Administration of Barack Obama, 2011 / June 8

NOTE: The President spoke at 11:38 a.m. in referred to Jill T. Biden, wife of Vice President the Engineering Building. In his remarks, he Joe Biden.

Remarks Honoring the 2010 NCAA Football Champion Tigers June 8, 2011

The President. Hello, everybody. Please So Michelle and I went down with many have a seat, have a seat. Welcome to the White members of the congressional delegation to House. And congratulations to the Auburn Ti- meet some of the folks who had lost loved ones, gers. War Eagle! I notice you all brought some make sure everything possible was being done Alabama weather up here too. to help the community get back on its feet. And I want to start by recognizing some very it was a heartbreaking visit. Coach and I were proud Members of Congress who are here to- just talking about—you don’t understand the day. Members of Congress delegation, where devastation until you see it firsthand. are you? Here you go, all the Alabama crew But what was also inspiring was the amount right here—Shelby, Sessions too. They are of strength and generosity that was shown by very proud. All they do is just talk about you so many people in the midst of so much trage- all, Alabama and Auburn. I don’t know which dy. And that includes the members of this pro- way they—— gram. Two days after the tornado, almost 70 Audience member. Auburn—— Auburn coaches, players, and athletic depart- ment staff, led by Coach, traveled to Pleasant The President. Okay. See? [Laughter] Grove and Cullman to help out with relief ef- . Auburn first. forts. The President. And I want to welcome back And even though one of the toughest hit ar- to the White House—this is a point of personal eas by the storm was the home of the Crimson privilege—the biggest Auburn fan I’ve ever Tide, this team knew what we all know in situa- met: my former Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, tions like this, which is we’re all on the same is in the house, along with my main man Ethan team. We’re all Americans first and foremost, Gibbs—[laughter]—who has inherited the and we’ve got an obligation to support each passion for Auburn that his dad had. Look at other in times of need. Gibbs, has his tie and everything. Come on. So I’ve said before, I will say again, we will [Laughter] continue to stand with the victims of these di- As some of you may know, Gibbs was born sasters, whether they’re in Tuscaloosa or in Jo- in Auburn. His parents worked in the universi- plin, Missouri, which I just visited a couple ty library, so he and his brother grew up watch- weeks ago. We’re going to do this as long as it ing the Tigers play. So earlier this year when takes until families are able to rebuild. the team was making its run to the champion- Now, the reason, obviously, we’re celebrat- ship, Robert was insufferable. He had a little ing today is because of a happier moment for statue of Aubie on his desk. [Laughter] He had the people of Alabama and to congratulate the his son Ethan—he and Ethan would roll the Tigers for winning their first national title since trees in front of the yard after a big win. before I was born. [Laughter] And I’m getting [Laughter] So this is a big day for him. quite a bit of gray hair. [Laughter] So that was Now, this visit was originally scheduled to a long wait for Tigers fans. happen a couple of months ago. But 2 days be- It wasn’t always an easy road. This team fore this team was supposed to be in Washing- played one of the toughest schedules in all of ton, the State of Alabama was hit by a series of last year. In nine games, they devastating tornadoes. came from behind to win, including after being

653 June 8 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2011 down 24–0 on the road to Alabama. Unbeliev- and have waited a generation for a feeling like able—that was an unbelievable game. I this. So I’m sure that I speak on behalf of the watched that game. I’m busy, but I watched team. Everybody here has a little piece of that that game. [Laughter] That was unbelievable. title. As senior linebacker so elo- So I want to congratulate this team once quently put it, “Guys just went out there and again on a great season. I want to thank them fought their behinds off.” That’s what he said: for taking the time during this visit to meet “behinds.” [Laughter] with some local kids from DC and share a little Now, of course, I’ve got to give credit to a joy and inspiration. One of the things that the couple players that haven’t gotten a lot of at- First Lady is constantly reminding our young tention, but did a great job. There’s a guy people about is athletics is not just a spectator named —[laughter]—who had a sport. Even if you’re not going to be a Nick pretty good season and went on to win the Fairley or a Cam Newton, you can still get out . So obviously, that’s really ex- there and move. And so for the players here to traordinary. send that message to young people I think is There’s a guy named Fairley who won the tremendous, and we really appreciate it. Lombardi Trophy—the top defensive lineman So I hope everybody has a wonderful visit, in the Nation. You know, this guy is rough, and once again, I just want to say congratula- Fairley. [Laughter] You don’t want to be tack- tions to an outstanding team and national led by him; you really don’t. No. champions. Thank you so much. Defensive lineman . Cam. Coach Chizik. Thank you, Mr. President. The President. See, he said Cam, so they’re And what an honor and a privilege, obviously, thinking next year in the NFL—[laugh- it is for the whole Auburn family to be able to ter]—they’re not going to be on the same team. stand here in the White House today and re- But as crucial as Cam and Nick were to this ally embrace this moment. And this is not just team’s success, obviously, this is a team sport a great championship team; it’s got great, and you only win it with a team that is passion- great character, it’s got great kids, and they ate and dedicated. They had help from team- care about communities. They care about ser- mates like freshman who vice. They care about doing all the right ran—where’s Michael? There he is down things. there—ran an incredible 37-yard run on that fi- nal drive after everybody except Michael What I’d like to do today is I’d like to intro- thought he had been tackled. [Laughter] Actu- duce one of our seniors, which, by the way, I ally, I give—that was some good coach- really want to say a word of appreciation. So ing—[laughter]—because the folks on the side- many of our seniors that have been—they’re lines were all like, “Get up, get up!” [Laughter] spread out. They’re—they’ve moved on with Teammates like senior Wes Byrum, who their life, decided to come back today just for knew he had to knock the winning field goal this event. through for the guys who had been fighting The President. That’s great. that whole game. Where’s Wes? There you go. Coach Chizik. And it’s big for us. But Kodi Good job, Wes. Burns, one of the most selfless players we have And obviously, Coach Chizik, who in just on our football team, has a special presentation two seasons had helped the Tigers go from to you from Auburn University. good to great. The President. All right, Kodi. What do we And then there’s the Auburn family: the got here? folks who celebrated at Toomer’s Corner no Wide receiver . Mr. President, matter what, no matter what the weather was; on behalf of Auburn football, I want to present folks who haven’t missed a game in decades you with this helmet.

654 Administration of Barack Obama, 2011 / June 8

The President. That’s a nice-looking helmet [At this point, the podium was removed, and there. [Laughter] the President posed for a photograph with Mr. Burns. As well as your exclusive Auburn members of the Auburn University Tigers orga- football national championship jersey. nization.] The President. Exclusive. There you go. [Laughter] NOTE: The President spoke at 3:10 p.m. in the All right. Let’s—we’re going to strike the East Room at the White House. In his re- podium so we can get a good picture. marks, he referred to Robert and Nancy Gibbs, parents of former White House Press Secre- tary Robert L. Gibbs.

Statement on the United Nations High Level Meeting on AIDS June 8, 2011

As we mark the 30th year of our fight against countries build their capacity to deliver better HIV/AIDS, I join the United Nations High health care, including for mothers and children Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS in honoring the with HIV/AIDS. And we will continue to invest memory of all those we have lost to this disease in the pioneering research that holds the and rededicating ourselves to the fight against promise of new treatments and brings us closer this pandemic. Thanks to an aggressive global to cures. response, fewer people are being infected, a di- Still, it is not enough to simply do the same agnosis is no longer a death sentence, and more things the same way. This week’s meeting at people with HIV/AIDS are living long, vibrant the United Nations is an opportunity for all of lives. But so long as tens of millions of people us to do better. More governments need to live with this devastating disease, and so long as contribute to this effort. More awareness is nearly 2 million people die from AIDS-related needed so that no one with HIV/AIDS is stig- diseases every year, we cannot and will not rest. matized or discriminated against. More coordi- As the global leader in the fight against nation is needed so that the investments we’re AIDS, the United States will continue to do making are preventing as many infections, de- our part. That’s why my administration has in- livering as many treatments, and saving as creased funding for the President’s Emergency many lives as possible. No nation can do this Plan for AIDS Relief to record levels, in- alone. Together, we can resolve to meet our creased our support to the Global Fund To shared responsibilities. Together, we can come Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and closer to our vision of a world without HIV/ launched our Global Health Initiative to help AIDS.

Statement on the Retirement of Michael E. Leiter as National Counterterrorism Center Director June 9, 2011

Mike Leiter’s entire career has been one of ing challenging and demanding times, and our service to our Nation, and I know his decision Nation is grateful for his many contributions to to leave the National Counterterrorism Center our safety and security. Mike has been a trust- was undoubtedly a difficult one for him. Serv- ed adviser to me and to the entire national se- ing in two administrations since 2007, Mike led curity team, providing us with an in-depth un- the National Counterterrorism Center with derstanding of terrorist activities that affect our dedication and unwavering determination dur- Nation’s security. I am confident that Mike will

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