not a technical that people start throwing up their hands and problem, this is a problem of political will. So thinking, well, I guess there’s nothing we can that’s something that I spend a lot of time do about it. And it ends up being self-defeat- thinking about. ing. But the truth is, here there is something And the second thing I spend time thinking we can do. about is climate change, because if we don’t If we can double the fuel efficiency stan- get this right, then no matter how good we do dards of our auto fleet, then lo and behold, we on the other stuff, we’re still going to have can do it with our truck fleet. If Japan is 20- some big problems. John Holdren, physicist percent more efficient in terms of energy use and professor at Harvard, is the head of my Of- in its buildings and its schools and its hospitals, fice of Science and Technology—OSTP. And well, that’s existing technology; we can adapt it John, every couple of days, sometimes once a here. If we know that how we produce power week, will send out a missive from the world of is unsustainable, we have the tools or we’ll

724 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 19 figure out the tools to generate power in clean- Dr. King said, “The arc of the moral universe is er ways if the right incentives are in place. long, but it bends toward justice.” It’s true. The So the good news is, is that we’ve actually, as trend lines are good. But it bends only because Tom said, made extraordinary progress in a people put their shoulder to the wheel and pretty short time with not a lot of political sup- folks like Tom and Kat and Nancy Pelosi and port. Imagine what we could do if Congress ac- Barbara Lee and all the Members of Congress tually started moving with us, as opposed to who are here who know what we need to do, against us. And we’re not going to move the we put our shoulder against the wheel, and we rest of the world unless we move too. The rea- make some progress. son we were able to get movement from China And I guarantee you, we never make as on this issue is because we showed our own much progress as we should. We’re always fall- commitment. We showed our own cards. And ing a little bit short. We’re always a little bit the way we’re going to get India invested in battered and bruised. We’re always a little bit this is because they see us and China doing frustrated. But we make it better. And I tell something. And the way we then get Brazil and these interns, you know what, better is good. other countries is because it starts being some- Better is good. And one of the challenges of thing that is gaining international momentum. our politics today is, is that we forget that. Peo- But it always starts with us. It’s frustrating ple think if we don’t get 100 percent of what sometimes that it has to start with us; it would we want right now, to date, without a single be nice if things happened without us, but they compromise, without having to tack north or don’t. south or east, unless we are immediately grati- So the bottom line is that when I talk to in- fied, then somehow, the whole system is bro- terns—we usually have about a 6-month pro- ken. Well, that’s not true. It’s just hard, be- gram, and I take a picture at the—and I do cause we live in a democracy, and we get in ar- some Q&A, and they ask me, you know, what guments. was your favorite book, and what advice do you But we can make it better. And by making it have? [Laughter] And they’re spectacular, better, we add our little bit to this journey to- amazing young people—they really make you wards progress and more justice and more optimistic—from all across the country. But equality and more empathy and more compas- the most important piece of advice, I think, I sion. And then, we leave some work for our give them is, don’t get cynical. Don’t get cyni- amazing kids to do, because we wouldn’t want cal. I tell them that if there was any time in hu- to solve all their problems for them. [Laughter] man history where you’d want to be born and But the reason we’ve got to start now is be- you didn’t know who you were going to end up cause on at least a couple things—on climate being, it would be now. Because this planet has change and I believe on the growing trends to- never—the people of this planet have never wards inequality—if we don’t get those right been healthier, have never lived longer, have now, then it may be very difficult for them to never been better educated. The world has, fix in the future. Some of these patterns get ir- surprisingly enough, never been less violent, reversible if we don’t get them right now. has never been more tolerant than today. What So let me just close by saying this: If we’re you can’t do is give into this notion that noth- going to make things better, then you’ve got to ing can change because things change all the have a Congress that cares and is willing to do time, and they change remarkably. tough stuff. As I think some of you may have When you look at something like Charles- noticed, it’s not like I agree with my Demo- ton, it’s heartbreaking. But I have told people, cratic Caucus on everything. [Laughter] But guard against this notion that somehow things on 98 percent of things, they’re moving in the aren’t any different than they were 50 years right direction, and I know where their heart ago, because you weren’t living in Charleston, is, and I know what their values are, and I South Carolina, 50 years ago if you say that. know what they care about.

725 June 19 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015

We’re not going to be able to do this be- Thanks very much, everybody. cause you get one President elected. That President has to have some help, and you’ve NOTE: The President spoke at 5:40 p.m. at the got to make sure that you are as invested in our residence of Thomas F. Steyer and Kathryn A. congressional races, our Senate races, as you Taylor. In his remarks, he referred to Stephen are in the upcoming Presidential race. D. Kerr, coach, and W. Stephen Curry II, Ultimately, the most important office in a guard, National Basketball Association’s Gold- democracy is the office of citizen. And Nancy en State Warriors; Michael Jordan, former can’t do it without you. I can’t do it without guard, NBA’s Chicago Bulls; Sam, Gus, Evi, you. My successor will not be able to do it without you. So I need you to feel the same and Henry Steyer, children of Mr. Steyer and sense of urgency. And if you do, put your Ms. Taylor; musician Kev Choice; and Dylann shoulder to the wheel alongside all of us, then S. Roof, suspected gunman in the June 17 there’s cause for optimism, and things are go- shooting in Charleston, SC. Audio was not ing to get better, and all this work will have available for verification of the content of these been worthwhile. remarks.

Statement on World Refugee Day June 19, 2015

Tomorrow, on World Refugee Day, we will ternational community in recognizing the dig- pause to reflect on the millions around the nity, value, and potential of every one of these world who have been displaced from their lives. It is a time to recall this Nation’s proud homes: the hardships they face, the courage tradition of providing support to those who are and resilience they demonstrate, and the dedi- most vulnerable and a moment to challenge cation of those who come to their aid. ourselves to continue being as generous and This year’s commemoration comes as world- resourceful as we can in meeting their needs. wide displacement reaches record levels, with As the largest global donor of humanitarian nearly 60 million people uprooted by wars, vio- aid, the United States supports programs that lence, and persecution. From Syria to Iraq, provide food, water, shelter, and medical care from Burma to Burundi, from South Sudan to eastern Ukraine, the number of displaced and to refugees and other displaced persons. We vulnerable has escalated. The struggles of some thank the aid workers who deliver this assis- are captured in searing images—of people tance, sometimes at great personal risk, and we waiting at border crossings, housed in endless offer our gratitude to the many families who lines of tents, and crammed into rickety boats open their homes to those in need. All the at sea—while those of others, crowded into the while, we express our appreciation for the mil- shadows of large cities, may go unobserved. lions of men and women who, having endured World Refugee Day is a solemn occasion for the struggles of displacement, have contribut- the United States to join our partners in the in- ed so much to the life of this Nation.

Statement on the Observance of Juneteenth June 19, 2015

On this day 150 years ago, more than 2 years was over. They were free. A century and a half after President Lincoln signed the Emancipa- later, Americans still recognize this occasion, tion Proclamation, the slaves of Galveston, Juneteenth, as a symbolic milestone on our Texas, finally received word that the Civil War journey toward a more perfect Union. At

726 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 20 churches and in parks, lined up for parades years ago knew their march was far from fin- and gathered around the barbecue pit, com- ished, our work remains undone. For as long as munities come together and celebrate the en- people still hate each other for nothing more during promise of our country: that all of us are than the color of their skin—and so long as it created equal. remains far too easy for dangerous people to Yet this year, our celebrations are tinged get their hands on a gun—we cannot honestly with sorrow. Our prayers are with the nine say that our country is living up to its highest members of the Mother Emanuel communi- ideals. But Juneteenth has never been a cele- ty—nine members of our American family— bration of victory, or an acceptance of the way whose God-given rights to life, liberty, and the things are. Instead, it’s a celebration of prog- pursuit of happiness were so cruelly snatched ress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most away. Our hearts go out to their families, their painful parts of our history, things do get bet- friends, and the entire city of Charleston. ter. America can change. We don’t have to look far to see that racism So no matter our color or our creed, no mat- and bigotry, hate and intolerance, are still all ter where we come from or who we love, today too alive in our world. Just as the slaves of is a day to find joy in the face of sorrow, to Galveston knew that emancipation is only the count our blessings, and hold the ones we love first step toward true freedom, just as those a little closer. And tomorrow is a day to keep who crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge 50 marching.

The President’s Weekly Address June 20, 2015

Hi, everybody. As President, I spend most gress disagree. That’s why it’s still tied up of my time focused on what we can do to grow there, along with a lot of other good ideas that the economy and grow new pathways of oppor- would create jobs. And eventually, I’m optimis- tunity for Americans like you to get ahead. tic we’ll get this done. And we’ve made progress: more than 12 But America doesn’t stand still. And that’s million new private sector jobs in the past 5 why, on issue after issue where Congress has years, more than 16 million Americans who failed to act, my administration has partnered have gained health insurance, more jobs creat- with mayors and Governors across the country ing more clean energy, more kids graduating to advance economic priorities that most work- from high school and college than ever before. ing families in America are in favor of doing But in a relentlessly changing economy, right now. we’ve still got more work to do. And one of the And we’ve had success. Over the past couple things we should be doing, for example, is re- years, 17 States and 6 major cities have raised writing the rules of global trade to benefit the minimum wage for their workers, 19 cities American workers and American businesses. I have enacted paid sick days, and 5 States have think we should write those rules before China enacted paid sick days or paid family leave. does. That’s why I’ve been working with Con- Thirty-four States increased funding for quality gress to pass new, 21st-century trade agree- pre-K, and 19 cities and States have signed up ments with standards that are higher and pro- for our new TechHire initiative to train work- tections that are tougher than any past trade ers for the high-wage, high-skill jobs of tomor- agreement. row, the kind of jobs that new trade deals I believe it’s the right thing to do for Ameri- would help create. can workers and families, or I wouldn’t be do- Some of these victories have been small. ing it. I believe it’s what will give us the com- Some have been quiet. But they’ve added up petitive edge in a new economy, or I would not to a big difference for working families across be doing it. Now, several Members of Con- America. And that’s what matters to me the

727 June 20 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 most, because it matters to you. On Friday, I NOTE: The address was recorded at approxi- talked about these initiatives and more in a mately 10:55 a.m. on June 18 in the Map Room speech to the U.S. Conference of Mayors. at the White House for broadcast on June 20. Check it out at whitehouse.gov. Some of it The transcript was made available by the Of- might matter to your city. fice of the Press Secretary on June 19, but was Thanks, and have a great weekend. embargoed for release until 6 a.m. on June 20.

Statement on the Rhode Island Legislature’s Passage of Legislation To Raise the Minimum Wage June 22, 2015

I commend the Rhode Island Legislature good for business and the right thing to do. and Governor Raimondo for once again taking This year, more than half of our States guaran- action to raise their State’s minimum wage. tee their workers a wage higher than the Fed- Since I first called on Congress to increase the eral minimum. But despite this progress, we Federal minimum wage in 2013, 17 States still have work to do. I continue to encourage have acted on their own, which will grow the States, cities, counties, and companies to lift paychecks of millions of American workers. their workers’ wages, and I urge Congress to fi- Many private companies have acted as well, nally do the right thing and give America a recognizing that paying workers fairly is both raise.

Letter to Congressional Leaders on Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Western Balkans June 22, 2015

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) June 10, 1999, related to Kosovo, has not been re- solved. In addition, Executive Order 13219 was Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies amended by Executive Order 13304 of May 28, Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the auto- 2003, to take additional steps with respect to acts matic termination of a national emergency un- obstructing implementation of the Ohrid Frame- less, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date work Agreement of 2001 relating to Macedonia. of its declaration, the President publishes in the Because the acts of extremist violence and Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a obstructionist activity outlined in these Execu- notice stating that the emergency is to continue tive Orders are hostile to U.S. interests and con- in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accor- tinue to pose an unusual and extraordinary dance with this provision, I have sent to the Fed- threat to the national security and foreign policy eral Register for publication the enclosed notice of the United States, I have determined that it is stating that the national emergency with respect necessary to continue the national emergency to the Western Balkans that was declared in Ex- declared with respect to the Western Balkans. ecutive Order 13219 of June 26, 2001, is to con- Sincerely, tinue in effect beyond June 26, 2015. The threat constituted by the actions of per- BARACK OBAMA sons engaged in, or assisting, sponsoring, or sup- porting (i) extremist violence in the Republic of NOTE: Identical letters were sent to John A. Macedonia and elsewhere in the Western Bal- Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representa- kans region, or (ii) acts obstructing implementa- tives, and Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the tion of the Dayton Accords in Bosnia or United Senate. The notice is listed in Appendix D at Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of the end of this volume.

728 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 22

Letter to Congressional Leaders on Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to North Korea June 22, 2015

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) Peninsula; the actions and policies of the Gov- ernment of North Korea that destabilize the Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Korean Peninsula and imperil U.S. Armed Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automat- Forces, allies, and trading partners in the re- ic termination of a national emergency unless, gion; and other provocative, destabilizing, and within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its repressive actions and policies of the Govern- declaration, the President publishes in the Feder- ment of North Korea, continue to constitute an al Register and transmits to the Congress a notice unusual and extraordinary threat to the nation- stating that the emergency is to continue in effect al security, foreign policy, and economy of the beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register United States. For this reason, I have deter- for publication the enclosed notice stating that mined that it is necessary to continue the na- the national emergency with respect to North tional emergency with respect to North Korea. Korea that was declared in Executive Order Sincerely, 13466 of June 26, 2008, expanded in scope in Ex- ecutive Order 13551 of August 30, 2010, ad- BARACK OBAMA dressed further in Executive Order 13570 of April 18, 2011, and further expanded in scope in NOTE: Identical letters were sent to John A. Executive Order 13687 of January 2, 2015, is to Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representa- continue in effect beyond June 26, 2015. tives, and Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the The existence and risk of proliferation of Senate. The notice is listed in Appendix D at weapons-usable fissile material on the Korean the end of this volume.

Remarks at the Iftar Dinner June 22, 2015

You don’t have to all be this serious. [Laugh- when Muslims recommit themselves to their ter] Welcome to the White House. Now, I faith, following days of discipline with nights of know that these are the longest days of the gratitude for the gifts that God bestows. It’s a year, which is why I’m so glad that they put the time of spiritual renewal and a reminder of first course down right away. [Laughter] I one’s duty to our fellow man: to serve one an- know you’re hungry, and I promise to be brief. other and lift up the less fortunate. The Koran I want to thank the members of our diplo- teaches that God’s children should tread gently matic corps who are here today, as well as our upon the Earth and, when confronted by igno- Members of Congress and all those serving rance, reply, “Peace.” In honoring these famil- across Government who are joining us. And I iar values together—of peace and charity and especially want to recognize all the inspiring forgiveness—we affirm that, whatever our young people who are here today, many of faith, we’re all one family. whom I’ve put at my table. [Laughter] To all of Our iftar is also a reminder of the freedoms you and to Muslim Americans across the coun- that bind us together as Americans, including try, Ramadan Kareem. the freedom of religion: that inviolable right to Our annual White House iftar recognizes practice our faiths freely. That’s what Saman- the sacredness of Ramadan to more than 1.5 tha Elauf represents. She was determined to billion Muslims around the world. It’s a time defend the right to wear a hijab, to have the

729 June 22 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 same opportunities as everybody else. She do his part to make sure that “Muslims can be went all the way to the Supreme Court, which equal members of society and still hold onto I didn’t do at her age. [Laughter] And she won. their faith and identity.” So we’re very proud of So, Samantha, we’re very proud of you. you, Ziad. When our values are threatened, we come They’re Muslim Americans like Munira together as one Nation. When three young Khalif. And Munira is the daughter of Somali Muslim Americans were brutally murdered in immigrants; she started an organization to sup- Chapel Hill earlier this year, Americans of all port girls’ education in East Africa. She just faiths rallied around that community. And ob- graduated from high school in Minnesota. viously, tonight our prayers remain with She’s already lobbied Congress to pass the Charleston and Mother Emanuel church. As Girls Count Act so that girls in the developing Americans, we insist that nobody should be world are documented at birth, a bill I was targeted because of who they are or what they proud to sign into law last week. She’s even look like, who they love, how they worship. We spoken at the United Nations. I was also not stand united against these hateful acts. doing this at her age. [Laughter] This fall, Mu- These are the freedoms and the ideals and nira is heading to Harvard to continue her edu- the values that we uphold. And it’s more im- cation in public service, which was a tough portant than ever, because around the world choice, because of course she was accepted to and here at home, there are those who seek to all the Ivy League schools she applied to. divide us by religion or race or sect. Here in [Laughter] But we are very, very proud of you, America, many people personally don’t know and I know your community is as well. someone who is Muslim. They mostly hear They’re Muslim Americans like Batoul Abu- about Muslims in the news, and that can obvi- harb, who was born in a refugee camp in Gaza, ously lead to a very distorted impression. and when she was an infant her family moved We saw this play out recently at a mosque in to Houston. After graduating from Rice Uni- Arizona. A group of protesters gathered out- versity, she spent a summer in Gaza working side with offensive signs against Islam and with the U.N. health clinic. After seeing people Muslims. And then, the mosque’s leaders invit- line up whenever new stocks of vaccines ar- ed them inside to share in the evening prayer. rived, she started Dunia Health to improve the One demonstrator, who accepted the invitation distribution of vaccines and tell families when later, described how the experience changed to come in, all over text message. They’ve start- him, how he finally saw the Muslim American ed with Palestinian refugees in Jordan, but the community for what it is: peaceful and wel- program has been so successful that the U.N. is coming. That’s what can happen when we stop looking to expand Dunia’s work to more coun- yelling and start listening. That’s why it’s so im- tries across the Middle East. Batoul, we’re very portant always to lift up the stories and voices proud of you. Congratulations. of proud Americans who are contributing to So, Ziad, Munira, Batoul—they all talk our country every day. And we have a lot of in- about how much they value the opportunities spiring Americans here today. they’ve had to succeed here in the United They’re Muslim Americans like Ziad States. And they also remind us that our obli- Ahmed. As a Bangladeshi American growing gations to care for one another extend beyond up in New Jersey, he saw early on that there our immediate communities, beyond our bor- was not enough understanding in the world. So ders. So tonight we keep in our prayers those 2 years ago, he founded Redefy, a website to who are suffering around the world, including push back against harmful stereotypes by en- those marking Ramadan in areas of conflict couraging teens like him—he’s only 16, I think and deprivation and hunger: the people of Iraq our youngest guest tonight—to share their sto- and Syria as they push back on thebarbarity of ries. Because, in Ziad’s words, “ignorance can ISIL; the people of Yemen and Libya, who are be defeated through education.” He wants to seeking an end to ongoing violence and

730 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 24 instability; those fleeing war and hardship in you do every single day. And that’s what we boats across the Mediterranean; the people of have to continue to do together, here in Amer- Gaza, still recovering from last year’s conflict; ica and around the world. As the Koran teach- the Rohingya in Myanmar, including migrants es, let us answer with “Peace.” at sea, whose human rights must be upheld. May God bless you all. Have a wonderful We’re proud, by the way, to have Wai Wai Ramadan. And get back to dinner. [Laughter] Nu with us tonight, a former political prisoner All right? Thank you very much. who’s working on human rights issues for the Rohingya and equal rights for women. So we’re NOTE: The President spoke at 9 p.m. in the glad to have you here with us tonight. East Room at the White House. In his re- So these challenges around the world and marks, he referred to Samantha Elauf, plaintiff here at home demand the very qualities you in the U.S. Supreme Court case Equal Em- summon every day during Ramadan: sacrifice, discipline, patience. A resilience that says we ployment Opportunity Commission v. Aber- don’t simply endure, but we overcome. That crombie & Fitch Stores, Inc.; Yusor Moham- together, we can overcome ignorance and prej- mad Abu-Salha, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, udice. Together, we will overcome conflict and and Deah Shaddy Barakat, who were killed in injustice, not just with words, but with deeds. Chapel Hill, NC, on February 10. He also re- With what a hero of mine, the civil rights icon ferred to S. 802, which was approved June 12 John Lewis, calls using our feet: getting out in and assigned Public Law No. 114–24; and the the real world to organize and to create the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) ter- change that we seek. That’s what so many of rorist organization.

Remarks on the United States Government’s Hostage Recovery Policy June 24, 2015

Good afternoon. Since 9/11, more than 80 come home, some after many years. Tragically, Americans have been taken hostage by mur- too many others have not. And at this very mo- derous groups engaged in terrorism or privacy. ment, Americans continue to be held by ter- For these innocent men and women—tourists, rorist groups or detained unjustly by foreign journalists, humanitarians—it’s a horror and governments. For them, the nightmare goes cruelty beyond description. For their families on, and so does our work, day and night, to re- and for their friends, it’s an unrelenting night- unite them with their loved ones. mare that the rest of us cannot even begin to As I’ve said before, the terrorist threat is imagine. evolving. The world has been appalled by As a Government, we should always do ev- ISIL’s barbaric murder of innocent hostages, erything in our power to bring these Ameri- including Americans. Moreover, the families of cans home safe and to support their families. Dedicated public servants across our Govern- hostages have told us—and they’ve told me di- ment work tirelessly to do so. Our military per- rectly—about their frequent frustrations in sonnel risk their lives in dangerous missions, dealing with their own Government: how dif- such as the operation I authorized last year that ferent departments and agencies aren’t always attempted to rescue Americans held in Syria coordinated, how there’s been confusion and and Yemen. And there have been successes, conflicting information about what the Gov- such as the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips, ernment is prepared to do to help, how they’ve held by Somali pirates, and Jessica Buchanan, often felt lost in the bureaucracy, and how, in rescued from Somalia. some cases, families feel that they’ve been Of these more than 80 Americans taken hos- threatened for exploring certain options to tage since 9/11, more than half have ultimately bring their loved ones home.

731 June 24 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015

That’s totally unacceptable. Now, as I’ve of good intentions, has let them down. I prom- gotten to know some of these families and ised them that we can do better. Here’s how. heard some of these stories, it has been my sol- Today I’m formally issuing a new Presiden- emn commitment to make sure that they feel tial policy directive to improve how we work to fully supported in their efforts to get their fam- bring home American hostages and how we ilies home and that there is a syncing up of support their families. I’ve signed a new Exec- what I know to be sincere, relentless efforts utive order to ensure our Government is orga- within Government and the families who obvi- nized to do so. And we’re releasing the final re- ously have one priority and one priority only, port of our review, which describes the two and that’s getting their loved ones back. dozen specific steps that we’re taking. Broadly These families have already suffered speaking, they fall into three areas. enough, and they should never feel ignored or First, I’m updating our hostage policy. I’m victimized by their own Government. Diane making it clear that our top priority is the safe Foley, whose son Jim was killed by ISIL last and rapid recovery of American hostages. And year, said, “As Americans, we can do better.” I to do so, we will use all elements of our nation- totally agree. We must do better. And that’s al power. I am reaffirming that the United why I ordered a comprehensive review of our States Government will not make concessions, hostage policy. such as paying ransom, to terrorist groups I want to thank everybody who contributed holding American hostages. And I know this to this review, inside and outside of Govern- can be a subject of significant public debate. ment, some of whom are here today. I espe- It’s a difficult and emotional issue, especially cially want to thank the former hostages and for the families. As I said to the families who families who contributed. I’ve come to know are gathered here today, and as I’ve said to some of these families, often under the most families in the past, I look at this not just as a heartbreaking of circumstances. When her son President, but also as a husband and a father. Peter, also known as Abdul-Rahman, was be- And if my family were at risk, obviously, I ing held in Syria, his mother Paula Kassig would move heaven and earth to get those wrote me a letter. And in it, she described how loved ones back. on clear nights she and her husband would As President, I also have to consider our look up at the stars and the Moon and wonder larger national security. I firmly believe that if, perhaps, their son might be able to see them the United States Government paying ransom too, a reminder of the bond they might still to terrorists risks endangering more Americans share. and funding the very terrorism that we’re try- I’ve called these families to offer our condo- ing to stop. And so I firmly believe that our lences after they’ve received gut-wrenching policy ultimately puts fewer Americans at risk. news no parents ever want to hear. I’ve visited At the same time, we are clarifying that our with them. I’ve hugged them. I’ve grieved with policy does not prevent communication with them. I just spent time with some of the fami- hostage takers: by our Government, the fami- lies, as well as some former hostages here at lies of hostages, or third parties who help these the White House. And needless to say, it was a families. And when appropriate, our Govern- very emotional meeting. Some are still griev- ment may assist these families and private ef- ing. forts in those communications, in part, to en- I thanked them for sharing their experiences sure the safety of family members and to make and their ideas with our review team. In fact, sure that they’re not defrauded. So my mes- many of the changes we’re announcing today sage to these families was simple: We’re not are a direct result of their recommendations. I going to abandon you. We will stand by you. acknowledged to them in private what I want Second, we’re making changes to ensure to say publicly: that it is true that there have that our Government is better organized been times where our Government, regardless around this mission. Every department that is

732 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 24 involved in our national security apparatus cate with families better, with one clear voice, cares deeply about these hostages, prioritizes and that families get information that is timely them, and works really hard. But they’re not al- and accurate. Working with the intelligence ways as well coordinated as they need to be. community, we will be sharing more intelli- Under the National Security Council here at gence with families. the White House, we’re setting up a new Hos- And this coordinator will be the families’ tage Response Group, comprised of senior of- voice within Government, making sure that ficials from across our Government who will be when decisions are made about their loved responsible for ensuring that our hostage poli- ones, their concerns are front and center. Ev- cies are consistent and coordinated and imple- eryone who deals with these families on a regu- mented rapidly and effectively. And they will lar basis will be given additional training to en- be accountable at the highest levels; they’ll be sure families are treated with the dignity and accountable to me. compassion that they deserve. In particular, I Soon, I’ll be designating as well a senior dip- want to point out that no family of an American lomat as my Special Presidential Envoy for hostage has ever been prosecuted for paying a Hostage Affairs, who will be focused solely on ransom for the return of their loved ones. And leading our diplomatic efforts with other coun- the last thing that we should ever do is to add tries to bring our people home. to a family’s pain with threats like that. At the operational level, we’re creating for So the bottom line is this: When it comes to the first time one central hub where experts how our Government works to recover Ameri- from across Government will work together, cans held hostage and how we work with their side-by-side, as one coordinated team to find families, we are changing how we do business. American hostages and bring them home safe- After everything they’ve endured, these fami- ly. In fact, this fusion cell, located at the FBI, is lies are right to be skeptical, and that’s why it’s already up and running. And we’re designating so important, as I told them today, that we will a new official in the intelligence community to be setting up mechanisms to ensure account- be responsible for coordinating the collection, ability and implementation. I’ve directed my analysis, and rapid dissemination of intelli- national security team to report back to me, in- gence related to American hostages so we can cluding getting feedback from the families to act on that intelligence quickly. make sure that these reforms are being put in Third, and running through all these efforts, place and that they are working. we are fundamentally changing how our Gov- In the course of our review, several families ernment works with families of hostages. Many told us they wanted to spare other families the of the families told us that they at times felt frustrations they endured. Some have even like an afterthought or a distraction, that too created new organizations to support families often the law enforcement or military and in- like theirs or to honor their loved ones, such as telligence officials they were interacting with the memorial foundation for Steven Sotloff, were begrudging in giving them information. who wrote: “Everyone has two lives. The sec- And that ends today. I’m making it clear that ond one begins when you realize you only have these families are to be treated like what they one.” As a Government, and as a nation, we are: our trusted partners and active partners in can learn from the example and the strength of the recovery of their loved ones. We are all on their lives, the kind of strength we’ve seen in the same team, and nobody cares more about all these held hostages, including Kayla Muel- bringing home these Americans than their own ler. families, and we have to treat them as partners. Kayla devoted her life to serving those in So, specifically, our new fusion cell will in- need around the world. To refugees in Syria clude a person dedicated to coordinating the who had lost everything, she was a source of support families get from the Government. comfort and hope. Before her tragic death, she This coordinator will ensure that we communi- was held by ISIL in Syria for a year and a half.

733 June 24 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015

And during her captivity, Kayla managed to reunite you with your family. We will not give smuggle a letter to her family. She said: “None up, no matter how long it takes. of us could have known it would be this long, Thank you very much, everybody. but I know I am also fighting from my side in the ways that I am able, and I have a lot of fight NOTE: The President spoke at 12:30 p.m. in left in me. I am not breaking down, and I will the Roosevelt Room at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Diane Foley, moth- not give in no matter how long it takes.” er of James W. Foley, a freelance journalist Today my message to anyone who harms who was killed by members of the Islamic Americans is that we do not forget. Our reach State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist is long. Justice will be done. My message to ev- organization on August 19, 2014; and Paula ery American being held unjustly around the Kassig, mother of Abdul-Rahman Kassig, who world who is fighting from the inside to survive was killed by members of ISIL on November another day, my message to their families who 16, 2014. He also referred to Executive Order long to hold them once more, is that the Unit- 13698, which is listed in Appendix D at the end ed States of America will never stop working to of this volume.

Directive on United States Nationals Taken Hostage Abroad and Personnel Recovery Efforts June 24, 2015

Presidential Policy Directive/PPD–30 U.S. nationals and other specified individuals abroad. It establishes processes to enable con- Subject: U.S. Nationals Taken Hostage Abroad sistent implementation of the policies set forth and Personnel Recovery Efforts in this directive, to ensure close interagency coordination in order to employ all appropriate The 21st century has witnessed a significant means to recover U.S. hostages held abroad, shift in hostage-takings by terrorist organiza- and to significantly enhance engagement with tions and criminal groups abroad. Hostage-tak- hostages’ families. It also reaffirms the United ers frequently operate in unstable environ- States Government’s personnel recovery poli- ments that challenge the ability of the United cy, which seeks to prevent, prepare for, and re- States Government and its partners and allies to operate effectively. Increasingly, hostage- spond to hostage-takings and other circum- takers target private citizens—including jour- stances in which U.S. nationals are isolated nalists and aid workers—as well as Govern- from friendly support. This policy will thereby ment officials. They also utilize sophisticated further important national security and foreign networks and tactics to derive financial, propa- policy interests by strengthening the protec- ganda, and recruitment benefits from hostage- tions for U.S. nationals outside the United taking operations. The United States Govern- States. ment’s response to hostage-takings must evolve with this ever-changing landscape. 1. Policy This Presidential Policy Directive (PPD), in- cluding its classified annex, supersedes and re- The United States is committed to achieving vokes NSPD–12, United States Citizens Taken the safe and rapid recovery of U.S. nationals Hostage Abroad, dated February 18, 2002, taken hostage outside the United States. The along with Annex 1 and Appendix A to United States Government will work in a coor- NSPD–12, dated December 4, 2008. The poli- dinated effort to leverage all instruments of na- cy directs a renewed, more agile United States tional power to recover U.S. nationals held Government response to hostage-takings of hostage abroad, unharmed.

734 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 24

The United States Government will strive to States Government will also provide assistance counter and diminish the global threat of hos- and support services to help hostages and their tage-taking; reduce the likelihood of U.S. na- families cope with the effects of the hostage- tionals being taken hostage; and enhance Unit- taking during the period of captivity, through ed States Government preparation to maxi- the resolution of the hostage event, and mize the probability of a favorable outcome throughout any prosecution of the hostage-tak- following a hostage-taking. ers. The United States will use every appropriate resource to gain the safe return of U.S. nation- 2. Prevention and Preparation als who are held hostage. But the United States Government will make no concessions to indi- The United States Government will take viduals or groups holding U.S. nationals hos- steps to decrease the likelihood that U.S. na- tage. It is United States policy to deny hostage- tionals will be taken hostage abroad. To that takers the benefits of ransom, prisoner releas- end, the Department of State shall continue to es, policy changes, or other acts of concession. assess the threat and security risk for travel out- This policy protects U.S. nationals and side of the United States and provide safety and security information for U.S. nationals and U.S. strengthens national security by removing a organizations operating abroad. Departments key incentive for hostage-takers to target U.S. and agencies shall also support engagements nationals, thereby interrupting the vicious cy- with private entities that raise awareness of the cle of hostage-takings, and by helping to deny risk of hostage-taking and identify best practic- terrorists and other malicious actors the mon- es for preventing hostage-takings abroad. ey, personnel, and other resources they need The United States Government will lead in- to conduct attacks against the United States, its ternational efforts to counter, marginalize, and nationals, and its interests. However, this poli- deter hostage-taking by increasing the costs to cy does not preclude engaging in communica- hostage-takers and eliminating the benefits of tions with hostage-takers. For example, when hostage-taking. This shall include engagement appropriate the United States may assist pri- with foreign governments, international orga- vate efforts to communicate with hostage-tak- nizations, and other relevant nongovernmental ers, whether directly or through public or pri- organizations to encourage them to adopt and vate intermediaries, and the United States implement no-concessions policies and state- Government may itself communicate with hos- ments and to seek commitments to defeat and tage-takers, their intermediaries, interested punish hostage-takers and their aiders and governments, and local communities to at- abettors. The United States Government shall tempt to secure the safe recovery of the hos- also seek to deter the practice of hostage-tak- tage. ing through aggressive interdiction, investiga- The taking of a U.S. national hostage abroad tion, and prosecution of hostage-taking and re- is a violation of Federal law, and the United lated violations of U.S. law, as well as through States Government is committed to prosecut- sanctions designations, as appropriate. ing and punishing individuals and groups re- The safe conduct of Federal business and sponsible for hostage-taking and related crimes duties abroad requires both an effective per- committed against U.S. nationals. sonnel recovery infrastructure and a coordinat- The United States Government will endeav- ed response capability to resolve hostage-tak- or to work closely with a hostage’s family in a ings and similar events. The United States coordinated manner and will proactively share Government will leverage educational and as much information as possible with the fami- training resources to help decrease the vulner- ly, mindful of the need to protect the safety of ability of United States Government officials the hostage, the integrity of any recovery ef- and employees working abroad. Each depart- forts, any ongoing criminal investigation, and ment and agency with overseas responsibilities intelligence sources and methods. The United shall inform its employees of U.S. policy re-

735 June 24 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 garding hostage-takings, and provide person- 3. United States Government Coordination in nel recovery preparation, education, and train- Support of Hostage Recovery ing programs to help their employees under- stand the risk environment, evade capture, sur- The United States Government shall work vive captivity, minimize their vulnerability to diligently to achieve the safe recovery of U.S. exploitation, and enable their recovery from a nationals held hostage abroad. The United threat environment. Departments and agen- States Government’s response—which may in- cies shall also implement individual and orga- clude diplomatic outreach, intelligence collec- nizational protective security measures and en- tion, and investigations in support of develop- sure there are interoperable systems of com- ing further options, recovery operations, and the use of any other lawful and appropriate munications and support for the accountability tools—will depend on many factors. When of United States Government employees. Each considering how to respond to a hostage situa- department and agency shall leverage existing tion, the United States Government shall un- programs or develop new ones to offer tailored dertake those options that are most likely to se- training for those employees who will partici- cure the hostage’s safe release; deter future pate in response management when U.S. na- hostage-taking of U.S. nationals and combat tionals are taken hostage abroad. the financing of terrorist and other criminal Under the direction of the Chief of Mission, enterprises; and protect other U.S. national se- United States Government officials shall estab- curity interests. The United States Govern- lish and strengthen relationships and informa- ment shall endeavor to work with the nation in tion-sharing with partner nations, including which a U.S. national is being held hostage, in- their respective diplomatic, military, intelli- cluding supporting that nation’s efforts to re- gence, and law enforcement counterparts, to cover the hostage. However, in extraordinary pursue opportunities to build hostage and per- circumstances, the United States Government sonnel recovery capacity through security co- may also act unilaterally to protect its nationals operation. The United States Government and national interests. shall establish dialogues with foreign counter- The taking of a U.S. national hostage abroad parts about hostage and personnel recovery requires a rapid, coordinated response from training and local capabilities. The United the United States Government. The Hostage States will also work with international organi- Response Group (HRG), in support of the Na- zations and the private sector, as appropriate, tional Security Council (NSC) Deputies and to resolve ongoing hostage events and to pre- Principals Committees, and accountable to the vent future hostage-takings. NSC chaired by the President, shall coordinate the development and implementation of Unit- When appropriate, the United States may ed States Government policy and strategy with provide training, equipment, advice, and intel- respect to U.S. nationals taken hostage abroad. ligence support to foreign governments to aid The interagency Hostage Recovery Fusion them in achieving the capability to safely re- Cell (HRFC), in support of the HRG, shall co- cover, or to assist in the safe recovery of, U.S. ordinate United States Government efforts to nationals held hostage and to hold perpetrators ensure that all relevant department and agency accountable. Unless otherwise directed by the information, expertise, and resources are President, all such efforts and activities will be brought to bear to develop individualized strat- coordinated among the relevant Federal de- egies to secure the safe recovery of U.S. na- partments and agencies and with the Depart- tionals held hostage abroad. ment of State. This assistance may be provided The Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage by appropriate departments and agencies Affairs, who shall report to the Secretary of through existing programs, within and consis- State, shall lead diplomatic engagement on tent with existing legal authorities. U.S. hostage policy as well as coordinate all

736 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 24 diplomatic engagements in support of hostage b. Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell (HRFC) recovery efforts, in coordination with the HRFC and consistent with policy guidance The HRFC shall serve as the United States communicated through the HRG. United Government’s dedicated interagency coordi- States Embassies that have established Person- nating body at the operational level for the re- nel Recovery Working Groups or other inter- covery of U.S. national hostages abroad. The agency bodies to coordinate overseas activities HRFC shall: (1) identify and recommend hos- in response to a hostage-taking shall ensure tage recovery options and strategies to the that those bodies operate pursuant to policy President through the NSC; (2) coordinate ef- guidance provided by the HRG and in coordi- forts by participating departments and agen- nation with the HRFC and with the Special cies to ensure that information regarding hos- Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. tage events, including potential recovery op- tions and engagements with families and exter- a. Hostage Response Group (HRG) nal actors (to include foreign governments), is appropriately shared within the United States The HRG shall be chaired by the Special Government to facilitate a coordinated re- Assistant to the President and Senior Director sponse to a hostage-taking; (3) assess and track for Counterterrorism and shall convene on a all hostage-takings of U.S. nationals abroad and regular basis and as needed at the request of provide regular reports to the President the National Security Council. Its regular through the NSC on the status of such cases members shall include the director of the and any measures being taken toward the hos- HRFC, the HRFC’s Family Engagement Co- tages’ safe recovery; (4) provide a forum for in- ordinator, and senior representatives from the telligence sharing and, with the support of the Department of State, Department of the Trea- Director of National Intelligence, coordinate sury, Department of Defense, Department of the declassification of relevant information; (5) Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Of- fice of the Director of National Intelligence, coordinate efforts by participating depart- and such other executive branch departments, ments and agencies to provide appropriate agencies, or offices as the President, from time support and assistance to hostages and their to time, may designate. families in a coordinated and consistent man- In support of the Deputies Committee ner and to provide families with timely infor- chaired by the Assistant to the President for mation regarding significant events in their Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, the cases; (6) make recommendations to executive HRG shall: (1) identify and recommend hos- departments and agencies in order to reduce tage recovery options and strategies to the the likelihood of U.S. nationals being taken President through the National Security Coun- hostage abroad and enhance United States cil; (2) coordinate the development and imple- Government preparation to maximize the mentation of U.S. hostage and personnel re- probability of a favorable outcome following a covery policies, strategies, and procedures, hostage-taking; and (7) coordinate with depart- consistent with the policies set forth in this di- ments and agencies regarding congressional, rective; (3) receive regular updates from the media, and other public inquiries pertaining to HRFC on the status of U.S. nationals being hostage events. held hostage abroad and measures being taken Upon receipt of credible information that a to effect the hostages’ safe recovery; (4) coordi- U.S. national has been taken hostage or has nate the provision of policy guidance to the been reported missing in a region where hos- HRFC, including reviewing recovery options tage-taking is a significant threat, any depart- proposed by the HRFC and resolving disputes ment or agency with such information shall re- within the HRFC; and (5) where higher-level port that information, along with any action al- guidance is required, make recommendations ready taken or anticipated in response, to the to the Deputies Committee. HRFC and the relevant Chiefs of Mission. If,

737 June 24 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 at any point in a given hostage event, the United States Government. The Family En- HRFC has reason to believe that a U.S. nation- gagement Coordinator shall ensure that all al is being held hostage by an entity or individ- communications between United States Gov- ual designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organiza- ernment officials and a hostage’s family are co- tion or designated for sanctions by the Presi- ordinated to ensure consistent follow-up on dent, Secretary of State, or Secretary of the questions and requests, and to ensure that any Treasury, the HRFC Director shall promptly relevant background regarding the family’s inform the HRG of the designated individual particular needs is taken into consideration. or entity involved and the circumstances of the The United States Government shall pro- hostage-taking. vide the hostage and his or her family with ap- propriate assistance and support services, in- c. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Af- cluding legally mandated crime victims’ rights fairs and services, to help them cope with the physi- The Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage cal, emotional, and financial impact of a hos- Affairs (Special Envoy) shall report to the Sec- tage-taking. United States Government offi- retary of State and shall: (1) lead diplomatic cials shall, subject to the family’s wishes, main- engagement on U.S. hostage policy; (2) coordi- tain regular contact with the family and ensure nate all diplomatic engagements in support of continuity of care. As appropriate to meet indi- hostage recovery efforts, in coordination with vidual needs, United States Government offi- the HRFC and consistent with policy guidance cials may refer hostages and their families to communicated through the HRG; (3) coordi- nongovernmental assistance organizations. nate with the HRFC proposals for diplomatic The United States Government will share engagements and strategy in support of hos- with a hostage’s family as much information as tage recovery efforts; (4) provide senior repre- possible, mindful of the reliability and credibil- sentation from the Special Envoy’s office to the ity of information provided and the need to HRFC and in the HRG; and (5) in coordina- protect the safety of the hostage, the integrity tion with the HRFC as appropriate, coordinate of any recovery efforts, any ongoing criminal diplomatic engagements regarding cases in investigation, and intelligence sources and which a foreign government confirms that it methods. United States Government officials has detained a U.S. national but the United shall communicate to the family, to the great- States Government regards such detention as est extent possible, information about the cir- unlawful or wrongful. cumstances of the hostage’s abduction and captivity, what options for the safe recovery of 4. Family and Hostage Engagement the hostage the United States Government is The United States Government will treat all pursuing, information about relevant law and families and hostages equitably and fairly while policy, and the roles and responsibilities of respecting their dignity and privacy. All inter- United States Government departments and actions with the family should be undertaken agencies involved in recovering the hostage. with the utmost professionalism, empathy, and When consistent with each family’s preferenc- sensitivity to the psychological and emotional es and the circumstances of the hostage event, disruption the family is experiencing and the HRFC shall coordinate efforts by relevant should be informed by the family’s needs, departments and agencies to ensure that the wishes, and rights. family receives a full informational briefing. The HRFC, through the Family Engage- The United States Government shall share ment Coordinator, shall ensure that all interac- with the family relevant information, including tions with a hostage’s family occur in a coordi- by making proactive efforts to declassify rele- nated fashion and that the family receives con- vant information or providing unclassified sistent and accurate information from the summaries.

738 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 24

The United States Government shall contin- sist in gathering or establishing sources of in- ue to offer appropriate assistance and support formation. services to a hostage and the hostage’s family after recovery and through any prosecution of 6. Prosecution the hostage-takers, consistent with the policies set forth in this directive. The HRFC shall co- The investigation and prosecution of hos- ordinate the delivery of such support services tage-takers is an important means of deterring by relevant departments and agencies, includ- future acts of hostage-taking and ensuring that ing proactive planning for any post-recovery hostage-takers are brought to justice. The support services that will be provided to a hos- United States shall diligently seek to ensure tage, as appropriate. In the event of a hostage’s that hostage-takers of U.S. nationals are arrest- death in captivity or in the course of a recovery ed, prosecuted, and punished through a due effort, the HRFC shall also coordinate efforts process criminal justice system in the United by relevant departments and agencies to en- States or abroad for crimes related to the hos- sure that they provide coordinated assistance tage-taking. and support services to the hostage’s family. The United States has jurisdiction over the taking of a U.S. national hostage abroad, as 5. Intelligence Support well as over other criminal acts that may be committed against the hostage, and the De- The Director of National Intelligence shall partment of Justice will seek to prosecute hos- tage-taking of U.S. nationals and related viola- provide for centralized management of hos- tions of U.S. law in the U.S. court system tage-related intelligence in order to coordinate whenever possible. The Federal Bureau of In- the Intelligence Community’s efforts on hos- vestigation shall investigate violations of U.S. tage-takings and provide synchronized intelli- law and shall collect evidence and conduct fo- gence support to the HRFC. The Intelligence rensics in furtherance of a potential prosecu- Community shall make proactive efforts to de- tion, consistent with its statutory authorities classify relevant and reliable information or and, where applicable, the permission of the provide unclassified summaries to a hostage’s foreign government in whose territory it is op- family. erating. The Intelligence Community shall maintain The HRFC shall coordinate efforts by rele- the capability to provide intelligence collection vant departments and agencies to ensure that and analysis support to allow the United States all relevant material and information acquired Government to respond to hostage-takings of by the United States Government in the course U.S. nationals abroad. Moreover, the collec- of a hostage-taking event is made available for tion, processing, analysis, and dissemination of use in the effort to recover the hostage and, intelligence related to hostage-taking inci- where possible and consistent with that goal, is dents shall be a priority for the Intelligence managed in such a way as to allow its use in an Community when such an incident occurs. In ongoing criminal investigation or prosecution. order to improve the United States Govern- The United States Government shall work ment’s response capability, departments and with foreign governments to apprehend hos- agencies shall leverage appropriate intelligence tage-takers in their territory. In coordination support to pursue diplomatic, military, and law with one another, the Department of State, enforcement actions in response to a hostage- Department of Justice, and Department of the taking. Consistent with other provisions in this Treasury shall engage with foreign govern- policy, United States Government depart- ments to seek commitments to punish hostage- ments and agencies may work with private en- takers and their aiders and abettors. In coordi- tities to further United States Government in- nating with the Department of State, relevant terests to locate and recover Americans held departments and agencies should also work to hostage abroad, including entities that may as- develop the capacity of partner nations,

739 June 24 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 through technical assistance and training in ing the HRFC’s Family Engagement Coordi- best practices, to collect intelligence for use in nator’s proficiency in providing and ensuring hostage recovery efforts while preserving, professionalism, empathy, and sensitivity to the when possible, opportunities for a criminal psychological and emotional distress experi- prosecution by the United States or the rele- enced by families in such cases. Additionally, vant nation. the U.S. response to the detention of U.S. mili- tary personnel by non-state forces in the con- 7. General Provisions text of armed conflict should, in appropriate circumstances, be informed by the law of war. For the purposes of this directive, hostage- This directive does not alter the authorities taking is defined as the unlawful abduction or or requirements applicable to Federal depart- holding of a person or persons against their will ments and agencies under the Constitution, in order to compel a third person or govern- Federal statutes, or Executive Orders or, ex- mental organization to do or abstain from do- cept as set forth herein, alter any existing Pres- ing any act as a condition for the release of the idential Directives. This directive does not ex- person detained. This directive applies to both pand the scope of services otherwise available suspected and confirmed hostage-takings in to lawful permanent resident aliens pursuant which a U.S. national, as defined in either 8 to departments’ and agencies’ existing authori- U.S.C. 1101(a)(22) or 8 U.S.C. 1408, or a law- ties. ful permanent resident alien with significant This directive is consistent with and intended ties to the United States is abducted or held to be guided by the NSC process, as described outside of the United States. This directive in Presidential Policy Directive/PPD 1 of Feb- shall also apply to other hostage-takings occur- ruary 13, 2009, or any successor to PPD 1. ring abroad in which the United States has a Each department or agency shall review this national interest, such as (but not limited to) directive and ensure that its own policies and hostage-takings of individuals who are not U.S. procedures are consistent with the policies set nationals but who have close links through forth herein. family, employment, or other connections to This directive is not intended to, and does the United States, as specifically referred to not, create any right or benefit, substantive or the HRFC by the Deputies Committee. This procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by directive does not apply if a foreign govern- any party against the United States, its depart- ment confirms that it has detained a U.S. na- ments, agencies, or entities, its officers, em- tional; such cases are handled by the Depart- ployees, or agents, or any other person. ment of State in coordination with other rele- vant departments and agencies. In dealing with NOTE: An original was not available for verifi- such cases, however, the Department of State cation of the content of this directive. The re- may draw on the full range of experience and lated Executive order is listed in Appendix D expertise of the HRFC as appropriate, includ- at the end of this volume.

Remarks at a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month Reception June 24, 2015

The President. Hey! Hey! Hey! So this is ing Leader Nancy Pelosi. Give Nancy a big rowdy crowd. I don’t want you guys to break round of applause. I want to thank all of you— anything while you’re here now. [Laughter] advocates, organizers, friends, families—for Thank you, Megan, for the wonderful intro- being here today. duction and, more importantly, the great work Over the years, we’ve gathered to celebrate that you are doing. We’ve got some outstand- Pride Month, and I’ve told you that I’m so ing Members of Congress here today, includ- hopeful about what we can accomplish. I’ve

740