Administration of , 2013 / Mar. 4

Statement on the Death of Harvey L. “Van” Cliburn, Jr. March 3, 2013

This week, we mark the passing of Van Cli- the challenges of international politics and burn, one of the most talented pianists of the contributed to an unlikely thaw in cold war last century and a musical artist of rare dis- relations. He was truly a man of his moment. tinction. At the young age of 23, Mr. Cliburn Like every President since Harry Truman, I swept the world off its feet with his winning enjoyed the privilege of hearing Mr. Cliburn performance at the first International Tchai- play, and I am confident that the enduring kovsky Competition in Moscow, and he quick- beauty of his art will sustain his legendary sta- ly became a beloved ambassador of American tus for years to come. Michelle and I send our culture around the world, especially in the thoughts and prayers to Mr. Cliburn’s loved former Soviet Union. His music transcended ones.

Remarks on the Nomination of Ernest J. Moniz To Be Secretary of Energy, Regina McCarthy To Be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and To Be Director of the Office of Management and Budget March 4, 2013

All right. This is a serious group. [Laughter] place, Mr. Ernie Moniz. So there’s Ernie right Everybody, have a seat, have a seat. there. Well, good morning, everybody. This after- Now, the good news is that Ernie already noon I’ll hold my first Cabinet meeting of my knows his way around the Department of En- second term. And there will be some new fac- ergy. He is a physicist by training, but he also es, and there will be some familiar faces in new served as Under Secretary of Energy under jobs. But there will also be some seats waiting President Clinton. Since then, he’s directed to be filled on a permanent basis. And today MIT’s Energy Initiative, which brings together I’m announcing my plan to nominate three prominent thinkers and energy companies to outstanding individuals to help us tackle some develop the technologies that can lead us to of our most important challenges. more energy independence and also to new jobs. One of those challenges is building on the Most importantly, Ernie knows that we can work that we’ve done to control our own ener- produce more energy and grow our economy gy future while reducing pollution that contrib- while still taking care of our air, our water, and utes to . And few people have our climate. And so I could not be more played more of a role in addressing these issues pleased to have Ernie join us. And he will be than current Secretary of Energy . joined in that effort by my nominee to lead the Steven has helped us to speed the transition to Environmental Protection Agency. more sustainable sources of energy. He’s given Over the last 4 years, Lisa Jackson and her more of our brightest young scientists the op- team at the EPA have helped us to reduce portunity to pursue the ideas that will shape emissions of the dangerous carbon pollution our future. So I could not be more grateful to that causes climate change, put in place the Steve for the incredible contribution that he’s toughest new pollution standards in two de- made to this country. cades. Lisa is now ready for a well-deserved And now that he’s decided to leave Wash- break. And I want to very much thank Bob ington for sunny California, I’m proud to nom- Perciasepe, who’s not only been a great Depu- inate another brilliant scientist to take his ty Administrator, but has also been acting as

163 Mar. 4 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2013 the Acting Administrator. So please, Bob—ev- Burwell, is the right person to continue Jeff’s erybody give Bob a big round of applause. great work. As we move forward, I think there is nobody In the 1990s, when she was, what, 19— who can do a better job in filling Lisa’s shoes [laughter]—Sylvia served under as permanently than my nominee who’s standing Deputy Director of OMB, part of a team that beside me here, Gina McCarthy. presided over three budget surpluses in a row. Now, you wouldn’t know from talking to Later, she helped the Gates Foundation grow her, but Gina is from . [Laughter] And into a global force for good, and then she one of her proudest moments was yelling “Play helped the Foundation expand its ball!” at Fenway Park before a Red Sox game. charitable work. So Sylvia knows her way But Gina has got plenty more to be proud of. around a budget. As a top environmental official in Massachu- But as the granddaughter of Greek immi- setts and Connecticut, she helped design pro- grants, she also understands that our goal when grams to expand energy efficiency and pro- we put together a budget is not just to make mote renewable energy. As Assistant EPA Ad- the numbers add up. Our goal is also to reig- ministrator, Gina has focused on practical, nite the true engine of economic growth in this cost-effective ways to keep our air clean and country, and that is a strong and growing mid- our economy growing. She’s earned a reputa- dle class; to offer ladders of opportunity for tion as a straight shooter. She welcomes differ- anybody willing to climb them. ent points of views. I’m confident that she’s go- Sylvia’s mom is here. And I—Sylvia loves to ing to do an outstanding job leading the EPA. talk about her parents growing up in West Vir- So these two over here, they’re going to be ginia and the values that they instilled in her as making sure that we’re investing in American educators. And I think that reflects everything energy, that we’re doing everything that we that Sylvia now does. And so I’m absolutely can to combat the threat of climate change, confident that she’s going to do a great job at that we’re going to be creating jobs and eco- nomic opportunity in the first place. They are OMB. And those values are especially impor- going to be a great team. And these are some tant to remember now, as we continue to try of my top priorities going forward. and find a way forward in light of the budget But as President, one of the things you learn cuts that are already starting to cost us jobs and very quickly is that it’s not enough just to talk a hurt our economy. big game; the real test is whether your priori- As I said before, the American people are ties are reflected in a budget. And that’s where resilient. And I know that Jeff and Sylvia will the rubber hits the road. That’s where my third do everything in their power to blunt the im- nominee comes in. pact of these cuts on businesses and middle Since I took office, Jeff Zients has served as class families. But eventually, a lot of people America’s first Chief Performance Officer and are going to feel some pain. That’s why we’ve the Deputy Director of the management—Di- got to keep on working to reduce our deficit in rector for Management of the Office of Man- a balanced way, an approach that’s supported agement and Budget. He’s made our Govern- by the majority of the American people, in- ment more efficient. He’s saved taxpayers a lot cluding a majority of Republicans. And I’m of money. He’s stepped in as Acting Director confident that we can get there if people of of OMB not once, but twice, including leading good will come together. up to the fiscal cliff. So there’s no question that So I want to thank Steve and Lisa and Jeff Jeff’s skill and versatility have served the once more for their outstanding service, for all American people very well. I expect it will con- the great work that they’ve done in this admin- tinue to serve us well in the future. istration over the last several years. I want to In the meantime, I am confident that my thank Ernie, Gina, and Sylvia, and their fami- nominee for OMB Director, Sylvia Mathews lies, for agreeing to take on these big roles.

164 Administration of Barack Obama, 2013 / Mar. 4

I hope the Senate will confirm them as soon So thank you very much, everybody. as possible, because we’ve got a lot of work to do and we cannot afford delay. But I can prom- NOTE: The President spoke at 10:27 a.m. in ise you that as soon as the Senate gives them the East Room at the White House. In his re- the go ahead, they’re going to hit the ground marks, he referred to Cleo Mathews, mother running and they’re going to help make Ameri- of Director-designate Burwell. ca a stronger and more prosperous country.

Remarks Prior to a Cabinet Meeting March 4, 2013

Well, this is my 17th meeting with my Cabi- ing to be families and communities that are net; the first one in a second term. And obvi- hurt and that this will slow our growth. It will ously, we’ve got some familiar faces, we have mean lower employment in the United States some new faces, we have some familiar faces in than otherwise would have been. new positions. I want to make sure that I say But we can manage through it, and we’re thank you to all of you for the work that you’ve going to rely on the outstanding leadership of already done and the work that you’re going to all these agencies to make sure that we do be doing. whatever it is that we need to get done to help I want to welcome Jack Lew, former Chief America’s families. of Staff and OMB Director and now Secretary Now, my agenda obviously is broader than of the Treasury. We’re thrilled to have him in just the sequester, because I laid out both in that position. I want to welcome Mr. Chuck the Inauguration and during the State of the Hagel, who’s in the position of Secretary of Union a very robust agenda to make sure that Defense. And to all of you, I appreciate every- we’re doing everything we can to grow this thing that you’ve done. economy and to help families thrive and ex- Obviously, we’re going to be spending some pand their opportunities. We want to make time talking about the potential impact of the sure we’ve got a growing middle class and sequester on all the agencies and missions more ladders of opportunity into the middle across the board. It is an area of deep concern, class. and I think everybody knows where I stand on So, in addition to talking about budget is- this issue. We are going to manage it as best we sues, we’re also going to spend some time talk- can, to try to minimize the impacts on Ameri- ing about making sure that we have compre- can families, but it’s not the right way for us to hensive immigration reform done. And I want go about deficit reduction. to again thank Members of Congress who on a It makes sense for us to take a balanced ap- bipartisan basis are moving forward on that proach that takes a long view and doesn’t re- agenda. We’re going to have the opportunity to duce our commitment to things like education talk about initiatives like early childhood edu- and basic research that will help us grow over cation that can have an enormous impact on the long term. And so I will continue to seek our kids and, ultimately, our growth and pro- out partners on the other side of the aisle so ductivity. We’ll have a chance to hear from Joe that we can create the kind of balanced ap- and other members of the Cabinet about prog- proach of spending cuts, revenues, entitlement ress in reducing gun violence in this country. reform that everybody knows is the right way So one of the things that I’ve instructed not to do things. just my White House, but every agency is to In the meantime, we’re going to do our best make sure that, regardless of some of the chal- to make sure that our agencies have the sup- lenges that they may face because of sequestra- port they need to try to make some very diffi- tion, we’re not going to stop working on behalf cult decisions, understanding that there are go- of the American people to make sure that

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