June 17 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 she’s committed to working as a partner to izens, generation after generation, who do leaders with both parties who want to pursue their part to uphold our founding ideals. It reform that continues the trend of a falling comes from an unshakable faith in our ability crime rate and a falling incarceration rate. to stand up for what is right and to admit She understands the importance of protect- where we’ve fallen short and then choose a ing our national security while also securing better way forward. our civil liberties. That’s why she will safeguard That was the cause to which Loretta dedi- the programs that are critical to protecting cated her life long before she became Ameri- American lives and Americans’ privacy. I see ca’s top law enforcement officer. Today, the our FBI Director, Jim Comey, who’s here, and American people can have no greater advocate I know he’s committed to doing the same for their right to equality under the law, no thing. greater partner in securing justice for all than She lives out the words of one of our great- our Attorney General, Loretta Lynch. est Attorney Generals, Robert F. Kennedy: “The glory of justice and the majesty of the law [At this point, Supreme Court Associate Justice are created not just by the Constitution, nor by Sonia M. Sotomayor administered the oath of the courts, nor by the officers of the law, nor office. Attorney General Lynch then made re- by the lawyers, but by the men and women marks.] who constitute our society—who are protec- tors of the law as they are themselves protected NOTE: The President spoke at 11:24 a.m. at by the law.” the Warner Theatre. In his remarks, he re- That’s always been the story of our Nation. ferred to Lorine Lynch, mother of Attorney Our strength does not come from the words General Lynch. The transcript released by the we’ve written on the page or the laws we’ve put Office of the Press Secretary also included the down on the books. It comes from ordinary cit- remarks of Attorney General Lynch. Statement on the Observance of Ramadan June 17, 2015 As the new crescent Moon brings in the sity. In this month of giving, Muslims around holy month of Ramadan, Michelle and I the globe reach out to assist those afflicted by send our warmest greetings to all those ob- conflict, hunger, poverty, and disease. And serving the month of fasting in the United here in the United States, American Muslims States and around the world. Ramadan is a join their fellow citizens to serve the less for- time in which families and communities tunate, hosting interfaith activities that build come together for iftars and prayers in fes- understanding and remind us that we stand tive gatherings that demonstrate the rich together as one American family. The diversi- and diverse traditions of Muslim societies ty and patriotism of America’s religious com- and cultures. munities give strength to all of us, and our It is also a deeply spiritual time of reflec- freedom to worship reminds us of the values tion and renewal meant to increase thankful- we share. ness and consciousness of God’s mercy. Mus- I once again look forward to welcoming lims honor each day of Ramadan as a day of American Muslims to the White House for our patient endurance through fasting, and each annual White House iftar dinner to honor the night as a night of gratitude through prayers. month of Ramadan and recognize the service It is a time to reinforce faith, compassion and of American Muslims from across the country. forgiveness, and perseverance through adver- From my family to yours, Ramadan Kareem. 710 Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 / June 17 Remarks at the Congressional Picnic June 17, 2015 [As the President approached the podium, he sure that we are true to that commitment and pointed to the Presidential seal.] true to those values. And obviously, democracy can be conten- The President. That’s right. It’s the one with tious. There are times where people have the sign on it there. [Laughter] deep, principled disagreements. But I hope Audience member. Yeah! The President. How is everybody doing to- that events like today remind us that ultimate- day? Well, I want to welcome everybody to the ly, we’re all on the same team, and that’s the South Lawn. And usually, it’s broiling hot American team. when we have our congressional picnic, so this I also want to say thank you to the families, is one of those days where we actually welcome because there is enormous burdens that are a little cloud cover. placed on the spouses and the children of I’m going to be very brief because I want to those who serve in Congress. I know—and Mi- shake as many hands as I can, although I want chelle knows really well—the nature of those to warn in advance, I can’t do a selfie with ev- burdens. And for you to sacrifice in your own erybody. [Laughter] ways is the only way that we are able to serve. Audience member. How about a kiss? And so we are very, very grateful for your sup- The President. A kiss I can give you. [Laughter] port and your sacrifice. The—my main message is, as is always true And for the members of the staffs who are at this wonderful event, is just to say thank you. here, we want to say thank you as well, because America faces enormous challenges. We face you make us look good. And you have all the the challenge of making sure that the economy sacrifices, but you don’t always get the atten- works for everybody and everybody has oppor- tion. And we know that you work really, really tunity. We have international challenges from hard to make this possible as well. So we are terrorism to climate change. But the thing that grateful to you. always gives me confidence that we’re going to So I want everybody to have fun. Eat up. meet these challenges is because the American And I do want to also say how wildly impressed people are good and they are decent, and we’ve got a democracy that, as frustrating and I was at the quality of baseball when I went out messy as it can be sometimes, still represents to Nat Stadium the other day. You guys actual- the best hope for freedom and prosperity for ly looked like you knew what you were doing! any society. [Laughter] Flake, I saw you, man, at bat. You And we are the longest continuous democ- were all right. [Laughter] racy on Earth. We have set the model and the So enjoy. Thank you. God bless you guys. tone for people around the world who aspire to Thank you. Oh, and can everybody please give the values that we cherish so dearly. There’s a it up for our outstanding Marine Band? reason why, from every corner of the globe, They’re the best. They can play anything! striving, hopeful, talented people still want to come to the United States of America. And our NOTE: The President spoke at 6:37 p.m. on the job, together—mine as President and those of South Lawn at the White House. In his re- you who are serving in Congress—is to make marks, he referred to Sen. Jeffrey L. Flake. 711 June 18 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 Remarks on the Shooting in Charleston, South Carolina June 18, 2015 Good afternoon, everybody. This morning I like this raise. I’ve had to make statements like spoke with, and Vice President Biden spoke this too many times. Communities like this with, Mayor Joe Riley and other leaders of have had to endure tragedies like this too many Charleston to express our deep sorrow over the times. We don’t have all the facts, but we do senseless murders that took place last night. know that, once again, innocent people were Michelle and I know several members of killed in part because someone who wanted to Emanuel AME Church. We knew their pastor, inflict harm had no trouble getting their hands Reverend Clementa Pinckney, who, along with on a gun. eight others, gathered in prayer and fellowship Now is the time for mourning and for heal- and was murdered last night. And to say our ing. But let’s be clear: At some point, we as a thoughts and prayers are with them and their country will have to reckon with the fact that families and their community doesn’t say this type of mass violence does not happen in enough to convey the heartache and the sad- other advanced countries. It doesn’t happen in ness and the anger that we feel. other places with this kind of frequency. And it Any death of this sort is a tragedy. Any is in our power to do something about it. I say shooting involving multiple victims is a trage- that recognizing the politics in this town fore- dy. There is something particularly heartbreak- close a lot of those avenues right now. But it ing about the death happening in a place in would be wrong for us not to acknowledge it. which we seek solace and we seek peace, in a And at some point, it’s going to be important place of worship.