Sexual assault is a pervasive problem in the United States. One in five women report having been raped in their lifetimes, and many experience ongoing physical and emotional trauma related to this crime. The Obama Administration has taken on this serious issue, and has announced new initiatives across the federal government to respond to and prevent sexual […]
Women and girls continue to be significantly underrepresented in the STEM fields – a trend that starts early and comes at a serious cost to both the career prospects of our young women and the success of our economy. By ensuring women and girls receive the exposure, encouragement, and support they need to enter and succeed […]
President Barack Obama strikes the Heisman pose after accepting a football from quaterback Tim Jefferson, left, during the Commander-in-Chief Trophy presentation to the United States Air Force Academy football team in the East Room of the White House, April 23, 2012. The Air Force beat Army and Navy in 2011 to claim the trophy for […]
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., April 23, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) Today, President Obama spoke at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum about honoring the pledge of “never again” by making sure we are doing everything we can to prevent and end […]
If Congress doesn’t act, interest rates will double on July 1 for more than 7.4 million students with subsidized federal Stafford Loans. The average student affected by these changes will rack up an additional $1,000 in debt over the life of their loan. At a time when young people are taking on more and more […]
Every year, thousands of people are impacted by severe weather threats such as tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Last year was the most active year in disasters in recent history, with more than 1,000 weather related fatalities, and more than 8,000 injuries. Every state in the U.S. has experienced tornadoes and severe weather and although some more […]
Over the past two years, President Obama has awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to over 20 Americans who have "performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens." The Medal is among the highest awards a civilian can receive. Recipients come from different backgrounds but share a commitment to a greater cause. […]
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood speaks in Pittsburgh, April 23, 2012. (by Photo courtesy Michael Henninger/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Ed. note: This is cross-posted from the Department of Transportation's Fast Lane blog One year ago, I gathered pipeline operators together and asked each of them to take a serious look at their infrastructure and to identify […]
Today the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and several partners including UNICEF launched “Every Child Deserves a 5th Birthday”. The premise of this awareness-raising campaign is simple: every child should have a chance to reach five. Over 7 million children—most of them in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia—didn’t reach their 5th birthday last year. […]
This morning, President Obama spoke at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to commemorate the Holocaust, saying, "We must tell our children. But more than that, we must teach them. Because remembrance without resolve is a hollow gesture. Awareness without action changes nothing. In this sense, "never again" is a challenge to us all — to pause and […]
