Hawaii 24/7 » Government

Senator Akaka talks about White House policy on contraception coverage

Baron — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:28:52 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka issued the following statement today after the Obama administration announced a new health care rule guaranteeing women access to free contraception coverage through their employer while protecting the religious freedom of faith-based institutions:

“The President’s compromise accomplishes two important goals: protecting religious liberty, and making sure that all women have access to the fundamental health care they need. This compromise is modeled loosely off of Hawaii’s successful law, which ensures access to this preventative health care service. Institutions that object to contraception don’t have to pay for it, but no woman will be discriminated against based on where she works or what her occupation is.

“Under this compromise, women who work for religious organizations are not charged for these critical services, and the employers with conscience concerns are not required to discuss these options with their employees. In our experience in Hawaii, our contraceptive equity law does not appear to have impacted any insurance costs or coverage.”

According to a Guttmacher Institute study in 2006, 59 percent of all pregnancies in Hawaii were unintended. Across Hawaii, almost 150,000 women seek access to birth control every year. A little less than half, or 67,300, of Hawaii’s women in need of contraceptive care and supplies require financial assistance to obtain them.

President Obama’s briefing on contraceptive coverage

Rep Nakashima announces schedule of community meetings

Baron — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:17:52 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

Rep Mark Nakashima

Representative Mark Nakashima would like to invite you to attend one of the following mid-session community meetings. These meetings will allow the community to share any thoughts or concerns. He will also be providing updates on current legislation. Please mark your calendar!

Community Meetings:

Hamakua Community
Polycon Room, NHERC, Honokaa
Thursday, February 23, 2012
6:30 p.m.

Kohala
North Kohala Library
Monday, February 27, 2012
4:00 p.m.

Rural South Hilo Community
Kalanianaole School
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
7:00 p.m.

North Hilo Comm. Council
Wednesday March 28, 2012
6:30 p.m.
Location To Be Announced

Senior Meetings:

Papaikou Seniors
Thursday, February 23, 2012 9:00 a.m.

Pepeekeo Seniors
Thursday, February 23, 2012 10:00 a.m.

Paauilo Seniors
Friday, February 24, 2012 9:00 a.m.

Laupahoehoe Seniors
Friday, February 24, 2012 10:00 a.m.

Kohala Seniors
Monday, February 27, 2012 9:00 a.m.

Hakalau Seniors
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 9:30 a.m.

Honokaa Seniors
Wednesday, February 29, 2012 9:00 a.m.

All at respective Senior Centers

For more info contact:
Representative Mark N. Nakashima (Rural South Hilo, North Hilo, Hāmākua, North Kohala)
State Capitol Room 406
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone (808)586-6680
Toll Free from the Big Island 974-4000, ext 6-6680

New Hilo High School gym project delayed due to high wind requirements

Baron — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:29:06 +0000

Project delayed due to county building permit requirements pertaining to high winds

Honolulu, Hawaii. Rep. Jerry Chang and the Hawaii Island legislative delegation today received new information from the Department of Education on the status of the Hilo High School Gymnasium project, which they wanted to share with the community.

According to the Department, the Hilo High School gym project has been delayed due to difficulties in obtaining a Hawaii County building permit. The County is requiring the project to meet Chapter 3-180 Hawaii Administrative Rules, specifically an update to Section 423 pertaining to being able to sustain high winds of 155 miles per hour.

The project is currently designed to sustain 115 mph winds, which was agreed upon with the State Civil Defense. During the design phase of the project, the building was planned on the Uniform Building Code in effect when Hawaii County required only 80 mph. State Civil Defense continues to support the project at 115 mph due to the fact that the gym is intended to be used as an emergency shelter if needed, but not as a hurricane shelter.

While the DOE submitted the permit application prior to the adoption of the new rules, the County interprets the submittal date to be after the documents have been routed and approved by all other agencies. In this case, the County considers the project to fall under the newly adopted rules. Therefore, the Hilo High School gym application must follow the 155 mph requirement, and the consulting firm working on the project, Kober/Hanssen/Mitchell Architects, Inc., is redesigning portions of the gym to conform.

The DOE anticipates that the redesign may impact the cost of the project. A proposed solution from the consultant is expected on or around February 14, 2012.

“We are disappointed in the delays,” said Rep. Jerry Chang. “We hope that the DOE and the consultant can work out a solution with the County that will save as much time and money as possible. A new gymnasium is sorely needed in our community; the community has waited patiently, and we wanted to make sure that they knew the reasons for the delay.”

Residents in Paukaa, Papaikou and Kalaoa asked to conserve water due to broken well

Baron — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:20:55 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

AFFECTED AREA: Water Supply customers after Honoli‘i Bridge in the Pauka‘a, Pāpa‘ikou, Upper and Lower Kalaoa area in South Hilo District.

Due to a scheduled repair now underway, the Pāpa‘ikou Well is down. Department of Water Supply customers in the affected area are now under a Water Conservation status. The Department of Water Supply has activated the Ka‘ie‘ie Well as the back up source until the repairs are complete. With everyone’s full cooperation, daily water needs can be met during this repair that is currently estimated to last up to one (1) week.

Water Conservation calls for a voluntary 10% reduction in water use. Listed are some ways to conserve water and reach the 10% goal:

Wash only full loads of laundry or dishes at a time.
Check faucets and pipes for leaks.
Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator.
Do not let water run when you wash, shave, or brush your teeth.
Reduce showering times.
Use water-saving devices.
Use a broom instead of a water hose for cleaning.
Irrigate at night and with a pail for small jobs.

All agricultural users: keep water usage to a minimum. Irrigate only at night and during non-peak hours, from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Minimize water use for dust control. Use water wisely.

For more information, please contact Mr. Daryl Ikeda at 961-8790.

Kagawa named Deputy Director of Dept of Human Resources and Development

Baron — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:07:29 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

Leila Kagawa

HONOLULU – Governor Neil Abercrombie has appointed Scott Edward Enright to Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture (DOA), and Leila Kagawa to Deputy Director of the Department of Human Resources and Development (DHRD).

Mr. Enright (DOA Deputy Director) brings a strong background in agriculture, community building, and conflict resolution to his position. Mr. Enright has worked as a consultant for the Hawai’i Sustainable Agriculture and Renewable Energy Project project manager for ITC Water Management, cultivation and irrigation superintendent for Hamakua Sugar Company, and orchard superintendent for Kilauea Agronomics. Mr. Enright was also served as Chairman for the Board of Agribusiness Development Corporation, on the Community Development Plan Steering Committee for Hamakua District, and on the Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation Board.

A graduate of the University of Hawai’i – Hilo, Mr. Enright holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and philosophy. He also earned a Master of Science degree in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University.

Mr. Enright begins his duties as DOA Deputy Director immediately.

Ms. Kagawa (DHRD Deputy Director) has over 15 years of experience in human resources. She is currently a Senior Solutions Consultant at ADP, Inc., where she provides employer services solutions sessions to executive management across the state. Ms. Kagawa is also a Human Resources Certification Program Facilitator. She is a former Human Resources Manager at Pacific Marine & Supply Co., Ltd. & Subsidiaries. Ms. Kagawa is a designated Senior Professional in Human Resources and Certified Payroll Professional. She is a board member of the Society of Human Resource Management Hawai’i Chapter and National Association, and the Vice President of the American Payroll Association Hawai’i Chapter and National Association.

A graduate of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Ms. Kagawa holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and political science. She completed her master’s degree coursework in organizational development from the University of Phoenix and Hawai’i Pacific University.

Ms. Kagawa begins her position as DHRD Deputy Director on March 1, 2012.

Another mile gets the green light for the Ane Keohokalole Highway project

Baron — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:50:58 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

Workers set up equipment for paving Ane Keohokālole Highway in Kona. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Mayor

The County of Hawai‘i and contractor Nan Inc. have entered into a $3.24 million agreement that will complete an additional mile of Ane Keohokālole Highway.

This will be a road parallel and about a mile mauka of the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway from Palani Road to Hina Lani Street in Kaloko. The entire two and a half miles of highway is scheduled to open at the same time in May.

“Public Works has done an incredible job at keeping this project on time and under budget,” said Hawai’i County Mayor Billy Kenoi. “Because of this, we are in position to build another mile of road.”
The additional mile of highway will consist of two lanes with a concrete surface and enough space to expand to four lanes. There will also be some resurfacing work at Hina Lani Street as well as added left-turn pockets.

This expanded highway will open at the best possible time. The state’s Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway widening project between Honokohau Harbor and Kona International Airport will no doubt cause traffic delays, and a completed Ane Keohokālole Highway will give motorists an alternative route when traffic is heavy.

It is also good news for those who rely on public transportation to get to and from work, shopping and play. County Mass Transit has committed to establish a transit bus loop using Ane Keohokālole Highway and the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway.

Ground was broken on the first phase of the $29.9 million Ane Keohokālole Highway project on March 30, 2010, and was originally planned as a mile and a half of highway from Palani Road to the West Hawai‘i Civic Center. The project represents not only the largest expenditure of federal stimulus money in Hawai‘i, it also is one of the first major roads to be built by Hawai‘i County in Kona since statehood.

The project, awarded to Nan Inc. of Honolulu, also involves two preservation efforts at each end of the road. An interpretive center and cultural preservation area valued at more than $3 million is being built by Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust at the Palani Road end of the project, while a $500,000 partnership between the county, Stanford Carr Developments and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve one of Hawai‘i’s last remaining dryland forests is underway at the Hina Lani Street intersection.

Ane Keohokālole Highway will also facilitate the state’s development of the state’s Kamakana Village affordable-housing project, commercial development by the Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust to support children’s programs, and the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust’s expansion of Laiopua Village and its planned community center.

“We are not just building a road,” said Mayor Kenoi. “With affordable homes, shelters for the homeless, places to work and play, a way to get to college, commuter buses and bike paths we are facilitating the creation of a safe and vibrant community.”

TSA opens applications to avoid removing shoes and other items at airports

Baron — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:36:14 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

WASHINGTON – Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole today announced the expansion of TSA Pre✓™, a passenger pre-screening initiative, to additional airports across the country following the program’s success at seven pilot locations.

With more than 336,000 passengers screened to date through TSA Pre✓™ lanes, this screening concept enhances security by enabling TSA to focus its efforts on passengers the agency knows less about while providing expedited screening for travelers who volunteer information about themselves prior to flying.

“TSA Pre✓™ moves us closer to our goal of delivering the most effective and efficient screening by recognizing that most passengers do not pose a threat to security,” said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole. “We are pleased to expand this important effort, in collaboration with our airline and airport partners, as we move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more intelligence-driven, risk-based transportation security system.”

TSA Pre✓™ is currently operating with American Airlines at airports in Dallas, Miami, Las Vegas, Minneapolis and Los Angeles, and with Delta Air Lines at airports in Atlanta, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Minneapolis. US Airways, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines are all opting in new passengers and will begin operations later this year.

As part of the initiative’s expansion, TSA Pre✓™ will be implemented at the following airport locations throughout 2012:

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL)
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
Portland International Airport (PDX)
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

TSA will continue expanding TSA Pre✓™ to additional airlines and airports once they are operationally ready.

Eligible participants include certain frequent flyers from participating airlines as well as members of Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs (Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS) who are U.S. citizens and fly on a participating airline. Individuals interested in participating in the pilot can apply via Global Entry at www.globalentry.gov/

If TSA determines a passenger is eligible for expedited screening following the TSA Pre✓™ vetting process, information will be embedded in the barcode of the passenger’s boarding pass. TSA will read the barcode at the security checkpoint and then may refer the passenger to a TSA Pre✓™ lane, where they will undergo expedited screening, which could include no longer removing the following items:

Shoes
3-1-1 compliant bag from carry-on
Laptop from bag
Light outerwear/jacket
Belt

TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no individual will be guaranteed expedited screening. As part of the agency’s risk-based security initiative, TSA is currently testing several other screening initiatives, including initiatives designed to provide positive ID verification for airline pilots and the use of expanded behavior detection techniques.

For more information about TSA’s risk-based security initiatives, visit www.tsa.gov

Hilo and Kona airport parking rates to increase in March

Baron — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:05:11 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

Neighbor Island airports users are advised of a parking rate increase effective March 1, 2012

HONOLULU — The state Department of Transportation (DOT) advises users of Kahului and Kapalua Airports on Maui, Lihue Airport on Kauai, and the Hilo and Kona International Airports on the Big Island, that monthly parking rates at these locations will increase from $90 to $160 beginning Thursday, March 1, 2012.

The monthly rate increase is proportionate to daily and hourly rate increases that went into effect at airports statewide on May 1, 2011. The monthly parking rate increase at Honolulu International Airport to $240 went into effect June 1, 2011.

For more parking rate information at these airports, please contact the offices below.

Lihue Airport, Kauai: AMPCO System Parking, (808) 245-8716
Kahului and Kapalua Airports, Maui: Standard Parking, (808) 871-0610
Hilo International Airport, Hawaii: AMPCO System Parking, (808) 969-6642
Kona International Airport, Hawaii: AMPCO System Parking, (808) 329-5404

Hawaii and Maui counties work with Coast Guard to coordinate rescue missions

Baron — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:12:12 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi, left, shakes hands with Rear Adm. Charles W. Ray, commander of the 14th Coast Guard district after signing a memorandum of agreement Thursday (Feb 2). The memorandum coordinates local and federal responders together while conducting search and rescue missions. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony L. Soto

HONOLULU – The Coast Guard signed a memorandum of agreement with Maui and Hawaii Counties to improve coordination and maintain consistent interoperability during search and rescue missions Thursday (Feb 2).

Rear Adm. Charles W. Ray, commander of the 14th Coast Guard District, met with Mayors Alan M. Arakawa of Maui County and William P. Kenoi of Hawaii County at each mayor’s respective city hall. Ray signed the agreements, which set forth terms by which the local fire departments, Ocean Safety, Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu, and Coast Guard Sector Honolulu will coordinate and carry out civil and military search and rescue missions.

The objective of this agreement is to provide an instrument by which the local and federal responders will render timely notification and cooperative assistance to one another while conducting SAR missions. By doing so, responders can fully leverage each organization’s unique assets, capabilities, and local knowledge while conducting SAR missions.

“This agreement offers benefits to both local and federal responders,” said Lt. Cmdr. Matt Derrenbacher of Sector Honolulu. “But the real benefits go to the citizens who live in and visit the Hawaiian Islands. We’re here to serve the public by providing them the best rescue, response capabilities and coordination possible to save lives.”

White House Environmental Quality Chair Sutley to visit Sopogy project in Arizona

Baron — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:42:30 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

First project in Arizona to use concentrated solar power with dual effect absorption chiller

Tucson, Arizona – February 3, 2012 – Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Nancy Sutley, will visit Davis-Monthan Air Force Base today to inspect an air conditioning project that will be fueled by the sun. In a collaborative RDT&E effort, ESTCP, the US Navy and NASA have partnered to build the solar air conditioning system on the Air Force Base. They have selected Sopogy, a Hawaii-based clean tech, as technology provider.

Sopogy’s technology is called MicroCSP for micro-concentrated solar power. MicroCSP is a renewable source of energy delivered through modular, parabolic solar collectors. Sopogy’s collectors are twelve feet long, and weigh less than two-hundred pounds.

At Davis-Monthan AFB, the solar air conditioning system will provide sixty-six tons of chilled air to the Youth Center. Seventy-two MicroCSP collectors will concentrate the sun’s heat onto receiver tubes carrying heat transfer fluid to fuel the chiller. The dual-effect absorption chiller generates cold air with heat, not electricity, the hotter the sun, the more effective the chiller. In addition to the solar collectors, Sopogy is providing proprietary thermal storage to back-up the cooling system. MicroCSP thermal storage is low cost relative to batteries. When clouds roll in, hot fluid will flow from storage to the chiller for continuous production.

Department of Defense studies have concluded that air conditioning accounts for 30-60% of its total facility energy expenditures. Switching from fossil fuels to solar heat will help the DOD to meet is aggressive renewable energy targets. The demonstration project at Davis-Monthan AFB is scheduled for completion in March 2012.

Hawaii County and Mayor’s websites made accessible for people with disabilities

Baron — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:34:46 +0000

Video courtesy of the Office of the Mayor, County of Hawaii

MEDIA RELEASE

HawaiiCounty.gov and HawaiiCountyMayor.com have been updated with accessibility in mind, enabling those who use assistive technology to more easily browse the web to access information and news about County departments and programs. The under-the-hood streamlining of the websites allows off-the-shelf screen reader software, like JAWS for Windows and the VoiceOver software built into Mac OS, to read the websites aloud for people with sight impairments or difficulty reading. The upgrades were a collaborative project between the County’s Departments of Information Technology and Human Resources, the Office of Mayor Billy Kenoi, and the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities.

“The purpose of the Committee is to advise the mayor on a variety of issues regarding the disability community,” said Pauline Aughe, a member of the Committee. “When we can identify the needs of a variety of people, we can be more equipped to create an inclusive society.”

Mayor Kenoi said that the website updates were in line with the values of the people of Hawai‘i Island, to ensure fairness and equality for all, especially the most vulnerable members of the community.

“We don’t define each other by our limitations. We encourage each other’s potential and possibilities,” said Mayor Billy Kenoi. “Everybody – every child, every person – should have a feeling that they can dream any dream and be anything they want to be. Our job in Hawai‘i is to make sure that dream can become a reality.”

“We’re fortunate to have a mayor that listened to his advisory committee. Not only did he listen, but he made it happen. He had a can-do attitude and made it a streamlined process,” said Paige De Lima, chairperson of the Committee. “I commend him for that.”

Senator Akaka and colleagues urge Susan G. Komen for the Cure to reinstate funding Planned Parenthood

Baron — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:15:51 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) joined 25 Senate colleagues in calling on Ambassador Nancy Brinker, Founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to reconsider her organization’s decision to stop funding cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood.

“It would be tragic if any woman—let alone thousands of women— lost access to these potentially life-saving screenings because of a politically motivated attack,” the Senators wrote.

Senator Akaka joined Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark Begich (D-AK), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jon Tester (D-MT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Max Baucus (D-MT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Al Franken (D-MN), John Kerry (D-MA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) in signing the letter.

Letter from the senators:

February 2, 2012

Nancy G. Brinker
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Dear Ambassador Brinker,

We write to express our disappointment with Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s decision to cut funding for breast cancer prevention, screening, and education at Planned Parenthood health centers. This troubling decision threatens to reduce access to necessary, life-saving services. We urge Komen to reconsider its decision.

Planned Parenthood is a trusted provider of health care for women and men. More than 90 percent of the services provided by Planned Parenthood are primary and preventative including wellness exams and cancers screenings that save lives. Each year, Planned Parenthood health clinics provide 750,000 breast exams, 770,000 pap tests and nearly 4 million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases. Twenty percent of all women in the U.S. have visited a Planned Parenthood health center.

For the past five years, grants to local affiliates of Planned Parenthood have been an important part of Planned Parenthood’s work to protect women from breast cancer. Komen funding for Planned Parenthood has provided nearly 170,000 clinical breast exams and resulted in 6,400 referrals for mammograms. In 2011 alone, grants from Komen provided Planned Parenthood with roughly $650,000 in funding for breast cancer prevention, screening, and education. According to a recent statement by Komen, “In some areas of the U.S., our affiliates have determined a Planned Parenthood clinic to be the best or only local place where women can receive breast health care.”

It would be tragic if any woman—let alone thousands of women— lost access to these potentially life-saving screenings because of a politically motivated attack.

We earnestly hope that you will put women’s health before partisan politics and reconsider this decision for the sake of the women who depend on both your organizations for access to the health care they need.

Sincerely,

Statement from Susan G. Komen Board of Directors and Founder and CEO Nancy G. Brinker

DALLAS – February 3, 2012 – We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women’s lives. The events of this week have been deeply unsettling for our supporters, partners and friends and all of us at Susan G. Komen. We have been distressed at the presumption that the changes made to our funding criteria were done for political reasons or to specifically penalize Planned Parenthood. They were not.

Our original desire was to fulfill our fiduciary duty to our donors by not funding grant applications made by organizations under investigation. We will amend the criteria to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political. That is what is right and fair.

Our only goal for our granting process is to support women and families in the fight against breast cancer. Amending our criteria will ensure that politics has no place in our grant process. We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants, while maintaining the ability of our affiliates to make funding decisions that meet the needs of their communities.

It is our hope and we believe it is time for everyone involved to pause, slow down and reflect on how grants can most effectively and directly be administered without controversies that hurt the cause of women. We urge everyone who has participated in this conversation across the country over the last few days to help us move past this issue. We do not want our mission marred or affected by politics – anyone’s politics.

Starting this afternoon, we will have calls with our network and key supporters to refocus our attention on our mission and get back to doing our work. We ask for the public’s understanding and patience as we gather our Komen affiliates from around the country to determine how to move forward in the best interests of the women and people we serve.

We extend our deepest thanks for the outpouring of support we have received from so many in the past few days and we sincerely hope that these changes will be welcomed by those who have expressed their concern.

Governor releases $13M for agriculture, water irrigation projects

Baron — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:12:26 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $13 million for various Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) that invest in Hawai’i’s local agriculture industry and upgrade the state’s water irrigation infrastructure.

“As we continue to shift Hawai’i’s economy to a sustainable foundation, our investment in New Day Work Projects must include upgrading our agricultural and irrigation systems, which is critical to our food security,” said Governor Abercrombie.

“The priority projects being funded will greatly support and expand agriculture in Hawai’i,” said Russell S. Kokubun, chairperson of the Hawai’i Board of Agriculture. “Much of the state’s agricultural infrastructure is decades old, and it is important to maintain and upgrade them and keep them in service to Hawai’i's farmers, growers and ranchers, now and for the future.”

Projects identified with the help of state Legislators and county officials include:

$4,150,000 – Pa’auilo Rendering Plant and Slaughterhouse, Hawai’i Island – Funds released to the County of Hawai’i for planning, design, construction and equipment for building renovations, infrastructure improvements and equipment replacement to facilitate economic development of the beef industry for the island
$2,500,000 – State Irrigation System Reservoir, statewide – Land acquisition, design and construction for safety improvements to irrigation reservoirs, including vegetation removal, embankment lining, and repair and/or replacement of gate valves, spillways, outlet channels, and other features of the system
$1,250,000 – Moloka’i Irrigation System – Planning, design and construction to replace an above-ground concrete flume with an underground pipeline, installation of a new hydropower plant and structural stabilization of an access bridge on the island of Moloka’i
$1,850,000 – Waimanalo Irrigation System, O’ahu – Design and construction to replace ditch lining, install supervisory control and data acquisition systems, and various other necessary improvements (photos attached)
$1,000,000 – State Agricultural Water Use and Development Plan, statewide – Preparation of a comprehensive statewide plan to inventory irrigation systems throughout the state, including preparation of historic descriptions of original irrigation infrastructure, assessment of current conditions, proposing maintenance/improvements and identification of irrigation sources and water use requirements for long-term waster use projections
$1,000,000 – Hanalei River, Kaua’i – Reinforcement of stream bank and construction of a structure to return water flow to the river’s main channel, feeding the Hanalei National Wildlife Reserve
$500,000 – Ka’u Irrigation System, Hawai’i Island – Planning and design for renovation of the existing water tunnel system in the Ka’u area (photos attached)
$500,000 – Waiahole Water System, O’ahu – Planning and design for replacement of nearly century-old siphons and related valves
$300,000 – Kekaha Ditch, Kaua’i – Planning and design for improvements to the Black Pipe Siphon, Pali Wooden Flume and other structures

Senator Akaka co-sponsors ‘Buffett Rule’ tax legislation to tax earners of $1M or more at least 30 percent

Baron — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:19:28 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

Washington, DC – Last week, in his State of the Union address, President Obama said: “Tax reform should follow the Buffett Rule.” Today, U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) and seven colleagues introduced legislation to make that goal a reality and put an end to a tax policy that often asks middle class workers to pay higher tax rates than individuals earning more than $1 million per year.

The Paying a Fair Share Act, introduced by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) and cosponsored by Senators Akaka, Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), and Chuck Schumer (D-New York), would ensure that multi-million-dollar earners pay at least a 30 percent effective tax rate, just as President Obama proposed.

Senator Akaka said, “This bill is about fairness. It’s simply not right that some millionaires pay a lower tax rate than hardworking middle-class families, and like President Obama said in the State of the Union, we must fix it now. We cannot ignore the fact that tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans added nearly a trillion dollars to the debt over the last decade, and the Congressional Budget Office released a report yesterday showing that these tax breaks will continue to push deficits to unsafe levels. Passing this bill would mark a strong first step toward achieving a tax code that returns to the core America values of fairness and shared responsibility.”

The Paying a Fair Share Act would apply only to taxpayers with income over $1 million – including capital gains and dividends. Taxpayers earning over $2 million would be subject to a 30% minimum federal tax rate. The tax would be phased in for incomes between $1 million and $2 million, with those taxpayers paying a portion of the extra tax required to get them to a 30% effective tax rate. The bill also includes language to preserve the incentive for charitable giving.

The legislation is expected to reduce the deficit by tens of billions of dollars, and is currently awaiting a score by the Joint Committee on Taxation.

“It’s time to give middle class families in Rhode Island and across the country the straight deal they deserve,” said Senator Whitehouse, who began drafting the legislation several months ago. “As we continue working to restore our economy, it’s more important than ever to make sure all Americans are paying their fair share toward our nation’s success – and right now that just isn’t happening. It’s inexcusable that our tax system permits ultra-high income earners to pay a lower tax rate than a truck driver or a janitor, and this legislation would help fix that unfair system.”

Senator Whitehouse has pointed out in Senate speeches that the top 400 earners in America paid an average effective tax rate of just 18.2 percent in 2008. President Obama often cites the example of Warren Buffett, who has famously highlighted that he pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.

“As one of the Senate’s strongest advocates for comprehensive tax reform, I’m a firm believer that our tax code is broken and our nation’s top earners need to pay their fair share,” said Senator Begich. “There’s no reason why an Alaska fisherman or teacher should be paying a higher tax rate than a millionaire or billionaire. It makes no sense. Right now our top earners have a special status compared to middle class Alaska families who depend on earned incomes and it’s time to seek fairness.”

Senator Blumenthal said, “The biggest earners should do their fair share – that basic American principle is our goal. I will fight for fairness in our tax code, with this measure as our first step. Hardworking families deserve this measure, and no less.”

“This legislation is a strong first step toward rebuilding the middle class by restoring a measure of fairness to our tax code. In our unbalanced economy, we must provide a tax code that represent the needs of our country, with respect to equality and fairness to our society as a whole,” said Senator Harkin. “By ensuring that the wealthiest among us pay their fair share, we will be better able to afford critical investments in education, infrastructure, and innovation that can rebuild a strong, vibrant middle class.”

Senator Leahy said, “While hard-working Vermont families and small businesses are struggling to make ends meet in a difficult economy, tax fairness has continued to erode, benefitting the wealthiest one percent at the expense of the rest of the country. By now a large proportion of millionaires pay a smaller percentage of their income than do a large share of moderate-income taxpayers. As we grapple with large budget deficits worsened by the Bush tax cuts and two wars overseas, it is just common sense that those who have benefitted the most shoulder their fair share of the burden.”

Senator Sanders said, “With a record-breaking $15 trillion national debt and a growing gap between the very rich and everyone else, it is absolutely absurd that the wealthiest people in the country are paying the lowest effective tax rate in decades. There is no excuse for millionaires and billionaires to have an effective tax rate lower than middle-class families. If we are serious about addressing this deficit crisis, it is imperative that we have a tax system which is fair and which asks the wealthiest people in our country to pay their fair share.”

Civil Defense siren test today at 11:45 a.m.

Baron — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:20:04 +0000

A Civil Defense siren in Puako. Hawaii 24/7 file photo

The Civil Defense sirens are tested monthly at 11:45 a.m. on the first work day of the month. The monthly test is a one minute sounding. It is a good idea to listen to a local radio stations (listed below) during the monthly test to ensure you can receive the Emergency Alert Messages which are broadcast in conjunction with the monthly siren test. The siren system is managed by State Civil Defense. The counties provide assistance with maintenance and operation of the sirens.

Big Island radio stations that carry EAS messages and Civil Defense messages
KPUA (Hilo) 620 AM
KKON (Kona) 790 AM
KHLO (Hilo) 850 AM
KHBC (Hilo) 1060 AM 92.7 FM
KMWB (Kona) 93.1 FM
KLUA (Kona) 93.9 FM
KWXX (Hilo) 94.7 FM
KPVS (Hilo) 95.9 FM
KNWB (Hilo) 97.1 FM
KKBG (Hilo) 97.9 FM
KAGB (Kona) 99.1 FM
KAPA (Hilo) 100.3 FM
KAOY (Kona) 101.5 FM
KBGX (Hilo and Kona) 105.3 FM
KLEO (Kona) 106.1 FM
KWYI (Waimea) 106.9 FM
KKOA (Hilo and Kona) 107.7 FM

State launches website to aid in mapping internet speeds in Hawaii

Baron — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:55:45 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – A new website will allow internet users to determine their computer or electronic device’s internet speed and help the state map its broadband coverage as the Abercrombie Administration moves forward with its Hawai’i Broadband Initiative. Participants can take the test at hawaiispeedtest.net. The data collected will assist the state in identifying and closing gaps in service throughout Hawai’i.

“This is a unique opportunity in which citizens can directly help in an important state initiative,” said Governor Abercrombie. “Right now, current technology such as social media allows citizens to share their thoughts with us. As broadband and technology progresses, people will be able to further engage with the state and each other.”
Data collected in 2012 will provide the state’s broadband specialists an important baseline.

“Measuring broadband speeds is pretty tough, but if we can get enough tests coming in from the public over various times of the day and with various amounts of internet traffic, then we can make a good estimation to work from,” noted Broadband Program Specialist Sterling Yee.

To take the test, visit hawaiispeedtest.net, fill in your current location information, and click “Begin Test.”

Additional Information about the Hawai’i Broadband Initiative

On August 23, 2011, Governor Neil Abercrombie issued an Executive Memorandum on the Hawai’i Broadband Initiative and directed the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to lead the effort. Read the memo here: hawaii.gov/gov/broadba…

The Hawai’i Broadband Initiative has four goals:

Ensure ubiquitous access to world-class gigabit-per-second broadband service at affordable prices throughout Hawai’i.
Increase the use of ultra-high-speed broadband services and applications for economic development, healthcare, education, public safety, governmental efficiency and civic engagement.
Reduce Hawai’i’s barriers to global participation and ensure equitable access for all our islands, including the most remote areas of the state.
Develop and implement a modern regulatory and permitting environment that supports and advances investment in broadband infrastructure and public services.

The Governor also outlined the vision, purpose and goals behind the Hawai’i Broadband Initiative. Click here to learn more: hawaii.gov/gov/broadba…

Also, Australia is launching its own National Broadband Network. Watch this short video to learn more on their effort:

Senator Akaka co-sponsors bill to study health effects of TSA body scanners

Baron — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:33:25 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

Washington, DC – Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), a senior member on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and a bipartisan group of his colleagues today introduced legislation to require an independent study of backscatter x-ray scanners and to require signs to alert travelers they have screening alternatives other than the backscatter machines.

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced the bill, and Senators Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), and Scott Brown (R-Mass.) – all members of the Committee — joined Senator Akaka as cosponsors of the legislation.

The bill would require the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate, in consultation with the National Science Foundation, to commission an independent study on the possible health effects of the x-ray radiation emitted by some of the scanning machines in airports. Second, it would give airline passengers, especially those passengers in sensitive groups, such as pregnant women, clear notice of their ability to choose another screening option in lieu of exposure to ionizing radiation.

In a November hearing of the Committee, TSA Administrator John Pistole agreed to initiate an independent study on the health effects of backscatter Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) machines. But about a week later, however, the Administrator told the Senate Commerce Committee that a forthcoming report by the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General would likely be a sufficient substitute.

Senator Akaka said, “I have repeatedly expressed concerns about the potential health effects of backscatter x-ray whole body scanners at airport checkpoints. An independent study of the radiation risk for airport workers and the flying public in Hawaii and on the mainland is long overdue. This legislation will finally give peace of mind to the millions of people who pass through and operate these machines. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to enact this important legislation.”

“I have urged TSA to move toward only radiation-free screening technology,” said Senator Collins in remarks on the Senate floor. “In the meantime, an independent study is needed to protect the public and to determine what technology is worthy of taxpayer dollars. Surely passengers should be well informed of their screening options. Signs should be placed in such a way that passengers understand and can decide if they want to go through the machines or request alternative screening.”

“Protecting public health and safety means we must provide safe and secure air travel and also make sure that the public has confidence that our security efforts don’t have unintended consequences,” Senator Levin said. “This bill will help reassure Congress and the public that we are making security decisions based on sound science.”

“While body scanners are an integral part of TSA’s multilayered airport security efforts, we must be sure that the technology we are using is not inadvertently harming passengers and airport employees. I’m pleased that this bill takes the steps needed to address those safety concerns,” said Senator Brown.

Governor Abercrombie appoints Barbara Yamashita as DHS Deputy Director

Baron — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:17:47 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

Barbara Yamashita

HONOLULU – Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the appointment of Barbara Yamashita as deputy director of the state Department of Human Services (DHS). She fills the vacancy left by Pankaj Bhanot, who returned to his previous position as chief administrator of the DHS Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD).

“I’m confident that Ms. Yamashita’s extensive, cross-departmental knowledge and practical experience in social work, emergency preparedness and health issues will be invaluable as we strengthen Hawai’i’s safety net for those who most need it,” said Governor Abercrombie.

Ms. Yamashita most recently served as chief of the Department of Health (DOH) Maternal and Child Health Branch, providing strategic leadership and oversight for programs on child abuse and neglect prevention, sexual assault, domestic violence, Healthy Start federal and state models, family planning services, and other child and women’s health issues.

Ms. Yamashita also served as the chief of the DOH Community Health Division, a criminal justice planning specialist with the state Department of the Attorney General, and a hospital administrator for Sutter Health Systems in the expansion of its practice on the island of Moloka’i, Hawai’i Area Region IX coordinator on child abuse issues for the Kapi’olani Women and Children’s Medical Center.

“Ms. Yamashita brings a breadth of professional experience from the private and public sectors to the Department of Human Services,” DHS Director Patricia McManaman said. “Her service at the Department of Health and her commitment to serving the community will be of great benefit to the DHS as we move forward to better serve the public.”

A resident of ‘Aiea, Ms. Yamashita earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sociology and social work, respectively, at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. She also earned certificates from the Department of Human Resources and Development Center for Executive Leadership’s Top Management Certification Program and the former UH College of Business Administration’s Manager in State Government Course.

State extends electric vehicle rebate program with $150K boost

Baron — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:29:33 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

State of Hawai’i adds $150,000 to EV Ready Rebate Program, pushes deadline to March

HONOLULU – The State of Hawai’i is re-energizing its successful EV Ready Rebate Program with an additional $150,000 and has extended the deadline for rebates on new electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and chargers from January 31 to March 31, 2012.

Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and will run through the deadline or while funds are available, whichever comes first. The State anticipates an increase in consumer demand for new electric vehicles this year.

From early January 2011 to mid-January of this year, 528 rebates have been approved for 318 electric vehicles and 210 chargers, with $153,999 remaining in funding as of January 23. The additional funds increase the available total to $303,999. Rebate forms are available on the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s (DBEDT) State Energy Office website at electricvehicle.hawaii…

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs will continue administering the EV Ready Rebate Program.

“The State of Hawai’i is definitely becoming a national leader when it comes to the acceptance of vehicles that are 100 percent electric,” said Mark Glick, Energy Program Administrator for the DBEDT’s State Energy Office. “With the cost of gas still on the rise, these vehicles offer consumers a cost-effective, long-term advantage. Expanding the EV Ready Rebate Program not only helps consumers today, but it will help our State in the long run as we work to reach our energy independence goals.”

Hawai’i residents can apply for State rebates of up to $4,500 on purchases of electric vehicles and up to $500 for electric vehicle chargers through the Hawai’i Electric Vehicle (EV) Ready Program. In addition to the State EV rebates, federal tax incentives of up to $7,500 are also available for highway-capable vehicles (the Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle credit, which applies to at least 200,000 units per auto manufacturer before it phases out). This allows for the potential of up to $12,500 in rebates and tax credits for an individual.

Many electric vehicle manufacturers are continuing to choose Hawai’i as an ideal location for many reasons, including:

Consumers’ high level of enthusiasm to adopt electric transportation. Hawai’i has the largest number of reservations per capita in the country for the Nissan LEAF.
Favorable electricity time-of-use EV charging rates from electric utility companies.
Moderate climate, limited driving distances and a strong tourism industry are ideal for EV utilization.

“EV enthusiasts in Hawai’i have rewarded automakers for rolling out their new electric vehicles in the islands,” stated Dave Rolf, Executive Director of the Hawai’i Automobile Dealers Association. “The highest per capita U.S. market embrace of the Nissan LEAF was in Hawai’i this past year. The State’s addition of $150,000 in Hawai’i state tax rebates for consumers purchasing EVs will help keep the momentum on this important transition to renewable fuels.”

The EV Ready Program is funded by Federal stimulus funds administered by DBEDT. By April 2012, approximately 210 charging stations, at roughly 140 sites across all counties, will be installed as part of the EV Ready Grant Program. Some chargers will have the capacity to charge more than one vehicle at a time.

A listing of publically available EV charging stations in Hawai’i can be found on the Hawai’i Charging Station Database. This database is frequently updated as private and public organizations add charging stations across Hawai’i and as requests to post information are received. The database is available on DBEDT’s State Energy Office website at electricvehicle.hawaii….

The EV Ready Grant and Rebate Programs are part of the Transportation Energy Diversification Project, which is supported by funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These funds are directed for use in the Hawai’i State Energy Program through the U.S. Department of Energy.

DBEDT’s Hawai’i Electric Vehicle EV Ready Program has also provided $2.6 million in grants for the systematic installation of electric vehicle chargers across the State; public education and outreach including an EV Ready Guidebook; introduction of EVs to rental car and county fleets; car-sharing services within the hospitality industry; and an online permitting system for charger installations at single-family residences on O’ahu.

The State of Hawai’i's economic enterprise is to pursue energy independence by building a clean energy economy and reaching 70 percent clean energy by 2030. The DBEDT State Energy Office’s mission is to act as a catalyst for efficiency measures, renewable energy resources, transportation initiatives, green jobs, and investments in Hawai’i's economy. For more information, visit www.energy.hawaii.gov

President Obama’s 2012 State of the Union Address Tuesday (Jan 24)

Baron — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:57:35 +0000

President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Press here for transcript of the 2012 State of the Union Address

THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:

Last month, I went to Andrews Air Force Base and welcomed home some of our last troops to serve in Iraq. Together, we offered a final, proud salute to the colors under which more than a million of our fellow citizens fought — and several thousand gave their lives.

We gather tonight knowing that this generation of heroes has made the United States safer and more respected around the world. (Applause.) For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq. (Applause.) For the first time in two decades, Osama bin Laden is not a threat to this country. (Applause.) Most of al Qaeda’s top lieutenants have been defeated. The Taliban’s momentum has been broken, and some troops in Afghanistan have begun to come home.

These achievements are a testament to the courage, selflessness and teamwork of America’s Armed Forces. At a time when too many of our institutions have let us down, they exceed all expectations. They’re not consumed with personal ambition. They don’t obsess over their differences. They focus on the mission at hand. They work together.

Imagine what we could accomplish if we followed their example. (Applause.) Think about the America within our reach: A country that leads the world in educating its people. An America that attracts a new generation of high-tech manufacturing and high-paying jobs. A future where we’re in control of our own energy, and our security and prosperity aren’t so tied to unstable parts of the world. An economy built to last, where hard work pays off, and responsibility is rewarded.

We can do this. I know we can, because we’ve done it before. At the end of World War II, when another generation of heroes returned home from combat, they built the strongest economy and middle class the world has ever known. (Applause.) My grandfather, a veteran of Patton’s Army, got the chance to go to college on the GI Bill. My grandmother, who worked on a bomber assembly line, was part of a workforce that turned out the best products on Earth.

The two of them shared the optimism of a nation that had triumphed over a depression and fascism. They understood they were part of something larger; that they were contributing to a story of success that every American had a chance to share — the basic American promise that if you worked hard, you could do well enough to raise a family, own a home, send your kids to college, and put a little away for retirement.

The defining issue of our time is how to keep that promise alive. No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important. We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well while a growing number of Americans barely get by, or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. (Applause.) What’s at stake aren’t Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. And we have to reclaim them.

Let’s remember how we got here. Long before the recession, jobs and manufacturing began leaving our shores. Technology made businesses more efficient, but also made some jobs obsolete. Folks at the top saw their incomes rise like never before, but most hardworking Americans struggled with costs that were growing, paychecks that weren’t, and personal debt that kept piling up.

In 2008, the house of cards collapsed. We learned that mortgages had been sold to people who couldn’t afford or understand them. Banks had made huge bets and bonuses with other people’s money. Regulators had looked the other way, or didn’t have the authority to stop the bad behavior.

It was wrong. It was irresponsible. And it plunged our economy into a crisis that put millions out of work, saddled us with more debt, and left innocent, hardworking Americans holding the bag. In the six months before I took office, we lost nearly 4 million jobs. And we lost another 4 million before our policies were in full effect.

Those are the facts. But so are these: In the last 22 months, businesses have created more than 3 million jobs. (Applause.)

Last year, they created the most jobs since 2005. American manufacturers are hiring again, creating jobs for the first time since the late 1990s. Together, we’ve agreed to cut the deficit by more than $2 trillion. And we’ve put in place new rules to hold Wall Street accountable, so a crisis like this never happens again. (Applause.)

The state of our Union is getting stronger. And we’ve come too far to turn back now. As long as I’m President, I will work with anyone in this chamber to build on this momentum. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place. (Applause.)

No, we will not go back to an economy weakened by outsourcing, bad debt, and phony financial profits. Tonight, I want to speak about how we move forward, and lay out a blueprint for an economy that’s built to last -– an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.

Now, this blueprint begins with American manufacturing.

On the day I took office, our auto industry was on the verge of collapse. Some even said we should let it die. With a million jobs at stake, I refused to let that happen. In exchange for help, we demanded responsibility. We got workers and automakers to settle their differences. We got the industry to retool and restructure. Today, General Motors is back on top as the world’s number-one automaker. (Applause.) Chrysler has grown faster in the U.S. than any major car company. Ford is investing billions in U.S. plants and factories. And together, the entire industry added nearly 160,000 jobs.

We bet on American workers. We bet on American ingenuity. And tonight, the American auto industry is back. (Applause.)

What’s happening in Detroit can happen in other industries. It can happen in Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Raleigh. We can’t bring every job back that’s left our shore. But right now, it’s getting more expensive to do business in places like China. Meanwhile, America is more productive. A few weeks ago, the CEO of Master Lock told me that it now makes business sense for him to bring jobs back home. (Applause.) Today, for the first time in 15 years, Master Lock’s unionized plant in Milwaukee is running at full capacity. (Applause.)

So we have a huge opportunity, at this moment, to bring manufacturing back. But we have to seize it. Tonight, my message to business leaders is simple: Ask yourselves what you can do to bring jobs back to your country, and your country will do everything we can to help you succeed. (Applause.)

We should start with our tax code. Right now, companies get tax breaks for moving jobs and profits overseas. Meanwhile, companies that choose to stay in America get hit with one of the highest tax rates in the world. It makes no sense, and everyone knows it. So let’s change it.

First, if you’re a business that wants to outsource jobs, you shouldn’t get a tax deduction for doing it. (Applause.) That money should be used to cover moving expenses for companies like Master Lock that decide to bring jobs home. (Applause.)

Second, no American company should be able to avoid paying its fair share of taxes by moving jobs and profits overseas. (Applause.) From now on, every multinational company should have to pay a basic minimum tax. And every penny should go towards lowering taxes for companies that choose to stay here and hire here in America. (Applause.)

Third, if you’re an American manufacturer, you should get a bigger tax cut. If you’re a high-tech manufacturer, we should double the tax deduction you get for making your products here. And if you want to relocate in a community that was hit hard when a factory left town, you should get help financing a new plant, equipment, or training for new workers. (Applause.)

So my message is simple. It is time to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, and start rewarding companies that create jobs right here in America. Send me these tax reforms, and I will sign them right away. (Applause.)

We’re also making it easier for American businesses to sell products all over the world. Two years ago, I set a goal of doubling U.S. exports over five years. With the bipartisan trade agreements we signed into law, we’re on track to meet that goal ahead of schedule. (Applause.) And soon, there will be millions of new customers for American goods in Panama, Colombia, and South Korea. Soon, there will be new cars on the streets of Seoul imported from Detroit, and Toledo, and Chicago. (Applause.)

I will go anywhere in the world to open new markets for American products. And I will not stand by when our competitors don’t play by the rules. We’ve brought trade cases against China at nearly twice the rate as the last administration –- and it’s made a difference. (Applause.) Over a thousand Americans are working today because we stopped a surge in Chinese tires. But we need to do more. It’s not right when another country lets our movies, music, and software be pirated. It’s not fair when foreign manufacturers have a leg up on ours only because they’re heavily subsidized.

Tonight, I’m announcing the creation of a Trade Enforcement Unit that will be charged with investigating unfair trading practices in countries like China. (Applause.) There will be more inspections to prevent counterfeit or unsafe goods from crossing our borders. And this Congress should make sure that no foreign company has an advantage over American manufacturing when it comes to accessing financing or new markets like Russia. Our workers are the most productive on Earth, and if the playing field is level, I promise you -– America will always win. (Applause.)

I also hear from many business leaders who want to hire in the United States but can’t find workers with the right skills. Growing industries in science and technology have twice as many openings as we have workers who can do the job. Think about that –- openings at a time when millions of Americans are looking for work. It’s inexcusable. And we know how to fix it.

Jackie Bray is a single mom from North Carolina who was laid off from her job as a mechanic. Then Siemens opened a gas turbine factory in Charlotte, and formed a partnership with Central Piedmont Community College. The company helped the college design courses in laser and robotics training. It paid Jackie’s tuition, then hired her to help operate their plant.

I want every American looking for work to have the same opportunity as Jackie did. Join me in a national commitment to train 2 million Americans with skills that will lead directly to a job. (Applause.) My administration has already lined up more companies that want to help. Model partnerships between businesses like Siemens and community colleges in places like Charlotte, and Orlando, and Louisville are up and running. Now you need to give more community colleges the resources they need to become community career centers -– places that teach people skills that businesses are looking for right now, from data management to high-tech manufacturing.

And I want to cut through the maze of confusing training programs, so that from now on, people like Jackie have one program, one website, and one place to go for all the information and help that they need. It is time to turn our unemployment system into a reemployment system that puts people to work. (Applause.)

These reforms will help people get jobs that are open today. But to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow, our commitment to skills and education has to start earlier.

For less than 1 percent of what our nation spends on education each year, we’ve convinced nearly every state in the country to raise their standards for teaching and learning — the first time that’s happened in a generation.

But challenges remain. And we know how to solve them.

At a time when other countries are doubling down on education, tight budgets have forced states to lay off thousands of teachers. We know a good teacher can increase the lifetime income of a classroom by over $250,000. A great teacher can offer an escape from poverty to the child who dreams beyond his circumstance. Every person in this chamber can point to a teacher who changed the trajectory of their lives. Most teachers work tirelessly, with modest pay, sometimes digging into their own pocket for school supplies — just to make a difference.

Teachers matter. So instead of bashing them, or defending the status quo, let’s offer schools a deal. Give them the resources to keep good teachers on the job, and reward the best ones. (Applause.) And in return, grant schools flexibility: to teach with creativity and passion; to stop teaching to the test; and to replace teachers who just aren’t helping kids learn. That’s a bargain worth making. (Applause.)

We also know that when students don’t walk away from their education, more of them walk the stage to get their diploma. When students are not allowed to drop out, they do better. So tonight, I am proposing that every state — every state — requires that all students stay in high school until they graduate or turn 18. (Applause.)

When kids do graduate, the most daunting challenge can be the cost of college. At a time when Americans owe more in tuition debt than credit card debt, this Congress needs to stop the interest rates on student loans from doubling in July. (Applause.)

Extend the tuition tax credit we started that saves millions of middle-class families thousands of dollars, and give more young people the chance to earn their way through college by doubling the number of work-study jobs in the next five years. (Applause.)

Of course, it’s not enough for us to increase student aid. We can’t just keep subsidizing skyrocketing tuition; we’ll run out of money. States also need to do their part, by making higher education a higher priority in their budgets. And colleges and universities have to do their part by working to keep costs down.

Recently, I spoke with a group of college presidents who’ve done just that. Some schools redesign courses to help students finish more quickly. Some use better technology. The point is, it’s possible. So let me put colleges and universities on notice: If you can’t stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down. (Applause.) Higher education can’t be a luxury -– it is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.

Let’s also remember that hundreds of thousands of talented, hardworking students in this country face another challenge: the fact that they aren’t yet American citizens. Many were brought here as small children, are American through and through, yet they live every day with the threat of deportation. Others came more recently, to study business and science and engineering, but as soon as they get their degree, we send them home to invent new products and create new jobs somewhere else.

That doesn’t make sense.

I believe as strongly as ever that we should take on illegal immigration. That’s why my administration has put more boots on the border than ever before. That’s why there are fewer illegal crossings than when I took office. The opponents of action are out of excuses. We should be working on comprehensive immigration reform right now. (Applause.)

But if election-year politics keeps Congress from acting on a comprehensive plan, let’s at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people who want to staff our labs, start new businesses, defend this country. Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship. I will sign it right away. (Applause.)

You see, an economy built to last is one where we encourage the talent and ingenuity of every person in this country. That means women should earn equal pay for equal work. (Applause.) It means we should support everyone who’s willing to work, and every risk-taker and entrepreneur who aspires to become the next Steve Jobs.

After all, innovation is what America has always been about. Most new jobs are created in start-ups and small businesses. So let’s pass an agenda that helps them succeed. Tear down regulations that prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from getting the financing to grow. (Applause.) Expand tax relief to small businesses that are raising wages and creating good jobs. Both parties agree on these ideas. So put them in a bill, and get it on my desk this year. (Applause.)

Innovation also demands basic research. Today, the discoveries taking place in our federally financed labs and universities could lead to new treatments that kill cancer cells but leave healthy ones untouched. New lightweight vests for cops and soldiers that can stop any bullet. Don’t gut these investments in our budget. Don’t let other countries win the race for the future. Support the same kind of research and innovation that led to the computer chip and the Internet; to new American jobs and new American industries.

And nowhere is the promise of innovation greater than in American-made energy. Over the last three years, we’ve opened millions of new acres for oil and gas exploration, and tonight, I’m directing my administration to open more than 75 percent of our potential offshore oil and gas resources. (Applause.) Right now — right now — American oil production is the highest that it’s been in eight years. That’s right — eight years. Not only that — last year, we relied less on foreign oil than in any of the past 16 years. (Applause.)

But with only 2 percent of the world’s oil reserves, oil isn’t enough. This country needs an all-out, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy. (Applause.) A strategy that’s cleaner, cheaper, and full of new jobs.

We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. (Applause.) And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy. Experts believe this will support more than 600,000 jobs by the end of the decade. And I’m requiring all companies that drill for gas on public lands to disclose the chemicals they use. (Applause.) Because America will develop this resource without putting the health and safety of our citizens at risk.

The development of natural gas will create jobs and power trucks and factories that are cleaner and cheaper, proving that we don’t have to choose between our environment and our economy. (Applause.) And by the way, it was public research dollars, over the course of 30 years, that helped develop the technologies to extract all this natural gas out of shale rock –- reminding us that government support is critical in helping businesses get new energy ideas off the ground. (Applause.)

Now, what’s true for natural gas is just as true for clean energy. In three years, our partnership with the private sector has already positioned America to be the world’s leading manufacturer of high-tech batteries. Because of federal investments, renewable energy use has nearly doubled, and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.

When Bryan Ritterby was laid off from his job making furniture, he said he worried that at 55, no one would give him a second chance. But he found work at Energetx, a wind turbine manufacturer in Michigan. Before the recession, the factory only made luxury yachts. Today, it’s hiring workers like Bryan, who said, “I’m proud to be working in the industry of the future.”

Our experience with shale gas, our experience with natural gas, shows us that the payoffs on these public investments don’t always come right away. Some technologies don’t pan out; some companies fail. But I will not walk away from the promise of clean energy. I will not walk away from workers like Bryan. (Applause.) I will not cede the wind or solar or battery industry to China or Germany because we refuse to make the same commitment here.

We’ve subsidized oil companies for a century. That’s long enough. (Applause.) It’s time to end the taxpayer giveaways to an industry that rarely has been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that never has been more promising. Pass clean energy tax credits. Create these jobs. (Applause.)

We can also spur energy innovation with new incentives. The differences in this chamber may be too deep right now to pass a comprehensive plan to fight climate change. But there’s no reason why Congress shouldn’t at least set a clean energy standard that creates a market for innovation. So far, you haven’t acted. Well, tonight, I will. I’m directing my administration to allow the development of clean energy on enough public land to power 3 million homes. And I’m proud to announce that the Department of Defense, working with us, the world’s largest consumer of energy, will make one of the largest commitments to clean energy in history -– with the Navy purchasing enough capacity to power a quarter of a million homes a year. (Applause.)

Of course, the easiest way to save money is to waste less energy. So here’s a proposal: Help manufacturers eliminate energy waste in their factories and give businesses incentives to upgrade their buildings. Their energy bills will be $100 billion lower over the next decade, and America will have less pollution, more manufacturing, more jobs for construction workers who need them. Send me a bill that creates these jobs. (Applause.)

Building this new energy future should be just one part of a broader agenda to repair America’s infrastructure. So much of America needs to be rebuilt. We’ve got crumbling roads and bridges; a power grid that wastes too much energy; an incomplete high-speed broadband network that prevents a small business owner in rural America from selling her products all over the world.

During the Great Depression, America built the Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate Bridge. After World War II, we connected our states with a system of highways. Democratic and Republican administrations invested in great projects that benefited everybody, from the workers who built them to the businesses that still use them today.

In the next few weeks, I will sign an executive order clearing away the red tape that slows down too many construction projects. But you need to fund these projects. Take the money we’re no longer spending at war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the rest to do some nation-building right here at home. (Applause.)

There’s never been a better time to build, especially since the construction industry was one of the hardest hit when the housing bubble burst. Of course, construction workers weren’t the only ones who were hurt. So were millions of innocent Americans who’ve seen their home values decline. And while government can’t fix the problem on its own, responsible homeowners shouldn’t have to sit and wait for the housing market to hit bottom to get some relief.

And that’s why I’m sending this Congress a plan that gives every responsible homeowner the chance to save about $3,000 a year on their mortgage, by refinancing at historically low rates. (Applause.) No more red tape. No more runaround from the banks. A small fee on the largest financial institutions will ensure that it won’t add to the deficit and will give those banks that were rescued by taxpayers a chance to repay a deficit of trust. (Applause.)

Let’s never forget: Millions of Americans who work hard and play by the rules every day deserve a government and a financial system that do the same. It’s time to apply the same rules from top to bottom. No bailouts, no handouts, and no copouts. An America built to last insists on responsibility from everybody.

We’ve all paid the price for lenders who sold mortgages to people who couldn’t afford them, and buyers who knew they couldn’t afford them. That’s why we need smart regulations to prevent irresponsible behavior. (Applause.) Rules to prevent financial fraud or toxic dumping or faulty medical devices — these don’t destroy the free market. They make the free market work better.

There’s no question that some regulations are outdated, unnecessary, or too costly. In fact, I’ve approved fewer regulations in the first three years of my presidency than my Republican predecessor did in his. (Applause.) I’ve ordered every federal agency to eliminate rules that don’t make sense. We’ve already announced over 500 reforms, and just a fraction of them will save business and citizens more than $10 billion over the next five years. We got rid of one rule from 40 years ago that could have forced some dairy farmers to spend $10,000 a year proving that they could contain a spill — because milk was somehow classified as an oil. With a rule like that, I guess it was worth crying over spilled milk. (Laughter and applause.)

Now, I’m confident a farmer can contain a milk spill without a federal agency looking over his shoulder. (Applause.) Absolutely. But I will not back down from making sure an oil company can contain the kind of oil spill we saw in the Gulf two years ago. (Applause.) I will not back down from protecting our kids from mercury poisoning, or making sure that our food is safe and our water is clean. I will not go back to the days when health insurance companies had unchecked power to cancel your policy, deny your coverage, or charge women differently than men. (Applause.)

And I will not go back to the days when Wall Street was allowed to play by its own set of rules. The new rules we passed restore what should be any financial system’s core purpose: Getting funding to entrepreneurs with the best ideas, and getting loans to responsible families who want to buy a home, or start a business, or send their kids to college.

So if you are a big bank or financial institution, you’re no longer allowed to make risky bets with your customers’ deposits. You’re required to write out a “living will” that details exactly how you’ll pay the bills if you fail –- because the rest of us are not bailing you out ever again. (Applause.) And if you’re a mortgage lender or a payday lender or a credit card company, the days of signing people up for products they can’t afford with confusing forms and deceptive practices — those days are over. Today, American consumers finally have a watchdog in Richard Cordray with one job: To look out for them. (Applause.)

We’ll also establish a Financial Crimes Unit of highly trained investigators to crack down on large-scale fraud and protect people’s investments. Some financial firms violate major anti-fraud laws because there’s no real penalty for being a repeat offender. That’s bad for consumers, and it’s bad for the vast majority of bankers and financial service professionals who do the right thing. So pass legislation that makes the penalties for fraud count.

And tonight, I’m asking my Attorney General to create a special unit of federal prosecutors and leading state attorney general to expand our investigations into the abusive lending and packaging of risky mortgages that led to the housing crisis. (Applause.) This new unit will hold accountable those who broke the law, speed assistance to homeowners, and help turn the page on an era of recklessness that hurt so many Americans.

Now, a return to the American values of fair play and shared responsibility will help protect our people and our economy. But it should also guide us as we look to pay down our debt and invest in our future.

Right now, our most immediate priority is stopping a tax hike on 160 million working Americans while the recovery is still fragile. (Applause.) People cannot afford losing $40 out of each paycheck this year. There are plenty of ways to get this done. So let’s agree right here, right now: No side issues. No drama. Pass the payroll tax cut without delay. Let’s get it done. (Applause.)

When it comes to the deficit, we’ve already agreed to more than $2 trillion in cuts and savings. But we need to do more, and that means making choices. Right now, we’re poised to spend nearly $1 trillion more on what was supposed to be a temporary tax break for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. Right now, because of loopholes and shelters in the tax code, a quarter of all millionaires pay lower tax rates than millions of middle-class households. Right now, Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.

Do we want to keep these tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans? Or do we want to keep our investments in everything else –- like education and medical research; a strong military and care for our veterans? Because if we’re serious about paying down our debt, we can’t do both.

The American people know what the right choice is. So do I. As I told the Speaker this summer, I’m prepared to make more reforms that rein in the long-term costs of Medicare and Medicaid, and strengthen Social Security, so long as those programs remain a guarantee of security for seniors.

But in return, we need to change our tax code so that people like me, and an awful lot of members of Congress, pay our fair share of taxes. (Applause.)

Tax reform should follow the Buffett Rule. If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30 percent in taxes. And my Republican friend Tom Coburn is right: Washington should stop subsidizing millionaires. In fact, if you’re earning a million dollars a year, you shouldn’t get special tax subsidies or deductions. On the other hand, if you make under $250,000 a year, like 98 percent of American families, your taxes shouldn’t go up. (Applause.) You’re the ones struggling with rising costs and stagnant wages. You’re the ones who need relief.

Now, you can call this class warfare all you want. But asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that common sense.

We don’t begrudge financial success in this country. We admire it. When Americans talk about folks like me paying my fair share of taxes, it’s not because they envy the rich. It’s because they understand that when I get a tax break I don’t need and the country can’t afford, it either adds to the deficit, or somebody else has to make up the difference — like a senior on a fixed income, or a student trying to get through school, or a family trying to make ends meet. That’s not right. Americans know that’s not right. They know that this generation’s success is only possible because past generations felt a responsibility to each other, and to the future of their country, and they know our way of life will only endure if we feel that same sense of shared responsibility. That’s how we’ll reduce our deficit. That’s an America built to last. (Applause.)

Now, I recognize that people watching tonight have differing views about taxes and debt, energy and health care. But no matter what party they belong to, I bet most Americans are thinking the same thing right about now: Nothing will get done in Washington this year, or next year, or maybe even the year after that, because Washington is broken.

Can you blame them for feeling a little cynical?

The greatest blow to our confidence in our economy last year didn’t come from events beyond our control. It came from a debate in Washington over whether the United States would pay its bills or not. Who benefited from that fiasco?

I’ve talked tonight about the deficit of trust between Main Street and Wall Street. But the divide between this city and the rest of the country is at least as bad — and it seems to get worse every year.

Some of this has to do with the corrosive influence of money in politics. So together, let’s take some steps to fix that. Send me a bill that bans insider trading by members of Congress; I will sign it tomorrow. (Applause.) Let’s limit any elected official from owning stocks in industries they impact. Let’s make sure people who bundle campaign contributions for Congress can’t lobby Congress, and vice versa — an idea that has bipartisan support, at least outside of Washington.

Some of what’s broken has to do with the way Congress does its business these days. A simple majority is no longer enough to get anything -– even routine business –- passed through the Senate. (Applause.) Neither party has been blameless in these tactics. Now both parties should put an end to it. (Applause.) For starters, I ask the Senate to pass a simple rule that all judicial and public service nominations receive a simple up or down vote within 90 days. (Applause.)

The executive branch also needs to change. Too often, it’s inefficient, outdated and remote. (Applause.) That’s why I’ve asked this Congress to grant me the authority to consolidate the federal bureaucracy, so that our government is leaner, quicker, and more responsive to the needs of the American people. (Applause.)

Finally, none of this can happen unless we also lower the temperature in this town. We need to end the notion that the two parties must be locked in a perpetual campaign of mutual destruction; that politics is about clinging to rigid ideologies instead of building consensus around common-sense ideas.

I’m a Democrat. But I believe what Republican Abraham Lincoln believed: That government should do for people only what they cannot do better by themselves, and no more. (Applause.) That’s why my education reform offers more competition, and more control for schools and states. That’s why we’re getting rid of regulations that don’t work. That’s why our health care law relies on a reformed private market, not a government program.

On the other hand, even my Republican friends who complain the most about government spending have supported federally financed roads, and clean energy projects, and federal offices for the folks back home.

The point is, we should all want a smarter, more effective government. And while we may not be able to bridge our biggest philosophical differences this year, we can make real progress. With or without this Congress, I will keep taking actions that help the economy grow. But I can do a whole lot more with your help. Because when we act together, there’s nothing the United States of America can’t achieve. (Applause.) That’s the lesson we’ve learned from our actions abroad over the last few years.

Ending the Iraq war has allowed us to strike decisive blows against our enemies. From Pakistan to Yemen, the al Qaeda operatives who remain are scrambling, knowing that they can’t escape the reach of the United States of America. (Applause.)

From this position of strength, we’ve begun to wind down the war in Afghanistan. Ten thousand of our troops have come home. Twenty-three thousand more will leave by the end of this summer. This transition to Afghan lead will continue, and we will build an enduring partnership with Afghanistan, so that it is never again a source of attacks against America. (Applause.)

As the tide of war recedes, a wave of change has washed across the Middle East and North Africa, from Tunis to Cairo; from Sana’a to Tripoli. A year ago, Qaddafi was one of the world’s longest-serving dictators -– a murderer with American blood on his hands. Today, he is gone. And in Syria, I have no doubt that the Assad regime will soon discover that the forces of change cannot be reversed, and that human dignity cannot be denied. (Applause.)

How this incredible transformation will end remains uncertain. But we have a huge stake in the outcome. And while it’s ultimately up to the people of the region to decide their fate, we will advocate for those values that have served our own country so well. We will stand against violence and intimidation. We will stand for the rights and dignity of all human beings –- men and women; Christians, Muslims and Jews. We will support policies that lead to strong and stable democracies and open markets, because tyranny is no match for liberty.

And we will safeguard America’s own security against those who threaten our citizens, our friends, and our interests. Look at Iran. Through the power of our diplomacy, a world that was once divided about how to deal with Iran’s nuclear program now stands as one. The regime is more isolated than ever before; its leaders are faced with crippling sanctions, and as long as they shirk their responsibilities, this pressure will not relent.

Let there be no doubt: America is determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options off the table to achieve that goal. (Applause.)

But a peaceful resolution of this issue is still possible, and far better, and if Iran changes course and meets its obligations, it can rejoin the community of nations.

The renewal of American leadership can be felt across the globe. Our oldest alliances in Europe and Asia are stronger than ever. Our ties to the Americas are deeper. Our ironclad commitment — and I mean ironclad — to Israel’s security has meant the closest military cooperation between our two countries in history. (Applause.)

We’ve made it clear that America is a Pacific power, and a new beginning in Burma has lit a new hope. From the coalitions we’ve built to secure nuclear materials, to the missions we’ve led against hunger and disease; from the blows we’ve dealt to our enemies, to the enduring power of our moral example, America is back.

Anyone who tells you otherwise, anyone who tells you that America is in decline or that our influence has waned, doesn’t know what they’re talking about. (Applause.)

That’s not the message we get from leaders around the world who are eager to work with us. That’s not how people feel from Tokyo to Berlin, from Cape Town to Rio, where opinions of America are higher than they’ve been in years. Yes, the world is changing. No, we can’t control every event. But America remains the one indispensable nation in world affairs –- and as long as I’m President, I intend to keep it that way. (Applause.)

That’s why, working with our military leaders, I’ve proposed a new defense strategy that ensures we maintain the finest military in the world, while saving nearly half a trillion dollars in our budget. To stay one step ahead of our adversaries, I’ve already sent this Congress legislation that will secure our country from the growing dangers of cyber-threats. (Applause.)

Above all, our freedom endures because of the men and women in uniform who defend it. (Applause.) As they come home, we must serve them as well as they’ve served us. That includes giving them the care and the benefits they have earned –- which is why we’ve increased annual VA spending every year I’ve been President. (Applause.) And it means enlisting our veterans in the work of rebuilding our nation.

With the bipartisan support of this Congress, we’re providing new tax credits to companies that hire vets. Michelle and Jill Biden have worked with American businesses to secure a pledge of 135,000 jobs for veterans and their families. And tonight, I’m proposing a Veterans Jobs Corps that will help our communities hire veterans as cops and firefighters, so that America is as strong as those who defend her. (Applause.)

Which brings me back to where I began. Those of us who’ve been sent here to serve can learn a thing or two from the service of our troops. When you put on that uniform, it doesn’t matter if you’re black or white; Asian, Latino, Native American; conservative, liberal; rich, poor; gay, straight. When you’re marching into battle, you look out for the person next to you, or the mission fails. When you’re in the thick of the fight, you rise or fall as one unit, serving one nation, leaving no one behind.

One of my proudest possessions is the flag that the SEAL Team took with them on the mission to get bin Laden. On it are each of their names. Some may be Democrats. Some may be Republicans. But that doesn’t matter. Just like it didn’t matter that day in the Situation Room, when I sat next to Bob Gates — a man who was George Bush’s defense secretary — and Hillary Clinton — a woman who ran against me for president.

All that mattered that day was the mission. No one thought about politics. No one thought about themselves. One of the young men involved in the raid later told me that he didn’t deserve credit for the mission. It only succeeded, he said, because every single member of that unit did their job — the pilot who landed the helicopter that spun out of control; the translator who kept others from entering the compound; the troops who separated the women and children from the fight; the SEALs who charged up the stairs. More than that, the mission only succeeded because every member of that unit trusted each other — because you can’t charge up those stairs, into darkness and danger, unless you know that there’s somebody behind you, watching your back.

So it is with America. Each time I look at that flag, I’m reminded that our destiny is stitched together like those 50 stars and those 13 stripes. No one built this country on their own. This nation is great because we built it together. This nation is great because we worked as a team. This nation is great because we get each other’s backs. And if we hold fast to that truth, in this moment of trial, there is no challenge too great; no mission too hard. As long as we are joined in common purpose, as long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward, and our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)