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Home , Colorado Rapids, Conor Casey, Major League Soccer, MLS Cup, Pablo Mastroeni

Administration of Barack Obama, 2011 / June 27

That’s in the best interest of America’s secu- ing Partnership. It’s a partnership that brings rity, and it’s also in the best interest of Ameri- our Federal Government together with some ca’s economy. Even though we’ve turned our of America’s most brilliant minds and some of economy in the right direction over the past America’s most innovative companies and couple of years, many Americans are still hurt- manufacturers. ing, and now is the time to focus on nation- Their mission is to come up with a way to building here at home. get ideas from the drawing board to the manu- Of course, there’s been a real debate about facturing floor to the marketplace as swiftly as where to invest and where to cut, and I’m com- possible, which will help create quality jobs mitted to working with members of both par- and make our businesses more competitive. ties to cut our deficits and debt. But we can’t But they also have a broader mission. It’s to re- simply cut our way to prosperity. We need to new the promise of American manufacturing, do what’s necessary to grow our economy, cre- to help make sure America remains in this cen- ate good, middle class jobs, and make it possi- tury what we were in the last, a country that ble for all Americans to pursue their dreams. makes things, a country that outbuilds and That means giving our kids the best educa- outinnovates the rest of the world. tion in the world so they have the knowledge I know these have been tough years for and skills to succeed in this economy. It means American manufacturing and all the workers rebuilding our crumbling roads, railways, and and families who’ve built their lives around it. runways. And it means investing in the cutting- edge research and technologies that will spur But being here in Pittsburgh, I’m hopeful growth in the years ahead, from clean energy about the future. I’m hopeful when I think to advanced manufacturing. about how companies like RedZone are rein- That’s why I’m here today at Carnegie Mel- vigorating manufacturing or about how what lon in Pittsburgh, one of America’s leading re- started as a small school is now a global search universities. Behind me is a display research university. We are a people who’ve al- from a company called RedZone Robotics. ways adapted to meet the challenges of a new The robots they make are used to explore wa- time, who’ve always shaped our own destiny, ter and sewage pipes and find leaks and and I’m absolutely confident that that’s what breaks before they become expensive prob- we’re going to do one more time. lems. But the folks at RedZone aren’t just Have a great weekend. solving problems; they’re working with unions to create new jobs operating the robots, and NOTE: The address was recorded at approxi- they’re saving cities millions of dollars in in- mately 11:35 a.m. on June 24 in the National frastructure costs. Robotics Engineering Center at Carnegie Mel- This company is just one example of how lon University in Pittsburgh, PA, for broadcast advanced manufacturing can help spur job on June 25. The transcript was made available creation and economic growth across this by the Office of the Press Secretary on June country. That’s why this week we launched 24, but was embargoed for release until 6 a.m. what we’re calling an Advanced Manufactur- on June 25.

Remarks Honoring the 2010 Champion Rapids June 27, 2011

The President. Thank you. Everybody, out that I got the memo and dressed appropri- please have a seat. Now, I just want to point ately in the gray suit. [Laughter]

709 June 27 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2011

Welcome to the White House, and congrat- pionship, —where is Kosuke? ulations to the on winning Right here. I understand that he made a very your first MLS Cup. inspiring speech to the team, but it was in Jap- I want to begin by recognizing anese, so nobody really—[laughter]—under- and Coach Gary Smith for building such an ex- stood what he was saying, but it was really in- traordinary program. spirational, was what I heard. [Laughter] And some of you know, I am a soccer dad This is also a team that makes due without myself. [Laughter] I have watched my share of the high salaries and perks that some other games over the years. And I’m used to seeing teams enjoy. Players can everybody gather around the ball, and then it sometimes actually be seen eating at local res- kind of pops out somewhere, and everybody taurants together after practice. A few guys runs over to the ball. [Laughter] And so I want chipped in to buy a fishing boat that they keep to congratulate all the players behind me for hidden in the parking lot. [Laughter] coming so far since those days, because I’m But while life in the MLS isn’t always fan- sure your parents were thinking the same cy, it serves to bring players closer to each thing—that these guys can’t play. [Laughter] other and to their fans. likes They may not be household names, but the to take food from the stadium and give it to great thing about sports is that, in the end, that the homeless on nearby street corners. Where doesn’t really matter. What matters is how well is Wells? Right here. If a fan wants a player to a team can pull together when the chips are show up at a charity event or help out with a down, and that’s exactly what the Rapids did. nonprofit, all they have to do is ask. These This team had the second worst record of guys show up. More often than not, the Rap- any team in the last year. But they ids staff only finds out about these visits after showed up in close games, they clawed back they happen. from behind. They just kept on winning. And So these aren’t just good players, they’re also when the clock ran out, the Rapids were the good people. And I want to thank them for best team in American soccer. teaming up with MLS today to put on a soccer So this is a testament to players like Pablo, clinic here at the White House for kids from the captain, who played 286 games over 13 military families. You will make their summer, years before finally earning a title. Where are and you will make their parents happier when you, Pablo? Right here. Congratulations. Play- they actually know what to do on the soccer ers like and , field. [Laughter] who were the highest scoring forward combi- So congratulations again to the players, to nation in the league. Where are you guys? the staff, the fans back in Colorado, everybody Omar? And players like Mac Kandji, who fired who is part of this program. Good luck again the cross that led to the championship-winning this , and we hope to see you back here goal, even as he tore his ACL in the process. soon. So thank you very much. Give them a big Mac, where are you? You doing okay? All right. round of applause. But what really sets this team apart is not Colorado Rapids Managing Director Jeff how they play only. It’s also why they play. Plush. So real quick, on behalf of our owner, They have a love for the game that has brought Stan Kroenke, everyone associated with the them together. Colorado Rapids Soccer Club and Major This team obviously has overcome quite a League Soccer, all of our players, fans, it’s our few cultural differences. This is like a mini honor to make you an honorary member, and United Nations right here. [Laughter] You’ve present you with your very own jersey—— got players from Argentina, England, France, The President. That’s good. Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Scotland, and Senegal. Mr. Plush. ——commemorating the 2011 In fact, I heard that the night before the cham- Championship.

710 Administration of Barack Obama, 2011 / June 28

[At this point, the President was presented with The President. Thank you so much. Thank a Colorado Rapids team jersey.] you. This is terrific. Thank you.

The President. That’s a good-looking jersey. NOTE: The President spoke at 1:55 p.m. in the Mr. Plush. As you know, the number 10 is East Room at the White House. In his re- the leader, so—— marks, he referred to E. Stanley Kroenke, The President. Absolutely. That is me and owner, , midfielder, Macoum- Messi. We’re right up there. Absolutely. ba Kandji, forward, Kosuke Kimura, defender, [Laughter] and Wells Thompson, midfielder, Colorado Mr. Plush. So thank you very much. Rapids; and Lionel A. Messi, forward, FC Bar- celona and the Argentine national team.

Statement on National HIV Testing Day June 27, 2011

National HIV Testing Day reminds each of people living with HIV, and reducing HIV- us to do our part in fighting HIV/AIDS and get related health disparities. The strategy’s re- tested. It has been 30 years since we witnessed lease came amid important scientific advances the emergence of HIV, an illness from which to help protect the health of people with HIV roughly 600,000 Americans have died and with and prevent further transmission. One in five which more than 1 million Americans live. Af- Americans living with HIV is not aware of their ter years of critical investments in research, infection, and this research highlights the im- prevention, and care, we now have the tools to perative of making sure people know their HIV stem the spread of the disease and extend the status and getting those who do have HIV into lives of those Americans living with HIV. And for the first time, we have a comprehensive care. plan for addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in All of us have a responsibility to ourselves our country. and those around us to know our status and re- Last July, my administration released a na- duce our risk. So on this National HIV Testing tional HIV/AIDS strategy for the Day and every day, I encourage every Ameri- which commits this Nation to reducing new can to join the fight against HIV/AIDS and get HIV infections, increasing access to care for tested.

Remarks at Alcoa Davenport Works in Riverdale, Iowa June 28, 2011

Hello, hello! Thank you. Please—you can of the National Association of Manufacturers, cut the music. Thank you, everybody. Have a Mary Andringa, is here. The CEO of Alcoa, seat, have a seat. It is great to see all of you. Klaus Kleinfeld, is here; vice president and Good to be back in the Quads. general manager, Davenport, Malcolm Mur- Hello, Iowa! I see a couple of old friends phy, is here. And an old friend of mine who ac- here. I want to start by recognizing a few folks tually drove me around a couple times while I who are with us today. First of all, Governor was traveling around Iowa, Skip McGill, is Branstad is here. Congressman Bruce Braley is here, president of the local USW. here. Congressman Dave Loebsack is here. You know, I know you’ve been seeing a lot Bobby Schilling is here. Michael Freemire, the of politicians around lately. Something tells me mayor of Bettendorf, is here. And Jeff Grindle, that you may see a few more before February mayor of Riverdale, is here. The chairwoman is over. But Iowa, you and I, we go a long way

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