Apr. 28 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2009 who were there for us when we needed it So Tony Mullen, God bless you and God most: who pushed us when we were afraid; bless the United States of America. Give Tony who pulled us back when we were headed in a big round of applause. the wrong direction; who refused to give up on us, no matter how difficult we were. I know [At this point, Mr. Mullen made brief re- that’s certainly true for me. I was telling Tony marks.] and his family in the office, Michelle and I don’t come from a fancy background. The only Well, thank you everybody. And with that, reason that we’re here is because at some enjoy the day. I’m going to shake a few hands, point there were people like Tony who helped and I’m sure the First Lady will as well. steer us in the right direction. In recognizing Tony and all of you today, NOTE: The President spoke at 3:25 p.m. in the we’re also recognizing countless others who Rose Garden at the White House. In his re- make the lives of our young people a little bit marks, he referred to Jill Biden, wife of Vice better. And for that, we honor you, we thank President Joe Biden; Rep. James A. Himes; you, today and every single day. and his sister Maya Soetoro-Ng. The transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of Tony Mullen, 2009 Teacher of the Year.

Statement on Congressional Action on Hate Crimes Prevention Legislation April 28, 2009

This week the House of Representatives is our citizens from violent acts of intolerance, expected to consider H.R. 1913, the Local legislation that will enhance civil rights protec- Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention tions, while also protecting our freedom of Act of 2009. I urge Members on both sides of speech and association. I also urge the Senate the aisle to act on this important civil rights is- to work with my administration to finalize this sue by passing this legislation to protect all of bill and to take swift action.

Remarks at a Swearing-In Ceremony for Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services April 28, 2009

The President. Congratulations, Madam that we’ve seen initially in Mexico and we now Secretary. see over a dozen cases here in the United Secretary of Health and Human Services States. Kathleen Sebelius. Thank you, sir. It is something that we have to monitor very The President. Here we go. We’re just going carefully. The officials who have been in to make a brief statement. I am thrilled to charge, including the Acting Director at the have Kathleen Sebelius as my new Secretary CDC, those at Department of Homeland Se- of Health and Human Services. curity, have done an outstanding job, a superb Obviously, we have a lot to do to make sure job, in managing the situation up to this point. that health care is affordable for the American But we need all hands on deck, and so I am people, to deal with critical issues like food thrilled that we have Secretary Sebelius taking safety. But we wanted to swear her in right the reins. She is going to be immediately away because we’ve got a significant public briefed on the issues that we’re working on health challenge that requires her immediate right now. I expect her to hit the ground run- attention, and that is the H1N1 flu outbreak ning, and I have every confidence that given

568 Administration of Barack Obama, 2009 / Apr. 29 her experience as a Governor who’s managed All right, thanks, guys. crises before, who’s worked on public health is- sues since she’s been in public life, she is the NOTE: The President spoke at 8:02 p.m. in the right person at the right time for the job. Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, So congratulations. We are thrilled, and you he referred to Richard E. Besser, Acting Direc- are going to do a great job. tor, Centers for Disease Control and Preven- Secretary Sebelius. Thank you, sir. Honored tion. The transcript was released by the Office to serve. of the Press Secretary on April 29. The President. Thank you.

Remarks on Senator Arlen Specter’s Decision to Join the Senate Democratic Caucus April 29, 2009

The President. Good morning, everybody. I have not represented the Republican Party; Vice President Joe Biden. Mr. President, as I have represented the people of Pennsylvania. we used to say in the Senate, I hope you’ll ex- And I will continue to do just that. As I said yes- cuse a point of personal privilege here. Arlen terday, I will not be an automatic 60th vote. Specter has been my friend and my confidant There have been positions, which I talked about and my partner, and I his partner, in scores and yesterday and will not reenumerate, where I scores of major, major pieces of legislation and stand in a different position from the traditional issues for a long time. And beyond that, Mr. position of the Democrats, and I will continue President, he’s been there for me every time that independence. things have been tough for me, and I hope I have been there for him. [Sen. Specter made brief remarks, concluding as And it gives me great pleasure, great plea- follows.] sure, Mr. President, to now officially be in the When I talked to the President yesterday, I same caucus with Arlen Specter. We’ve ridden said, “I haven’t seen you in the elevator lately.” the train for so many years, we’ve visited each His office used to be right down the hall from other’s homes, our families, that it’s just, as, mine on the seventh floor of the Hart Building, again, a point of personal privilege, it’s just a de- and he hadn’t come back lately, so I said I was light to have no separation. calling him up just to chit-chat. And I got to know the President to some extent in the Sen- [At this point, Vice President Biden made brief ate. I talked too long already, but that’s—Joe remarks, concluding as follows.] taught me how to do that. Just one personal comment: The President So, Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce approached me when he was Senator Obama, a man of immense personal courage and un- before the Democratic primary. And he said, matched integrity, my friend, Arlen Specter. “Tell me, Arlen, if a Jewish kid from Kansas can Sen. Arlen Specter. Thank you. carry Pennsylvania, how can a black kid from Thank you, Mr. Vice President, and thank Kansas carry Pennsylvania?” And I gave him you, Mr. President, for your support and en- some advice, and he became—[laughter]—he couragement. became President of the United States of I was unwilling to subject my 29-year record America. in the United States Senate to the Pennsylvania The President. That’s how it worked. Thank Republican primary electorate, but I am you so much, Arlen. Thank you. pleased to run in the primary on the Democrat- Well, let me start off by just saying I’m ic ticket and am ready, willing, and anxious to thrilled to have Arlen in the Democratic Cau- take on all comers in a general election. cus. I have told him that he will have my full

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