Black Caucus Submits Questions for Sup. Court Nominee Elena Kagan

As Senate hearings begin today, the Congressional Black Caucus sent questions to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick J. Leahy requesting that Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan be asked to respond.

The letter signed by CBC Chair, Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chair of the CBC Judicial Nominations Taskforce, applauds Kagan’s outstanding background and President Obama for nominating “a person who understands the real-world consequences of judicial decisions.” However, the CBC submitted questions to clarify issues related to race and criminal justice.

The complete letter is below.

June 28, 2010

Senator Patrick J. Leahy
Chairman
Committee on the Judiciary
224 Dirsken Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Chairman Leahy:

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) believes that Elena Kagan possesses outstanding academic and professional credentials, and applauds President Obama for nominating a person who understands the real-world consequences of judicial decisions. However, the CBC has questions about the more »

Statement by the President Obama on National HIV Testing Day

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of AIDS is six times higher in African-Americans than among Whites. The following is a statement from President Obama on National HIV Testing Day.

“This Sunday is National HIV Testing Day, an occasion to raise awareness of the steps each of us can take as individuals to fight HIV/AIDS. As we mark this day, I would like to renew my call for all Americans to help reduce the risk of infection by getting tested for HIV and learning their HIV status. One in five Americans who are currently living with HIV– more than 230,000 people — do not know their status. The majority of HIV infections are spread by those who are unaware that they have the disease. And research shows that people who know their status take better care of themselves and take steps to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others. That is why it is so important that people get tested.

In recent years, we have made huge advances in HIV research, prevention and care. Still, HIV and AIDS remains an epidemic in this country. That is why my Administration is launching in the coming days a comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy focused onreducing new HIV infections, increasing access to care, and reducing HIV-related health disparities. But government cannot address this important issue alone. We need the commitment of businesses, churches and faith groups, philanthropic organizations, the scientific and medical communities, educational institutions and others. And all of us have a responsibility to reduce our risk and know our status, to continue to support those already affected by this disease, and to fight the stigma and discrimination people still face. So on this National HIV Testing Day, let us all recommit to do our part to help stop the spread of HIV and AIDS.”

First Lady Michelle Obama Has Busy Weekend Planned for G20 Summit

First Lady Michelle Obama will travel to Toronto, Canada to participate in the G20 Summit spousal program this weekend. On Saturday, Mrs. Obama will join President Obama at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, where a special arrival ceremony will take place. She will then attend a spousal dinner. Sunday morning, she will attend a brunch that will include Canadian women of distinction.

President Obama Calls Afghan President Karzai

In a call earlier today, President Obama informed President Hamid Karzai of his decision to accept General Stanley McChrystal’s resignation and his intent to nominate General David Petraeus to assume command of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Both leaders expressed admiration and praise for General McChrystal’s leadership and service over the past year. President Obama underscored that this personnel change in no way impacts United States policy in Afghanistan or the level of our commitment to Afghanistan’s future. The President also emphasized that the United States and Afghanistan must continue to work together to sustain the momentum against the Taliban building on the constructive VTC that the two leaders held yesterday. President Karzai welcomed the nomination of General Petraeus and assured President Obama that he would take all steps necessary to support a successful transition.

Family of Black Tea Party Supporters Speak Out Against President Obama

From top to bottom: Lloyd Marcus (onstage at a Tea Party rally in Washington, D.C.), his father Lloyd Marcus Sr., and his brother Aaron Marcus (both at the same rally).

White House Issues New Flow Rate Estimates on Oil Spill

Based on updated information and scientific assessments, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, and Chair of the National Incident Command’s Flow Rate Technical Group (FRTG) Dr. Marcia McNutt (Director of the U.S. Geological Survey) today announced an improved estimate of how much oil is flowing from the leaking BP well.

Secretary Chu, Secretary Salazar, and Dr. McNutt convened a group of federal and independent scientists on Monday to discuss new analyses and data points obtained over the weekend to produce updated flow rate estimates. Working together, U.S. government and independent scientists estimate that the most likely flow rate of oil today is between 35,000 and 60,000 barrels per day. The improved estimate is based on more and better data that is now available and that helps increase the scientific confidence in the accuracy of the estimate.
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President Obama Issues Proclamation for African-American Music Appreciation Month

The following statement was released by President Obama African-American Music Appreciation Month in June:

“Music can tell a story, assuage our sorrows, provide blessing and redemption, and express a soul’s sublime and powerful beauty. It inspires us daily, giving voice to the human spirit. For many, including the African-American community, music unites individuals through a shared heritage. During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we celebrate the extraordinary legacy of African-American singers, composers, and musicians, as well as their indelible contributions to our Nation and our world.”
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United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk Involved in a Car Accident

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk was involved in a car accident in Dallas, Texas. Ambassador Kirk was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released. No one was seriously injured in the accident.

Ambassador Kirk remains in Dallas with his family. His immediate schedule of meetings and public events, including this week’s planned trip to Sapporo, Japan for the APEC meeting of Ministers Related to Trade has been canceled.

Deputy United States Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis will lead the USTR delegation to the APEC meeting, joined by US Ambassador to the WTO Michael Punke, Assistant US Trade Representative Wendy Cutler and other USTR officials.

Michelle Obama Gives Rousing Speech at George Washington University

From the White House blog:

In the fall, First Lady Michelle Obama issued a challenge to George Washington University students, faculty, staff and trustees to perform 100,000 hours of community service, promising she’d speak at their graduation if they rose to it. They did and, as a woman of her word, Mrs. Obama delivered the commencement address to the Class of 2010 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

From digging neighbors out after “Snowmageddon” to restoring a local high school to running a clinic for those in need of medical aid to a host of global service projects, Obama was impressed by what the George Washington University community did, but more, so how they did it. She asked that the graduates take on one more challenge:
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First Lady Michelle Obama Launches “Chefs Move to Schools” Program

Fresh off a launch of her  Let’s Move! campaign to end the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation, the First Lady has turned her focus to a group, she says, could have a tremendous impact on the health and well being of children: Chefs.

As part of her effort to turn policies into practical solutions, Michelle Obama is calling on chefs to get involved by adopting a school and working with teachers, parents, school nutritionists and administrators to help educate kids about food and nutrition.  By creating healthy dishes that taste good, she believes chefs have a unique ability to deliver these messages in a fun and appealing way to the larger audience, particularly children.
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