Barack Obama

Community colleges will no longer be a best-kept secret.

The true power of the arts and the humanities is that you speak to everyone.

We need to finish the work we started last year by extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits for the rest of this year.

The Community College to Career Fund will allow federal agencies to partner with state and local governments to encourage businesses to invest in America.

Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr., of Maryland, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner for the term expiring June 30, 2017.

We condemn the regime's violent repression of its own citizens.

We built this Budget around the idea that our country has always done best when everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.

These investments will give more community colleges the resources they need to become community career centers.

Each of you have traveled a unique path to get here, and your fields represent the full spectrum of the arts and humanities.

Richard F. Griffin, Jr., of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring August 27, 2016.

I will continue to make education a national mission.

Terence Francis Flynn, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring August 27, 2015.

America was built on the idea that anyone who is willing to work hard and play by the rules, can make it if they try.

America has also advanced because of paintings and poems, stories and songs.

The Fund will support community college-based training programs that will expand targeted training that will meet the needs of employers in growth and demand sectors.

William P. Doyle, of Pennsylvania, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner for the term expiring June 30, 2013.

Those of us in public service will need to keep finding ways to make government more efficient and more effective.

You help guide our growth as a people.

This is not about class warfare; this is about the Nation's welfare.

High-quality education is absolutely critical to rebuilding our economy

Sharon Block, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2014.

Kenneth Merten, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Croatia.

The arts and the humanities do not just reflect America, they shape America.

Katharina G. McFarland, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.

This Budget is a step in the right direction.