Administration of Barack Obama, 2011 / Feb. 7 their country. After years of working at cross how to succeed. We are Americans, and as we purposes, the result was one of the most pro- have done throughout our history, I have every ductive collaborations between the public and confidence that once again we will rise to this private sectors in American history. occasion, that we can come together, we can Some, like the head of GM, hadn’t previous- adapt, and we can thrive in this changing econ- ly known the President and, if anything, had omy. And we need to look no further than the seen him as an adversary. But he gathered his innovative companies in this room. If we can family, and he explained that he was going to harness your potential and the potential of head up what would become the War Produc- your people across this country, I think there’s tion Board. And he said to his family, “This no stopping us. country has been good to me, and I want to pay So thank you. God bless you, and may God it back.” I want to pay it back. bless the United States of America. And in the years that followed, automobile factories converted to making planes and NOTE: The President spoke at 11:30 a.m. at tanks. And corset factories made grenade belts. U.S. Chamber of Commerce Headquarters. In A toy company made compasses. A pinball ma- his remarks, he referred to Thomas J. Dona- chine maker turned out shells. Nineteen forty- hue, president and chief executive officer, and one would see the greatest expansion of manu- Thomas D. Bell, Jr., chairman of the board of facturing in the history of America. And not directors, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Ste- only did this help us win the war, it led to mil- phen M. Case, chairman, Startup America lions of new jobs and helped produce the great Partnership; Richard L. Trumka, president, American middle class. AFL–CIO; and Jeffrey R. Immelt, chairman So we have faced hard times before. We and chief executive officer, General Electric have faced moments of tumult and moments of Co., in his capacity as Chair of the President’s change. And we know what to do. We know Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.

Statement on the Southern Sudan Independence Referendum February 7, 2011

On behalf of the people of the United peacefully. At the same time, there must be an States, I congratulate the people of Southern end to attacks on civilians in Darfur and a de- Sudan for a successful and inspiring referen- finitive end to that conflict. dum in which an overwhelming majority of As I pledged in September when addressing voters chose independence. I am therefore Sudanese leaders, the United States will con- pleased to announce the intention of the Unit- tinue to support the aspirations of all Suda- ed States to formally recognize Southern Su- nese—north and south, east and west. We will dan as a sovereign, independent state in July work with the governments of Sudan and 2011. Southern Sudan to ensure a smooth and peace- After decades of conflict, the images of mil- ful transition to independence. For those who lions of Southern Sudanese voters deciding their own future was an inspiration to the meet all of their obligations, there is a path to world and another step forward in Africa’s long greater prosperity and normal relations with journey toward justice and democracy. Now all the United States, including examining Sudan’s parties have a responsibility to ensure that this designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. And historic moment of promise becomes a mo- while the road ahead will be difficult, those ment of lasting progress. The Comprehensive who seek a future of dignity and peace can be Peace Agreement must be fully implemented, assured that they will have a steady partner and and outstanding disputes must be resolved friend in the United States.

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