Secretary Kerry Issues Statement on Union of the Comoros’ National Day

Department of State
Washington, DC
July 3, 2014

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Comoros as you mark the 39th anniversary of your independence on July 6.

As you continue down the path toward democratic rule, the governments of our two nations have deepened their mutual respect and friendship. We look forward to working in partnership with Comoros to promote education, economic growth, cultural exchange, and regional security.

The United States shares your hopes for a safe and prosperous future, where all Comorans have a voice in society and can enjoy the benefits of liberty and peace.

Secretary Kerry Issues Statement on Malawi’s National Day

Department of State
Washington, DC
July 3, 2014

On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of Malawi as they celebrate a half century of independence on July 6.

This year also marks 20 years of multiparty democracy in Malawi. The recent elections served as an example of a peaceful change of government for the entire region. Malawians spoke from the ballot box and stood for the rule of law.

On this day of celebration, all Malawians should be proud of their work to end the scourge of HIV/AIDS. While serving in the Senate, I worked closely with Sen. Frist and Sen. Helms on the bipartisan legislation that became the foundation for PEPFAR. Back then, AIDS was a looming death sentence for the entire African continent. What I saw on my most recent trip to Sub-Saharan Africa would never have seemed possible.

Today, we all hold up Malawi as a model and a leader in this fight. Malawi has saved thousands of men, women, and children from HIV infection with the help of antiretroviral drugs. You are on the front lines of a critical mission: creating an AIDS-free generation.
On this proud occasion, I wish all Malawians a happy National Day.

Facts About America – The Fourth of July 2014

U.S. Census Bureau News
Profile America – Facts for Features
June 25, 2014

The Fourth of July 2014
On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked with red, white and blue flags, fireworks, parades and backyard barbecues across the country.

2.5 million
In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation. Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970
http://www2.census.gov/prod2/statcomp/documents/HistoricalStatisticsoftheUnitedStates1789-1945.pdf

318.4 million
The nation’s estimated population on this July Fourth.
Source: U.S. and World Population Clock http://www.census.gov/popclock/

The Signers
56
Numbers of signers to the Declaration of Independence.
Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston comprised the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration. Jefferson, regarded as the strongest and most eloquent writer, wrote most of the document.
It’s also worth noting that:

* John Hancock, President of the Second Continental Congress, was the first signer. This merchant by trade did so in an entirely blank space making it the largest and most famous signature – hence the term John Hancock, which is still used today as a synonym for signature. There are 7.4 million businesses with paid employees in the U.S., of those establishments 1 million are in the retail trade industry.

* Benjamin Franklin (age 70), who represented Pennsylvania, was the oldest of the signers. Franklin County, Pa., had an estimated population of 152,085 as of July 1, 2013. Edward Rutledge (age 26), of South Carolina, was the youngest.

* Two future presidents signed, John Adams (second President) and Thomas Jefferson (third President). Both died on the 50th anniversary of signing the Declaration (July 4, 1826). There are 12 counties nationwide named Adams and 26 named Jefferson.

* Robert Livingston, who represented New York, was on the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence but was recalled by his state before he could sign it. Livingston County, N.Y., was home to an estimated 64,705 people as of July 1, 2013.

* Representing Georgia in 1776 were Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall and George Walton. Gwinnett County, Ga. (859,304), Hall County, Ga. (187,745) and Walton County, Ga. (85,754) were named for these signers.

* Charles Carroll, who represented Maryland, was the last surviving signer of the Declaration. He died in 1832 at the age of 95. Carroll County, Md., named for him, had an estimated population of 167,564 as of July 1, 2013.

* Roger Sherman, who worked as a land surveyor and lawyer, represented Connecticut. Nationally in 2012, there were an estimated 29,976 surveyors, cartographers and photogrammetrists employed full time, year-round, and 841,077 lawyers employed full time, year-round nationwide.

* Nelson County, Va. (14,789) and Wythe County, Va. (29,344) were named for two of the six signers who represented the state of Virginia – Thomas Nelson Jr. and George Wythe.

Sources: TIGER Shapefiles, the Census Bureau’s geographic database (Place/MCD/County combined “used within name”count), unpublished, 2012 County Business Patterns and Annual
Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013


And the Rocket’s Red Glare
$203.6 million
The value of fireworks imported from China in 2013, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($213.8 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $10.2 million in 2013, with Israel purchasing more than any other country ($2.7 million).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statistics, Code 360410 https://usatrade.census.gov/

U.S. Flags
$4.0 million
In 2013, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags. The vast majority of this amount ($3.9 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statistics, Code 6307909825
https://usatrade.census.gov/

$781,222
Dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2013. The Dominican Republic was the leading customer, purchasing $160,000 worth.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statistics, Code 6307909825
https://usatrade.census.gov/

This Land Is Your Land
Fifty-nine places contain the word “liberty” in the name. Pennsylvania, with 11, has more of these places than any other state. Of the 59 places, four are counties: Liberty County, Ga. (64,135), Liberty County, Fla. (8,349), Liberty County, Mont. (2,369) and Liberty County, Texas (76,907).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, TIGER Shapefiles, the Census Bureau’s geographic database
(Place/MCD/County combined “used within nam”count), unpublished and Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013

One place has “patriot”in its name: Patriot, Ind., has an estimated population of 205.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2013/PEPANNRES/1620000US1858392
The most common patriotic-sounding word used within place names is “union” with 136. Pennsylvania, with 33, has more of these places than any other state. Other such words most commonly used in place names are Washington (127), Franklin (118) and Lincoln (95).
Sources: TIGER Shapefiles, the Census Bureau's geographic database (Place/MCD/County combined “used within name” count), unpublished and Annual Estimates of the Resident
Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013

The British are Coming!
$100 billion
Dollar value of trade in 2013 between the United States and the United Kingdom, making the British, our adversary in 1776, our seventh-leading trading partner today.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statistics http://www.census.gov/foreign-rade/statistics/highlights/top/top1312yr.html

Fourth of July Cookouts
62.9 million
Total estimated number of hogs and pigs as of March 1, 2014. Chances are that the pork hot dogs and sausages consumed on the Fourth of July originated in Iowa. The Hawkeye State was home to an estimated 19.8 million hogs and pigs. North Carolina (estimated at 8.0 million) and Minnesota (estimated at 7.8 million) were also homes to large numbers of pigs.
Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/HogsPigs/HogsPigs-03-28-2014.pdf

220,521
The number of paid employees (for the pay period including March 12) who worked in a poultry-processing establishment in the U.S. in 2012. There were 517 such establishments – California(45)had the most. Georgia has the most establishments with greater than 1,000 employees (13),followed by Arkansas (11) and North Carolina (8).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 County Business Pattern, NAICS 311615
http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/

6.1 billion pounds
Total estimated production of cattle and calves in Texas in 2013. There is a good chance that the beef hot dogs, steaks and burgers on your backyard grill came from the Lone Star State, which accounted for nearly one-sixth of the nation’s total production. And if the beef did not come from Texas, it very well may have come from Nebraska (estimated at 5.1 billion pounds) or Kansas
(estimated at 3.7 billion pounds).
Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/MeatAnimPr/MeatAnimPr-04-29-2014.pdf

Second Lady Jill Biden Visits School in Lusaka, Zambia

Photo: US Embassy Zambia Facebook page
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice President
July 2, 2014

Remarks As Prepared for Delivery by Dr. Jill Biden
Shalom Community School
Lusaka, Zambia
Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Hi, everyone! Thank you, Martha, for that great introduction! Dr. Scott, thank you for joining me today. I can see very quickly that we share many of the same passions.

Provincial Education Officer Ngosa Korati and District Education Board Secretary Ruth Phiri – thank you for honoring us with your presence today. Head Teacher George Kaamba and students – thank you for such a warm welcome!

It’s a pleasure to be here at Shalom Community School and to meet all of you – and to be joined by Administrator Raj Shah, head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Cathy Russell, the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues and David Young, our Charge d’Affaires in Zambia.

I don’t want to keep you from your studies so I just want to say a few quick words. I am very lucky – as Second Lady of the United States, I have the opportunity to travel all around the world.

And as a lifelong teacher, one of my favorite things to do when I travel is to meet students, like all of you.

What all of you are doing – putting your education first – is so important. By focusing on your studies, you are creating a lifetime of opportunities for you and your families.

So on my trip over the next few days, one of the areas I will be focusing is education.

But I will also be looking at how women’s participation in government, the economy, and civil society can accelerate economic development, improve health and educational outcomes, and foster peace and security.

The United States is committed to making sure girls and young women have the tools they need to not just survive – but to thrive in their communities.

Through partnerships with Zambia and other African governments, we hope to improve women’s lives through educational opportunities, access to healthcare, combatting gender-based violence, and empowering women – because a nation cannot reach its full economic potential until its women reach theirs.

Many countries around the world now recognize that bringing more women into the workforce is key to economic growth, productivity and prosperity.

From Japan to Italy to Mexico and certainly in the United States, governments and business leaders understand that we cannot afford to leave growth on the table and are pursuing new policies to make sure that women can enter, stay and contribute to the economy.

First and foremost, this means making sure that all students have access to quality education.

I have seen firsthand what a difference this can make all over the world.

A few years ago I had the incredible opportunity to visit a school for girls in Kenya where I saw how a strong educational foundation can provide a sense of hope – of normalcy – and the chance at a better life.

Last year, I visited a local Muslim girls’ school in India where I will never forget how enthusiastic they were to learn, and just how proud they were to show me their school. I already have the same feeling from all of you!

And today, I’m proud to stand with Dr. Scott, your Second Lady, who has been a leading voice in Zambia to raise awareness of gender violence and girls’ education.

Earlier this year, Dr. Scott’s efforts brought together thousands of young people, the First Lady, celebrities and the UN, for a “Bring Back Our Girls” event to show solidarity for the kidnapping of young Nigerian girls from their school.

The horrific event in Nigeria has rightfully captured attention and anger everywhere.

Their story reminds us that girls around the globe risk their lives to pursue their ambitions – and together, we must do more to ensure that all girls and boys have the opportunities everyone deserves:

• We all want the opportunity to pursue our dreams and be treated with respect – regardless of our gender;
• We all want to have access to resources to help us stay healthy;
• And we all want to feel safe and secure as we pursue our dreams.

Education makes all of those possible.

I’ve been a teacher for over 30 years. I love helping students – navigate their future and see it grow bright before their eyes.
And that’s exactly what’s happening to all of you.

Because of the education you are getting, you are being set on a lifelong path where most of all, you have the confidence and tools you need to succeed.

Over the next few days, I look forward to learning more about what is happening here in Zambia, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in Sierra Leone.

Next month, the United States will host the first U.S.- Africa Leaders Summit where I hope to share what I learn during this trip, including your story – a story of an aspiring generation prying open the doors of opportunity to all, including women who want to participate in your government, help grow and drive your economy, and to foster peace and security in your country and throughout Africa.

Your generation will write a new chapter in the story of Africa—one of vibrant, peaceful societies – where the problems of the past are a distant memory – where young Africans are enjoying opportunities undreamt of by their parents and grandparents.

Where the sky is the limit and growth and progress are happening fast.

That Africa is already emerging, year by year.

Zambia is part of that story.

And if you work hard and study hard, that will be your story, too.

As Nelson Mandela said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

You may ask yourself: how does the life of one person – me – fit into that big picture?

If you change one classroom, pretty soon that classroom has changed one school. That school has changed a village, that village has changed a province and that province has changed a country.

None of that happens if it doesn’t start somewhere.

It starts with you, making a difference in your own life. Your own school. Your own village.

Thank you so much for opening your school to me. You all are my inspiration and I’m excited to see what you do in the future.

U.S. Issues Statement on Mauritania’s Presidential Election

Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC June 30, 2014

The United States congratulates the people of Mauritania on the successful completion of peaceful and orderly presidential elections on June 21. We greatly value our long-standing friendship and partnership with Mauritania and the Mauritanian people. The United States looks forward to continuing to work with President-elect Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and the Government of Mauritania to promote prosperity and regional security.

We also note Mauritania’s Chairmanship of the African Union and look forward to continuing to work with Mauritania to support an action-oriented U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.

President Obama Issues Statement on Elections in Libya

Photo: Reuters – Ali Jarekji
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
June 26, 2014

I congratulate the Libyan people on the conclusion of the elections for a new Council of Representatives, a milestone in their courageous efforts to transition from four decades of dictatorship toward a full democracy. While yesterday’s vote demonstrates the power of individual Libyans in determining their future, we recognize that elections are just one step in Libya’s broader democratic transition. Libya’s new government must now focus on building consensus to address the challenges of establishing security, providing effective public services, and ensuring an inclusive political process. The United States calls on all parties to renounce violence and resolve differences through political dialogue and participation in the democratic process. The United States was proud to support the Libyan people in the darkest days of their revolution and through their efforts to end the Qadhafi regime, and we remain committed to supporting the Libyan people as they work to lay the foundations of a democratic society during this challenging yet historic time.

Secretary Kerry Issues Statement on Democratic Republic of the Congo’s National Day

Department of State
Washington, DC
June 30, 2014

On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of Democratic Republic of the Congo as they celebrate their Independence Day.

I was inspired during my visit to Congo this spring. In Kinshasa, I met Patricia Nzolantima, who led me on a tour of a medical supply company helping people access lifesaving pharmaceuticals. She also publishes a magazine so thousands of Congolese could access a free press. In addition, I met young people, teeming with energy and ability, ready to make their mark in a stable DRC.

The United States is committed to helping the Congolese people achieve a peaceful, just, and prosperous future. We congratulate you on your recent economic progress. But most of all, we commend your progress in restoring stability in the eastern DRC by defeating the M23 rebels and pursuing other armed groups that have terrorized your country for too long.

The United States look forward to working with you to ensure that the future of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its citizens is bright and hopeful.