Press Pool Report: Abbas and Obama meeting Tuesday 2:30 pm EST

(Press) Pool was present for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas getting into his car, leaving the White House.  Per the White House, the Abbas-Obama meeting started relatively on time. They walked out to where the cars were at 2:59.  So, it seems the meeting ran a bit late.

President Barack Obama, Abbas walked down, out of the Oval, chatting. They finally parted, shaking hands and smiling. Both wearing dark suits. Walking alone, without interpreters.

As Obama was seeing Abbas get in the car, a couple of questions were shouted out:
Why does he think he'll succeed where others have failed? Obama said he'd make a statement from the Rose Garden shortly.

How did the meeting go? "we're making progress" is what I think I heard. He was speaking pretty softly.
Members of Abbas' delegation were filing into the cars late (one got in the car with Abbas) and the other almost missed getting into the car ahead of Abbas', which made Obama laugh.

Sorry, no real news here. Saving it all for later this evening.

The Obama-Abbas photo op, followed their bilat in the Oval. The meeting followed the bilateral between Obama and Israeli PM Netanyahu, where the two leaders condemned Hamas' attacks that killed 4 Israeli settlers. Obama said after that earlier meeting that Abbas also condemned those attacks. 

Yasmeen Alamiri 

Saudi Press Agency 

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS MAJESTY KING ABDULLAH OF SAUDI ARABIA BEFORE MEETING

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA

AND HIS MAJESTY KING ABDULLAH OF SAUDI ARABIA

BEFORE MEETING

Oval Office

2:33 P.M. EDT

     PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Hello, everybody.  I want to welcome His Majesty King Abdullah to the White House, and I’m very pleased to be able to return the extraordinary hospitality that he showed me and my delegation when we visited Saudi Arabia and when we visited His Majesty’s farm.

     Since that historic meeting that took place 65 years ago between Franklin Delano Roosevelt and His Majesty’s father, King Abdul-Aziz, we have had a strong and strategic relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

     I always value His Majesty’s wisdom and insights, and we have had a very productive session speaking about a whole range of issues that relate to both relations between our two countries but also issues of prosperity and security around the globe.

     We talked about our joint interest and work together in combating violent extremism.  And we talked about a range of strategic issues, including issues related to Afghanistan and Pakistan; Iran and its attempts to develop nuclear weapons capacity.  We discussed the Middle East peace process and the importance of moving forward in a significant and bold way in securing a Palestinian homeland that can live side by side with a secure and prosperous Israeli state.

     As representatives of two G20 countries, we also continued the conversation that took place this weekend about how the Saudi government and the United States government can work with our other partners around the world to keep the economic recovery going and to help bring about the strong economic growth that’s necessary to put people back to work.

     And we will continue to work together to expand the people-to-people contacts, the educational programs, the commercial ties, the business people who are working together in both countries so that not only do our governments remain strong partners but our people are continually enriching both countries.

     On behalf of the American people, welcome.  We appreciate your friendship.  And we appreciate your good counsel and look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen the strong bonds between our two countries.

     KING ABDULLAH:  (As translated.)  Thank you very much, Mr. President.  I believe you have covered everything and left nothing out in terms of our conversation.

     Mr. President, I would like to share with you the views that I have been hearing about you from other -- from around the world.  You are an honorable man and you are a good man.  And I don’t say this in order to compliment you -- I say this because this is the truth as I hear it from people around the world.

     And I would like to say to the friendly American people that the American people are friends of Saudi Arabia and its people, and they are friends of the Arab and Muslim people, and they are also friends of humanity.

     Mr. President, I would like to point to the historic ties of friendship between our two nations that began with the meeting that you pointed to, the meeting between the late King Abdul-Aziz and the late Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  Over the past seven decades, the relationship has grown stronger and broader and deeper, and we appreciate all that you personally have done to further broaden and deepen and strengthen this relationship.  And I hope that you will be able to continue to work with us on improving this relationship for many more years.

     Thank you, Mr. President, for a productive meeting.  I want to also thank our friends, the American people.  And I also would like to thank our friends here in the media.  May God spare us from all of the bad things they can do to us.  (Laughter.)  And may God bless us with all the positive things they can do for us and for humanity.

    

     PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Well, that is an excellent prayer.  Thank you.

                             END 

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON SMALL BUSINESS JOBS PROPOSALS

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release                          May 25, 2010

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON SMALL BUSINESS JOBS PROPOSALS

Rose Garden

11:23 A.M. EDT

     THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  Everybody please have a seat.

It is wonderful to see all of you.  Welcome to the White House.  I want to acknowledge a couple folks before we get started.  First of all, we’ve got some special guests who are here from wonderful states.  They are doing great work.  We’re very, very proud of them -- Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.  Please give them a big round of applause.  Stand up, guys, so everybody can see you.  (Applause.)

On the stage with me, we’ve got some -- the reason we’re here -- people who have helped to live out the American Dream and created jobs.  And we are extraordinarily proud of them.  We’ve got Trapper Clark and Thomas Sturtevant right over here.  We’ve got Charles Reid right down here.  And we’ve got Tamara Marquez-Nugent.  These are the outstanding winners of this award, and you’re going to be hearing more about them.  I also want to introduce somebody who I’m very proud of, who’s doing just a great job as our SMA Administrator, Karen Mills.  Please give her a round of applause.  (Applause.)

And we’ve got some wonderful members of Congress who are here -- I love them all dearly.  (Laughter.)  And we’re going to talk about the role Congress can play in doing the work that needs to be done right now.

This is the beginning of National Small Business Week, which every President has recognized since John F. Kennedy started the tradition in 1963.  With us are some of the most successful, most hardworking entrepreneurs from across America.  Each of you has distinguished yourselves as the Small Business Owner of the Year in your state or your region.  Later today, a national winner will be announced.  But all of you should be extremely proud of what you’ve accomplished this year.  I know that I’m extremely proud of what you’ve accomplished.

     Being a successful small business person isn’t just about collecting a profit or outperforming your competition.  It’s about contributing to the success of this country’s economy.  It’s about contributing to your country’s continued growth and prosperity.  And it’s about securing your piece of the American Dream and helping your employees and your suppliers and all the people you work with secure their piece of the American Dream.

     What’s always distinguished us as a nation is a belief that it’s a place where anybody with a good idea and a willingness to work can succeed.  It’s the belief that has brought millions of people to our shores, and carried us through even the toughest economic times. 

     It’s how small businesses begin.  Maybe somebody finally decides to take a chance on his dream.  Maybe a worker decides it’s time to become her own boss.  Either way, these entrepreneurial pioneers embody the spirit of possibility, the tireless work ethic, and the simple hope for something better that lies at the heart of the American ideal. 

     Some of you have opened mom-and-pop stores that have led to America’s biggest, most successful companies.  Some have launched technology companies -- software and IT services that have redefined the marketplace.  You collectively create two out of every three jobs here in the United States of America -- two out of every three jobs.  And that’s why small businesses aren’t just the backbone of this economy -- you’re also the driving force behind this recovery. 

     The problem is, is that small business owners have also been the hardest hit by this recession.  From the middle of 2007 through the end of 2008, small businesses lost 2.4 million jobs.  And because banks shrunk from lending in the midst of the financial crisis, it’s been difficult for small business owners to take out the loans they need to open up shop or to expand.  For those who do own a small business, it’s hard to finance inventories, make payrolls, or to do that additional work that could make your business grow. 

     Now, government can’t create jobs, but it can help create the conditions for small businesses to grow and to thrive and to hire more workers.  Government can’t guarantee a company’s success, but it can knock down the barriers that prevent small business owners from getting loans or investing in the future.  And that’s why so much of our economic agenda has been focused on America’s small businesses. 

     Last year, we enacted seven tax cuts for America’s small businesses, as well as Making Work Pay tax credits that go to the vast majority of small business owners.  So far, the Recovery Act has supported over 64,000 loans to small businesses -- more than $27 billion in new lending.  More than 1,200 banks and credit unions that had stopped making SBA loans when the financial crisis hit are lending again today.  And more than $8 billion in federal Recovery Act contracts are now going to small businesses.

     So right now, a series of additional tax incentives and other steps to promote hiring are taking effect.  Because of a bill I signed into law a few months ago, businesses are now eligible for tax cuts when they hire unemployed workers.  Companies are also able to write off more of their investments in new equipment.  And as part of the health reform package, 4 million small business owners recently received a postcard in their mailboxes telling them that they could be eligible for a health care tax credit this year.  It’s worth perhaps tens of thousands of dollars to your companies.  And it will provide welcome relief to small business owners, who -- I know you guys understand -- all too often have to choose between hiring or keeping your health care for yourselves and your workers.

     I also want to say a few words about what the SBA has been doing to help those workers and business owners who’ve been affected by the oil spill in the Gulf Coast.  From the very beginning of this disaster, the SBA has acted quickly to assist fishermen and fishing-dependent small businesses.  They’re offering low-interest loans and deferrals of existing loans.  And while small businesses are encouraged to file claims with BP, these loans and deferrals can provide much needed temporary assistance.

     So all of these steps have made a real difference in the lives of the people who own and work at small businesses all across America -- and that includes all of you who are here with us today. 

     I just met with Trapper and Tom, who are the state of Maine’s Small Business Owners of the Year.  Karen assures me that the reason they’re on stage is not because they’re from Maine, her home state.  (Laughter.)  They started a company that manufactures aluminum trailers about four years ago with 20 employees.  They’ve grown rapidly over the last few years, and that growth has been supported by a Recovery Act loan from the Small Business Administration.  They got some of their fees waived.  And today, they have 85 employees, are planning to add another 15 by the end of this year, and hope to add another 30 by the end of 2011. 

     Frank and Donna Masley are here.  They are Delaware’s Small Business Owners of the Year.  Where are they?  There they are, right there.  Congratulations.

Ten years ago, they launched a glove-making business to provide flexibility and protection for our men and women in uniform.  When they won a contract to supply gloves for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009, they received a Recovery Act loan through the SBA and saved thousands on fees.  It was that loan that allowed Frank and Donna to rehire some employees who had been laid off during this recession, and today their business is growing and thriving once more.

     So many people who are here today have stories just like this.  Their success isn’t the result of a heavy-handed government.  It’s the result of a government that lent a helping hand -- that complements the sheer grit and determination of America’s small business owners.  And I believe we need to do even more to give these men and women a boost. 

     So that’s why I’m calling on Congress to pass small business jobs -- a small business jobs package as soon as possible.  This legislation should ensure that creditworthy small business owners can get the capital they need to expand and create jobs.  It should include needed tax relief, like our proposal to completely eliminate capital gains taxes for those making key long-term investments in small businesses.  It should include expansions of vital Small Business Administration loan programs that are needed now more than ever.  And it should include two important lending initiatives that I recently sent to Congress. 

     The first initiative is the $30 billion Small Business Lending Fund I called for in my State of the Union address.  This fund would target only small community and neighborhood banks, and it would help these institutions increase lending to small businesses.  The second initiative is a new state small business credit program that we recently proposed, working with governors like Governor Doyle and Governor Granholm.  It’s an initiative that will help expand private lending for small businesses and manufacturers at a time when budget shortfalls are leading states to cut back on vitally important lending programs. 

     Now, I’m very pleased that elements of this small business jobs package have already passed the House Financial Services Committee last week, and I know that the Senate is working on the issue as well.  I urge both chambers to act on these proposals as soon as possible. 

     This shouldn’t be a partisan issue.  This is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue.  This should not be an issue about big government versus small government.  This is an issue that involves putting government on the side of small business owners who create most of the jobs in this country.  It’s about giving them tax credits and loans and tax cuts so they can keep growing and keep hiring.  It’s about unleashing the great power of our economy and the ingenuity of our people. 

     And when you have a chance to talk to Charles and you find out what he’s been doing in Michigan, creating a business that is expanding, working with restaurants and other institutions on their designs; when you think about somebody like Tamara, who started her own business after her husband, I believe, actually had to take disability and she’s now growing and hiring employees, getting into a business that historically has been male-dominated, the moving business -- when you hear their stories, you can’t help but be inspired.  And you realize that there are thousands of people all across America who, despite the odds, despite the naysayers, are going out there and making their dreams happen.

     So that’s what today should be about and that’s what this package in Congress should be about -- unleashing the great power of our economy and the ingenuity of our people.  In so many ways, each of you today have shown that ingenuity as you’ve successfully navigated your companies through an extraordinarily difficult time -- the toughest time that we’ve seen since the Great Depression.  You should be proud of that achievement, and know that as you continue that journey, you’re always going to have a fierce advocate in your President and in your SBA Administrator and in your government. 

     So thank you very much, everybody.  Congratulations.  (Applause.) 

    

                             END

President Obama Calls on Congress to Pass a Small Business Jobs Package

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 25, 2010

President Obama Calls on Congress to Pass a Small Business Jobs Package

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, at an event honoring Small Business Owners of the Year from across the country, the President will urge Congress to pass a Small Business Jobs Package, including a proposal he put forth in early February to create a new Small Business Lending Fund to provide small businesses with the tools to access capital so they can grow and hire. 

A fact sheet on the Small Business Jobs Package can be found HERE. 

Earlier this month, the President sent legislation on the Small Business Lending Fund to Congress earlier this month, along with a new state small business credit initiative that will help expand lending for small businesses and manufacturers at a time when budget shortfalls are forcing states to cut back on lending programs.  Today, the President will urge the House and Senate to move quickly on these and other proposals that encourage investment in our nation’s small businesses, which are crucial to our efforts to create new jobs across the country.

The President’s remarks as prepared for delivery are below:

Good afternoon, and welcome to the White House.  This is the beginning of National Small Business Week, which every President has recognized since John F. Kennedy started the tradition in 1963.  And with us are some of the most successful, hardworking entrepreneurs from across America.  Each of you has distinguished yourself as the Small Business Owner of the Year in your state or region, and later today the national winner will be announced.  But all of you should be extremely proud of what you’ve accomplished this year.  I know I am. 

Being a successful small business owner isn’t just about collecting a profit or outperforming your competitors.  It’s about contributing to the success of this country’s economy.  It’s about securing your piece of the American Dream. 

What has always distinguished us as a nation is the belief that this is the place where anyone with a good idea and the will to work hard can succeed.  It’s the belief that has brought millions to our shores, and carried us through even the toughest economic times. 

And it’s how small businesses begin.  Maybe someone finally decides to take a chance on his dream.  Or maybe a worker decides it’s time she became her own boss.  Either way, these entrepreneurial pioneers embody the spirit of possibility, the tireless work ethic, and the simple hope for something better that lies at the heart of the American ideal. 

You’ve opened the mom-and-pop stores that have led to some of America’s biggest, most successful companies.  You’ve launched technology companies – software and IT services that have redefined the marketplace.  And you create two out of every three new jobs in this country.  Two out of every three.  That’s why small businesses aren’t just the backbone of this economy – you are the driving force behind this recovery. 

The problem is, small business owners have also been some of the hardest hit by this recession.  From the middle of 2007 through the end of 2008, small businesses lost 2.4 million jobs.  And because banks shrunk from lending in the midst of the financial crisis, it’s been difficult for small business owners to take out the loans they need to open up shop.  For those who do own a small business, it’s been difficult to finance inventories, make payrolls, or expand if things are going well. 

Now, government can’t create jobs, but it can help create the conditions for small businesses to grow and thrive and hire more workers.  Government can’t guarantee a company’s success, but it can knock down the barriers that prevent small business owners from getting loans or investing in the future.  And that’s why so much of our economic agenda has been focused on small businesses. 

Last year, we enacted seven tax cuts for America’s small businesses, as well as the Making Work Pay tax credit that goes to the vast majority of small business owners.  So far, the Recovery Act has supported over 64,000 loans to small businesses – more than $27 billion in new lending.  More than 1,200 banks and credit unions that had stopped making SBA loans when the financial crisis hit are lending again today.  And more than $8 billion in federal Recovery Act contracts are now going to small businesses.

Right now, a series of additional tax incentives and other steps to promote hiring are taking effect.  Because of a bill I signed into law a few months ago, businesses are now eligible for tax cuts for hiring unemployed workers.  Companies are also able to write off more of their investments in new equipment.  And as part of health reform, 4 million small businesses recently received a postcard in their mailboxes telling them that they could be eligible for a health care tax cut this year.  It’s worth perhaps tens of thousands of dollars to a company.  And it will provide welcome relief to small business owners, who too often have to choose between health care and hiring.

I also want to say a few words about what the Small Business Administration has been doing to help those workers and business owners who’ve been affected by the oil spill in the Gulf Coast.  From the very beginning of this disaster, the SBA has acted quickly to assist fishermen and fishing-dependent small businesses.  They’re offering low-interest loans and deferrals of existing loans.  And while small businesses are encouraged to file claims with BP, these loans and deferrals can provide much needed temporary assistance.

All of these steps are making a real difference in the lives of the people who own and work at small businesses all across America – including the people here with us today. 

I just met with Trapper Clark and Tom Sturtevant, who are the state of Maine’s Small Business Owners of the Year.  They started a company that manufactures aluminum trailers about four years ago with twenty employees.  They’ve grown rapidly over the last few years, and that growth has been supported by a Recovery Act loan from the Small Business Administration.  They also got some fees waived.  And today, they have 85 employees, are planning to add another 15 by the end of this year, and hope to add another 30 by the end of 2011. 

Frank and Donna Masley are also here with us today.  They’re Delaware’s Small Business Owners of the Year.  Ten years ago, they launched a glove-making business to provide flexibility and protection for our men and women in uniform.  When they won a contract to supply gloves for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009, they received a Recovery Act loan through the SBA and saved thousands on fees.  It was that loan that allowed Frank and Donna to rehire some employees who had been laid off during the recession, and today their business is growing and thriving once more. 

So many people who are here today have stories just like this.  Their success isn’t the result of a heavy-handed government.  It’s the result of a government that lends a helping hand – that complements the sheer grit and determination of America’s small business owners.  And I believe we need to do even more to give these men and women a boost. 

That’s why I’m calling on Congress to pass small business jobs package as soon as possible.  This legislation should ensure that credit worthy small business owners can get the capital they need to expand and create jobs.  It should include needed tax relief, like our proposal to completely eliminate capital gains taxes for those making key long-term investments in small businesses.  It should include expansions of vital Small Business Administration loan programs that are needed now more than ever.  And it should include two important lending initiatives that I recently sent to Congress. 

The first initiative is the $30 billion Small Business Lending Fund I called for in my State of the Union address.  This fund would target only small community and neighborhood banks, and it would help these institutions increase lending to small businesses.  The second initiative is the new state small business credit program that we recently proposed – an initiative that will help expand private lending for small businesses and manufacturers at a time when budget shortfalls are leading states to cut back on vitally important lending programs. 

I am very pleased that elements of this small business jobs package have already passed the House Financial Services Committee last week, and I know the Senate is working on the issue as well.  I urge both chambers to act on these proposals as soon as possible.  This shouldn’t be a partisan issue.  This shouldn’t be an issue of big government versus small government.  This is an issue of putting our government on the side of the small business owners who create most of the jobs in this country.  It’s about giving them tax cuts and loans so they can keep growing and keep hiring.  It’s about unleashing the great power of our economy, and the ingenuity of our people.  In so many ways, each of you here today have shown that ingenuity as you’ve successfully navigated your companies through an extremely difficult time.  You should be very proud of that achievement, and know that you as you continue that journey, you will always have a fierce advocate in your President and your government.  Thank you, and congratulations. 

###

President Obama and King Abdullah of Jordan meet to discuss regional interests

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 12, 2010

Readout of the President’s Bilateral Meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan

President Obama and King Abdullah met today for a bilateral meeting to reaffirm the U.S.-Jordanian partnership and discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest.  The leaders exchanged ideas on ways to advance comprehensive peace in the Middle East, between both Israelis and Palestinians and Israelis and the larger Arab world.  During these discussions, both agreed that Israeli-Palestinian proximity talks should begin as soon as possible, and transition quickly to direct negotiations.  They also agreed that both sides should refrain from actions that undermine trust during these talks. 

President Obama and King Abdullah also discussed Iran's nuclear file.  President Obama stressed the importance of international efforts to pressure Iran to ensure that it upholds its international obligations, including through the imposition of sanctions.  Both leaders agreed on the importance of strengthening the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty and holding all signatories accountable to fulfill their treaty obligations.  Both leaders agreed on the importance of securing nuclear material to combat terrorism and agreed to continue cooperation in the area of preventing and detecting illicit trafficking. 

President Obama and King Abdullah also discussed the latest situation in Afghanistan and ways that Jordan could continue to contribute to international efforts to improve conditions on the ground for the Afghan people.  The recent election in Iraq and the current situation in Yemen were also part of their conversation, as well as the current global economic situation.  They also discussed enhancing cooperation in the fields of education, energy, science and entrepreneurship. 

###

Statement from President Barack Obama on health care

Statement from President Barack Obama on health care

For the first time in our nation's history, Congress has passed comprehensive health care reform. America waited a hundred years and fought for decades to reach this moment. Tonight, thanks to you, we are finally here.

Consider the staggering scope of what you have just accomplished:

Because of you, every American will finally be guaranteed high quality, affordable health care coverage.

Every American will be covered under the toughest patient protections in history. Arbitrary premium hikes, insurance cancellations, and discrimination against pre-existing conditions will now be gone forever.

And we'll finally start reducing the cost of care -- creating millions of jobs, preventing families and businesses from plunging into bankruptcy, and removing over a trillion dollars of debt from the backs of our children.

But the victory that matters most tonight goes beyond the laws and far past the numbers.

It is the peace of mind enjoyed by every American, no longer one injury or illness away from catastrophe.

It is the workers and entrepreneurs who are now freed to pursue their slice of the American dream without fear of losing coverage or facing a crippling bill.

And it is the immeasurable joy of families in every part of this great nation, living happier, healthier lives together because they can finally receive the vital care they need.

This is what change looks like.

My gratitude tonight is profound. I am thankful for those in past generations whose heroic efforts brought this great goal within reach for our times. I am thankful for the members of Congress whose months of effort and brave votes made it possible to take this final step. But most of all, I am thankful for you.

This day is not the end of this journey. Much hard work remains, and we have a solemn responsibility to do it right. But we can face that work together with the confidence of those who have moved mountains.

Our journey began three years ago, driven by a shared belief that fundamental change is indeed still possible. We have worked hard together every day since to deliver on that belief.

We have shared moments of tremendous hope, and we've faced setbacks and doubt. We have all been forced to ask if our politics had simply become too polarized and too short-sighted to meet the pressing challenges of our time. This struggle became a test of whether the American people could still rally together when the cause was right -- and actually create the change we believe in.

Tonight, thanks to your mighty efforts, the answer is indisputable: Yes we can.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

President Obama offers Ramadan Greetings to Muslims

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 21, 2009

Below is the text of a web video from President Obama marking the beginning of Ramadan. Video of the President’s message is available HERE.

Remarks of President Barack Obama

Ramadan Message

Washington, DC

On behalf of the American people – including Muslim communities in all fifty states – I want to extend best wishes to Muslims in America and around the world. Ramadan Kareem.

Ramadan is the month in which Muslims believe the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, beginning with a simple word – iqra. It is therefore a time when Muslims reflect upon the wisdom and guidance that comes with faith, and the responsibility that human beings have to one another, and to God.

Like many people of different faiths who have known Ramadan through our communities and families, I know this to be a festive time – a time when families gather, friends host iftars, and meals are shared. But I also know that Ramadan is a time of intense devotion and reflection – a time when Muslims fast during the day and perform tarawih prayers at night, reciting and listening to the entire Koran over the course of the month.

These rituals remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islam’s role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings.

For instance, fasting is a concept shared by many faiths – including my own Christian faith – as a way to bring people closer to God, and to those among us who cannot take their next meal for granted. And the support that Muslims provide to others recalls our responsibility to advance opportunity and prosperity for people everywhere. For all of us must remember that the world we want to build – and the changes that we want to make – must begin in our own hearts, and our own communities.

This summer, people across America have served in their communities – educating children, caring for the sick, and extending a hand to those who have fallen on hard times. Faith-based organizations, including many Islamic organizations, have been at the forefront in participating in this summer of service. And in these challenging times, this is a spirit of responsibility that we must sustain in the months and years to come.

Beyond America’s borders, we are also committed to keeping our responsibility to build a world that is more peaceful and secure. That is why we are responsibly ending the war in Iraq. That is why we are isolating violent extremists while empowering the people in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we are unyielding in our support for a two-state solution that recognizes the rights of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. And that is why America will always stand for the universal rights of all people to speak their mind, practice their religion, contribute fully to society and have confidence in the rule of law.

All of these efforts are a part of America’s commitment to engage Muslims and Muslim-majority nations on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect. And at this time of renewal, I want to reiterate my commitment to a new beginning between America and Muslims around the world.

As I said in Cairo, this new beginning must be borne out in a sustained effort to listen to each other, to learn from each other, to respect one another, and to seek common ground. I believe an important part of this is listening, and in the last two months, American embassies around the world have reached out not just to governments, but directly to people in Muslim-majority countries. From around the world, we have received an outpouring of feedback about how America can be a partner on behalf of peoples’ aspirations.

We have listened. We have heard you. And like you, we are focused on pursuing concrete actions that will make a difference over time – both in terms of the political and security issues that I have discussed, and in the areas that you have told us will make the most difference in peoples’ lives.

These consultations are helping us implement the partnerships that I called for in Cairo – to expand education exchange programs; to foster entrepreneurship and create jobs; and to increase collaboration on science and technology, while supporting literacy and vocational learning. We are also moving forward in partnering with the OIC and OIC member states to eradicate polio, while working closely with the international community to confront common health challenges like H1N1 – which I know is of particular to concern to many Muslims preparing for the upcoming hajj.

All of these efforts are aimed at advancing our common aspirations – to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. It will take time and patient effort. We cannot change things over night, but we can honestly resolve to do what must be done, while setting off in a new direction – toward the destination that we seek for ourselves, and for our children. That is the journey that we must travel together.

I look forward to continuing this critically important dialogue and turning it into action. And today, I want to join with the 1.5 billion Muslims around the world – and your families and friends – in welcoming the beginning of Ramadan, and wishing you a blessed month. May God’s peace be upon you.

end

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