Administration of Barack Obama, 2009 / Oct. 26

American middle class, keeping alive that most NOTE: The address was recorded at approxi- American of ideals: That all things are possible mately 5:55 p.m. on October 22 in the Red for all people, and we’re limited only by the size Room at the White House for broadcast on Oc- of our dreams and our willingness to work for tober 24. The transcript was made available by them. We need to do everything we can to en- the Office of the Press Secretary on October 23, sure that they can keep taking those risks, acting but was embargoed for release until 6 a.m. on on those dreams, and building the enterprises October 24. The Office of the Press Secretary that fuel our economy and make us who we are. also released a Spanish language transcript of Thanks. this address.

Statement on the Terrorist Attacks in , Iraq October 25, 2009

I strongly condemn these outrageous attacks ple and their determination to build strong in- on the Iraqi people and send my deepest con- stitutions. dolences to those who have lost loved ones. The will stand with Iraq’s peo- These bombings serve no purpose other than ple and Government as a close friend and part- the murder of innocent men, women, and chil- ner as Iraqis prepare for elections early next dren, and they only reveal the hateful and de- year, continue to take responsibility for their fu- structive agenda of those who would deny the ture, and build greater peace and opportunity. Iraqi people the future that they deserve. These Together, we will continue to work for lasting attempts to derail Iraq’s progress are no match security, dignity, and justice. for the courage and resilience of the Iraqi peo-

Remarks at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida October 26, 2009

Thank you, everybody. How’s it going, Jack- Now, military communities like this one take sonville? Let me begin by thanking Secretary care of their own, your people, your families. Mabus for the introduction, for your service, But keeping you strong also takes the civilian Ray. I know we’ve got a lot of naval aviators community beyond the gate. So we want to here, and Ray is a former surface warfare offi- thank Mayor John Peyton and all your great cer. But don’t hold that against him. Don’t hold neighbors, the people of Jacksonville, for their that against him, now, because Ray Mabus is incredible support. Give them a big round of doing an outstanding job as Secretary of the Na- applause. vy. Keeping you strong also takes leaders in Con- I also want to thank all your outstanding local gress, like those here today: two great friends of leaders for welcoming me here today: Admiral yours, Representatives Ander Crenshaw and Tim Alexander, your CO, Captain Jack Scorby, Corrine Brown, who are here. Give them a big and your Command Master Chief, Jeff Hudson. round of applause right here. And a leader who To Chris Scorby and all the spouses who are fights for you as a member of the Armed Servic- with us, you hold our military families together. es Committee, Senator—and Army veter- We honor you and we are grateful to you. an— is in the house. Now, it is great to be here at one of Ameri- Keeping you strong takes something else, a ca’s finest naval air stations. But we also have country that never forgets this simple truth: It’s folks from Mayport and Kings Bay. And we not the remarkable platforms that give the have every service represented: Navy, Army, United States our military superiority, although Air Force, Coast Guard, and United States Ma- you’ve got some pretty impressive aircraft here, rines from Blount Island. I got to admit. It’s not the sophisticated

1583 Oct. 26 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2009 technologies that make us the most advanced After months of exercises in the Pacific and in the world, although you do represent the fu- stopping narcotraffickers off South America, ture of . No, we have the finest you, the Mad Foxes, joined the recovery of Navy and the finest military in the history of that Air France crash off Brazil. After hun- the world because we have the finest person- dreds of combat missions over Iraq and Af- nel in the world. You are the best trained, the ghanistan, when Somali pirates kidnapped best prepared, the best led force in history. Captain Richard Phillips, you, the Fighting Ti- Our people are our most precious resource. gers, were first on the scene. And others We’re reminded of this again with today’s among you, the Nightdippers, were part of the helicopter crashes in Afghanistan. Fourteen carrier group that brought our captain home. Americans gave their lives. And our prayers You’ve delivered medical care to people are with these servicemembers, their civilian around the world, as my wife Michelle saw this colleagues, and the families who loved them. summer when she welcomed back to port the And while no words can ease the ache in their Comfort, including those of you from Naval hearts today, may they find some comfort in Hospital Jacksonville. And like thousands of knowing this: Like all those who give their sailors in today’s Navy, you’ve gone ashore to lives in service to America, they were doing meet the mission of our time, like the Desert their duty, and they were doing this Nation Lions who served in Iraq. proud. They were willing to risk their lives, in Today we also send our thoughts and this case, to prevent Afghanistan from once prayers to all the folks from Jacksonville on the again becoming a safe haven for Al Qaida and frontlines at this very moment: pilots and air- its extremist allies. Today they gave their lives, crews around the world, Navy corpsmen on that last full measure of devotion, to protect the ground in Afghanistan. And those of you, ours. the Dusty Dogs, who’ll deploy next month to Now, it is our duty as a nation to keep their the Persian Gulf, you’re going to make us memory alive in our hearts and to carry on proud. their work, to take care of their families, to But there is no service without sacrifice. keep our country safe, to stand up for the val- And though few Americans will ever truly un- ues we hold dear and the freedom they de- derstand the sacrifices that you and your fami- fended. That’s what they dedicated their lives ly make, day in, day out, tour after tour, year to, and that is what we must do as well. after year, I want you to know this: Your dedi- So I say to you and all who serve: Of all the cation to duty is humbling. Your love of coun- privileges I have as President, I have no great- try is inspiring. The American people thank er honor than serving as your Commander in you for your service. We honor your sacrifices. Chief. You inspire me. And I’m here today to And just as you have fulfilled your responsibil- deliver a simple message, a message of thanks ities to our Nation, your Nation will fulfill its to you and your families. responsibilities to you. Now, being here, you join a long, unbroken That’s the message that I just offered to the line of service at Jacksonville, from the naval inspiring Gold Star families I met with a few aviators from World War II to Korea to Viet- moments ago, families who’ve made the ulti- nam, among them a great patriot named John mate sacrifice and whom we honor. And that’s McCain. You embody that sailor’s creed, the the message I bring to you and all our forces, “spirit of the Navy and all who have gone be- families, and veterans around Jacksonville and fore”: honor, courage, commitment. across America. In recent years, you’ve been tested like nev- You’ve made the most profound commit- er before. We’re a country of more than 300 ment a person can make, to dedicate your life million Americans, but less than 1 percent to your country and perhaps give your life for wears the uniform. And that 1 percent—you it. So as your Commander in Chief, here’s the and those in uniform—bear the overwhelming commitment I make to you. To make sure you burden of our security. can meet the missions we ask of you, we are

1584 Administration of Barack Obama, 2009 / Oct. 26 increasing the defense budget, including spend- And finally, we pledge to be there when you ing on the Navy and Marine Corps. This week come home. We’re improving care for our I’ll sign that defense authorization bill into law. wounded warriors, especially those with post- To make sure we’re spending our defense traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. dollars wisely, we’re cutting tens of billions of We’re funding the post-9/11 GI bill to give you dollars in waste and projects that even the mili- and your families the chance to pursue your tary says it doesn’t need, so that that money can dreams. And we are making the biggest com- be better spent on taking care of you and your mitment to our veterans—the largest percent- families and building the 20th—21st-century age increase in the VA budget, even when we’ve military that we do need. got very difficult times fiscally—in more than To make sure we have the right force struc- 30 years. ture, we’ve halted reductions in Navy personnel Now, these are the commitments I make to and increased the size of the Marine Corps. you, the obligations that your country is honor And this year—the first time in the history of bound to uphold. Because you’ve always taken the All-Volunteer Force—the Navy and every care of America, and America must take care of component of every branch of the military, ac- you always. tive, Guard, and Reserve, met or exceeded their And know this. It’s the spirit you live by every recruiting and retention goals. And yes, that’s day. It’s the pride, and yes, sometimes the anxi- due in part to tough economic times, but I say ety, when you wave goodbye to your loved ones it’s also a testament to you and everyone who on the tarmac. It’s the joy and relief when those volunteers to serve. loved ones come safely home. It’s the dignity To make sure you’re not bearing the burden and respect you show every fallen warrior who of our security alone, we’re enlisting all ele- comes home to Jacksonville, like the Navy avia- ments of our national power: diplomacy, devel- tor you honored 2 months ago. opment, and a positive vision of American lead- Captain Michael Scott Speicher, kid from ership in the world. Orange Park, loving husband, devoted father, And while I will never hesitate to use force to based at Cecil Field not far from here. On the protect the American people or our vital inter- first day of Operation Desert Storm, he was tak- ests, I also promise you this, and this is very im- en from us. And in the long years that followed, portant as we consider our next steps in Afghan- a Navy family and this city would endure the istan: I will never rush the solemn decision of heartache of the unknown. sending you into harm’s way. I won’t risk your Through all those years, no one missed Scott lives unless it is absolutely necessary. And if it is more or fought harder to bring him home than necessary, we will back you up to the hilt, be- his wife Joanne, his friend and former Navy pi- cause you deserve the strategy, the clear mis- lot Buddy Harris, their children Meghan, Mi- sion, and the defined goals as well as the equip- chael, Madison, and Makenzie. They were ment and support that you need to get the job among the Gold Star families I met with, and done. We are not going to have a situation in we thank them for being here with us today. which you are not fully supported back here at Where are they? Please stand up. Stand up, home. That is a promise that I will always make guys. to you. This summer, the news came. After 18 years, Now, as you meet your missions around the after all the dashed hopes, we found him. world, we will take care of your families here at Scott’s remains were finally coming home. The home. That’s why Michelle has been visiting evening news and the morning papers told the bases across the country. That’s why the Recov- story of that day, but few told the story of the ery Act is funding projects like improvements to days that followed. your hospital and a new child development cen- It’s the story of how you greeted the plane ter at Mayport. It’s why we’re increasing your upon landing—hundreds of sailors—and es- pay, increasing childcare, helping families deal corted Scott’s flag-draped casket to your chapel; with the stress and separation of war. how Navy honor guards kept constant vigil

1585 Oct. 26 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2009 through the night as so many of you passed by That’s the spirit we see here today. You, to pay your respects; how thousands of men and women devoted to each other and to you—sailors and civilians—lined the streets of your country, and a proud country devoted to this base as you gave Scott back to the city he you. The example you set for all of us, That if loved. That’s what you did, that’s what you do, you can come together, from every corner of not only for Scott, but for all the fallen war- America, every color, faith, creed, every back- riors you bring home. ground and belief, to take care of each other It’s the story of how that procession re- and to serve together, to succeed together, traced the steps of Scott’s life, past the Jack- then so can we all. So can America. sonville veterans memorial that now bears his So thank you for your service. And thank name, past the church where he worshiped, you for reminding us of the country we can the high school where he excelled, and Cecil and must always be. God bless you, Jackson- Field where he served. ville. And God bless the United States of It’s the story of how Jacksonville seemed to America. Thank you very much. come to a standstill as people lined street after street to honor one of their own: Scott’s NOTE: The President spoke at 3:29 p.m. In his friends but also total strangers, police and fire- remarks, he referred to Rear Adm. Townsend fighters standing at attention, small children G. “Tim” Alexander, USN, commander, Navy holding American flags, graying veterans giv- Region Southwest; and Capt. John C. Scorby, ing a firm salute. And then, as Scott was finally Jr., USN, commanding officer, and Command laid to rest, a final fitting tribute, his old squad- Master Chief Jeffrey S. Hudson, USN, Naval ron roared overhead, high across the sky. Air Station Jacksonville, FL.

Statement on the 15th Anniversary of the Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty October 26, 2009

Today marks the anniversary of the peace can help change the course of history. Today treaty between Jordan and Israel, signed 15 we honor the foresight of these leaders who years ago near the Israeli-Jordanian border. As stared down the past’s doubters and stood to- we honor this historic event, we remember gether in the interest of common progress. As that peace is always possible despite seemingly we work with Arabs and Israelis to expand the insurmountable obstacles. The courage of circle of peace, we take inspiration from what King Hussein and Prime Minister Rabin dem- Jordan and Israel achieved 15 years ago, know- onstrated that a commitment to communica- ing that the destination is worthy of the strug- tion, cooperation, and genuine reconciliation gle.

Remarks at a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Reception in Miami, Florida October 26, 2009

The President. Hello, Miami. Thank you, there are some formal acknowledgements that guys. This is a pretty enthusiastic crowd here. I want to make. Audience member. I love you, man! First of all, one of the greatest partners I The President. I love you back. What did could ever ask for in turning this country Bill Nelson say to you all to get you just—[ap- around—we are so proud of her—please give plause]? All right, I can tell this is a somewhat a huge round of applause to Nancy Pelosi. informal crowd here. [Laughter] Nevertheless, She’s got a pretty impressive team: one guy

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