Vice President Joe Biden delivers Memorial Day remarks in the Arlington National Cemetery Amphitheater in Arlington, May 31, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

In what he called "the greatest honor of my public life," this morning the Vice President took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns and spoke at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery.  His opening remarks and photos below: 

Collectively, the generation of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who have served and sacrificed for us are the heart and soul, and I would say, spine of this nation.  And as a nation, we pause today to remember them.  They gave their lives fulfilling their oath to this nation and to us.  And in so doing, they imparted a responsibility on us to recognize, to respect, to honor and to care for those who risked their lives so that we can live ours.

Moments ago, I had the distinct honor and high privilege of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  This morning, I welcomed to the White House the Gold Star families, who know all too well the price of their loved ones’ patriotism.  I met Ruth Stonesifer, the current President of the Gold Star Mothers, who lost her son Kristofor on the first night of major operations in Afghanistan on October of 2001; and Emogene Cupp, the mother who played a pivotal role in the early stages of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and unveiled the first panel; to Terry Davis, a remarkable champion of Gold Star families.  Terry, God love her, is a Gold Star sister, a Gold Star wife, and a Gold Star mother -- none should be asked to sacrifice that much. 

And I met the parents, the brother, and the beautiful widow of John Hallet.  I had the privilege of meeting this family when I attended the memorial service at Fort Lewis in Washington State.  John served in a Stryker Brigade that was among the hardest hit in Afghanistan.  He left behind a wife, two young sons, and an infant daughter who he never got to meet -- but who I hope will grow up with the pride in her father filling part of the void that’s left by his loss. 

Each of the Gold Star families embodies, in the words of John Milton, “Those also serve who only stand and wait.”  Many of you in this amphitheater here today have stood and waited, relieved -- as Jill and I were -- at the return of a loved one, in our case our son from a year in Iraq.  Many of you are now waiting, with family members still overseas, many in harm’s way.  And some of you have stood and waited for a loved one that did not return and live now with the knowledge that your will one day be reunited with him, with our heavenly Father.

To those who have lost a loved one in the service of our nation, I recall a famous headstone in Ireland.  And the headstone reads as follows, “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.  Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”  No one can steal the memory from you.  I can tell you from my own personal experience that eventually the pain and heartache you now feel will eventually, God-willing, be replaced by the joyful memory of the son or daughter or husband and wife or father or mother that you loved so dearly and lost.  Jill and my prayer for you is that that day will come sooner rather than later.  But it will come, I promise you.    

Vice President Joe Biden lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, May 31, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden visit with families in section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, May 31, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Vice President Joe Biden talks to a family in section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, May 31, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Vice President Joe Biden greets Gold Star Families during a breakfast in the State Dining room at the White House, May 31, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Ed. Note: For more information on federal response resources, volunteer opportunities, and assistance for those in affected areas visit WhiteHouse.gov/Deepwater-BP-Oil-Spill.

Below is the latest in the ongoing Administration-wide response provided by the Joint Information Center.  

Heidi Avery is White House Deputy Homeland Security Advisor

Vice President Joe Biden delivers the commencement address at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, May 28, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

This afternoon the Vice President gave the commencement address at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, and spoke with awe of the tradition the graduates in the audience were becoming a part of:

You all possess traits that Secretary Bancroft knew were necessary when he set up this Academy 165 years ago.  But you all also possess skills, talents, and capacity that are beyond -- far beyond anything -- anything Secretary Bancroft could have thought of 165 years ago.

But notwithstanding that, you are part of a long continuum.  You're writing a new chapter in a long history of a strong tradition of this great Naval Academy.  You’re all going to be part of a fraternity that goes back 165 years and binds you together like little I have seen in my experience.  No matter how long you serve in uniform, even when you’re out of uniform, you will come across fellow Annapolis graduates, share sea stories, discuss those “Four years by the Bay” -- and know -- and know like few others in the nation can know that wherever you go there is somebody who will have your back, even though they don't know you personally.

That’s an awesome sense of pride and patriotism.  And it’s an awesome sense of pride and patriotism that comes over you all when you sing “Navy Blue and Gold.”  It’s a feeling that few have a right to share like all of you.  This place is special, even to those of us who didn’t attend it.  This place is special.  And you’ve had a special experience that has given you a bond that’s going to last you a lifetime.  You will be amazed how tight that bond is and how long it will last.

Vice President Joe Biden greets newly commissioned Second Lieutenant Huy Truong who he mentioned during his commencement address at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, May 28, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

To be clear though, he made clear that he was in awe of the graduates on their own merits as well:

You know, for four long years now, you’ve looked forward to this moment -- they’ve looked forward to it, as well -- to watch you walk across this stage:  Marines, aviators, SWOs, SEALs, E.O.D., submariners -- and there may be just a special bit of pride for the families of the 11 -- the 11 who will be the first Naval Academy women to serve on submarines. 

Ladies and gentlemen, for all of you, the breadth of the assignments you’ve taken on is matched only by the depth of the skill you’ll leave this field with.  You’ve been trained by the very best.  And you leave here with an astounding capacity to lead.

Newly commissioned Ensigns take the Oath of Office after Vice President Joe Biden delivered the commencement address at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, May 28, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Today we were honored to welcome the United States Men’s Soccer Team as they finish their final preparations for the FIFA World Cup next month in South Africa. 

After 18 games and nearly two years of work to qualify for the most watched sporting event on earth, the team was relaxed and at ease as they made their way through the White House to meet some of their biggest fans.

The visit was part of the team’s “Send-Off Series,” which will culminate on Saturday with a match against Turkey in Philadelphia, PA.

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden greet the U.S. World Cup Soccer team and former President Bill Clinton on the North Portico of the White House, May 27, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

After touring the White House, the team met the President, the Vice President, and President Clinton for a photo on the North Portico. 

As U.S. Coach Bob Bradley said, the guys were pretty fired up: “It was a great honor for our team to visit the White House and meet President Obama, Vice President Biden and President Clinton. We are proud to be representing our country in South Africa, and there is no greater way to reinforce that message than to hear it directly from the President of the United States.”

Vice President Biden will be representing the United States at the World Cup, including the Opening Ceremonies on June 11th and the USA’s first game against England on June 12th. The United States is also bidding to become the host country for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, and President Clinton is the chair of the US Bid Committee.

We have high hopes for this team, as they have already proven they can compete and win at the highest levels of international competition, most notably in last years’ Confederations Cup.  As the President said, “Everybody is going to be rooting for you. Although sometimes we don’t remember here in the United States, this is going to be the biggest world (stage) and you’re going to be representing all of us. We are incredibly proud of what you’ve done already.”

President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton greet the U.S. World Cup Soccer team on the North Portico of the White House, May 27, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Landon Donovan, the all-time leading goal scorer for the U.S., summed up the feelings of the team: “We feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend time with three of the most powerful people in the world. Their interest in the sport of soccer and, specifically, our team was inspiring. It is something I will never forget.”

Michael Strautmanis is Chief of Staff to the Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Engagement

Thanks for checking out the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, walk step by step with the President as he signs a memorandum on fuel efficiency, meets with his economic team and Congressional leaders about Wall Street reform, delivers the commencement address at West Point, hosts the leaders of Lebanon and Liberia, plays basketball with Russian students, holds a reception for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, celebrates National Small Business Week, holds discussions with Senate, Republicans, travels to California, checks out some solar panels, talks economics with workers, welcomes NCAA Men’s Basketball Champs the Duke Blue Devils and the US World Cup Soccer Team,  gives a press conference on the BP oil spill and much more.

Friday, May 21st

• President Obama signs a Presidential Memorandum on Fuel Efficiency

Saturday, May 22nd

• President Obama delivers the commencement address at the West Point Military Academy

Monday, May 24th

• President Obama calls the Governor’s of Gulf Coast States
• President Obama hosts a reception to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Tuesday, May 25th

• President Obama celebrates small business week

Wednesday, May 26th

• President Obama tours Solyndra inc.

Thursday, May 27th

• President Obama welcomes the Duke Blue Devils
  
• President Obama holds a press conference
• President Obama meets with Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Arun Chaudhary is the official White House videographer

Today, an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal misstates many provisions of the Affordable Care Act and fails to mention the many ways the new law will improve our health care system for small business owners and their employees. Here are the facts:

Bringing Down Costs, Reducing the Deficit
Without reform, health care costs will continue to crush business and government budgets. The Affordable Care Act reverses this trend. Americans buying comparable coverage to what they have today in the individual market would see premiums fall by 14 to 20 percent.  The total cost of care provided to Americans who get their insurance through the workplace could fall by as much as $3,000 a person and lower costs will make it easier for businesses to provide quality benefits to their employees. And the Congressional Budget Office has also confirmed that the Affordable Care Act will reduce the deficit by more than $100 billion by the end of the decade and lead to even greater deficit reduction in the next decade.

Cost Reduction and Tax Credits for Small Business
An estimated 4 million small businesses nationwide could qualify for a small business tax credit this year, which will provide a total of $40 billion in relief for small firms over the next 10 years. These tax credits are specifically targeted to the small firms that find it hardest to provide insurance to their workers. Qualifying for the credits isn’t difficult, nor does it require small business owners to fill out a long series of new forms. You can learn more about the tax credits here.

But tax credits aren’t the only way small businesses will benefit from the Affordable Care Act. A number of reforms in the new law will bring down premiums and health care costs for all Americans. Those reforms include rewarding providers for providing high-quality care and fighting waste, fraud and abuse. The new law also gives small businesses access to Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Exchanges. Currently, small businesses pay 18 percent more in premiums and higher administrative costs than large businesses. SHOP exchanges will expand the purchasing power of small businesses and the Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that they will help drive premiums down.

Requiring Insurance Companies to Pay Their Fair Share
Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies will have access to millions of new customers, many of whom will receive support from the federal government to purchase private insurance. With insurance companies reaping such a substantial benefit, it’s only right for them to pay their fair share and do their part to reform and improve our health care system.  An analysis of the impact of reform legislation on insurance premiums by the Congressional Budget Office found that the impact of insurance industry fees on small firms would be “modest,” and that even after accounting for these fees, small group plans will face lower premiums to purchase health insurance coverage.

Reporting Requirements
Beginning in 2013, the new law includes provisions requiring new information reporting on the purchase of certain goods. Some in the business community have expressed concerns with this provision and the IRS is looking for every way to minimize any burden on businesses and avoid duplicative reporting. For example, the IRS has already indicated that transactions done with a credit or debit card will be exempt from this provision, so whenever a business uses a credit card for a purchase, there will be no reporting requirement under the new law. The IRS is working diligently to answer questions on this provision and will consider alternate approaches and continue to seek out input and comments from small businesses in the weeks and months ahead.

The Bottom Line
The Affordable Care Act will bring down costs and improve health care for all Americans – including small business owners and their employees. You can learn more about the benefits of the new law for small businesses by clicking here.

Stephanie Cutter is Assistant to the President for Special Projects

Today marks only six days until the start of hurricane season. FEMA is working across the administration and with our state and local officials to be ready and earlier today I joined Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano, NOAA Administrator Dr. Lubchenco, Bill Read of the National Hurricane Center and five FEMA regional administrators to brief President Obama about our continuing efforts.

FEMA has been in regular contact with Governors, congressional delegations, and emergency managers in coastal states to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to prepare for, respond to, and recover from any potential hurricane impacts.

FEMA, the states, and local governments all have important roles, but the bottom line is - we can only be as prepared as the public is prepared. The fact is FEMA is only part of the team. State, tribal and local offices, the private sector, faith-based groups, non-profits, and most importantly, the general public, all have a role to play as well.

Families and business in coastal communities all need to take steps now to prepare for hurricane season – but because no one is immune from emergencies, you should take these steps to increase your preparedness whether you live in a hurricane-prone area or not.

They include putting together a communications plan, getting an emergency kit, and staying informed and following the instructions of local officials. Ready.gov is a valuable source of information on preparedness, with links for business and children as well.

FEMA also recently launched a mobile version of our website, which can be found at m.fema.gov, to give people quick access to the disaster information and tools on their smart phones.

This season there has also been a lot of questions on the BP oil spill. Our planning has certainly involved consideration of the effects that the BP oil spill could have on the response capabilities and recovery scenarios. But, the existence of the spill does not change FEMA’s initial priority during a response, which is to support the states and do everything possible to protect lives and property. And my message to the public is – whether or not we have an oil spill, if you have a major hurricane coming, you have to listen to the advice of your state and local officials, and if they tell you to evacuate, you need to evacuate.

Hurricane season officially starts June 1st. So now’s the time to get ready – get a family communications plan, put together an emergency kit, and pay attention to announcements and instructions from local officials. Being prepared will go a long way toward keeping your family safe this summer.

For more information on how to how your family can become better prepared, visit www.ready.gov.

Craig Fugate is the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency

Yesterday, Vice President Biden held a Middle Class Task Force roundtable with small business employers and employees who are participating in highly successful jobs programs around the country.  These state programs, funded through part of the Recovery Act, give employers a strong incentive to hire by paying for part of a new employee’s wages.  These jobs programs are now up and running in 31 different states, and according to the most recent study, the programs will have placed 186,000 workers in jobs by the end of September.

We heard today about just how effective these subsidies have been.  We had small business owners from Florida and New York telling us about how they have grown their businesses by bringing on new workers and training them.  And we heard from some of those workers, who told us about the difference these programs have made in their lives by ending tough spells of unemployment and putting their careers back on track.

We’ve heard stories like these from all over the country.  As the economy has started turning around, small business owners are starting to think about expanding, but often they’re not sure they can afford the cost of training new workers.  By helping cover the cost of new employees in those crucial first months, these subsidized jobs programs are allowing businesses to finally start putting unemployed workers back on the job.

Unfortunately, the funding for these jobs programs will expire at the end of September unless Congress passes an extension, which is under debate right now.  This Administration is continuing to push Congress to extend these programs, but stories like the ones the Vice President heard today really demonstrate the importance of that extension.  These programs are creating jobs that are making a real difference in the lives of workers – both unemployed workers who are struggling not to fall out of the middle class, and those who aspire to work their way into the middle class for the first time. 

To learn more about these subsidized jobs programs, including all the jobs they’re creating right now and why it’s so important that Congress continues them for another year, take a look at this Middle Class Task Force white paper (pdf).

Tobin Marcus is the Deputy Economic Policy Advisor in the Office of the Vice President

The President’s highest priority is always to keep the American people safe. Today the Administration is releasing the National Security Strategy that lays out a strategic approach for advancing American interests, including the security of the American people, a growing U.S. economy, support for our values, and an international order that can address 21st century challenges.

• Read the full National Security Strategy (pdf)

The National Security Strategy is guided by a clear understanding of our increasingly interconnected world where the free flow of information, people and goods continues to accelerate at an unprecedented pace promising new opportunities while simultaneously posing challenges that no longer recognize borders: global networks of terrorists and criminals, threats in space and cyberspace, a degrading climate, and technologies with tremendous destructive power. The response systems and international architecture of the 20th century, designed for another time, are buckling under the weight of these new threats. Currently, these realities describe the world as it is.

Throughout American history, we have risen to such moments of transition and faced new challenges head on to help shape a world of greater security and prosperity. The National Security Strategy is a blueprint for pursuing the world that we seek by outlining a strategy to rebuild our foundations, promote a just and sustainable international order, strengthen and integrate national capabilities, all while advancing American interests, security, prosperities, and universal values.

From ensuring strong alliances, which are the foundation of U.S., regional and global security, to leveraging American leadership to encourage sustained international cooperation to address global issues, America has the tools to face the national security challenges of the 21st century while holding true to the universal values our nation has stood for since its founding.

Join Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communication, for a live online video discussion about the National Security Strategy today at 3:00 PM EDT via Facebook.

• Watch, discuss and engage through Facebook
• Watch live here at WhiteHouse.gov