A quick look at the week of February 7, 2011:

President Barack Obama greets the employees during a stop at Donkers candy store and restaurant in Marquette, Mich., February 10, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

Quote: "America has always used the building of our infrastructure networks to take our economy forward and to build out American industry. The Wireless Initiative is going to bring that to the 21st Century. It's going to take it to the next level, because that's the American way."--Austan Goolsbee, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, explaining the National Wireless Initiative on the White Board.

Advise the Advisor: Your direct line to senior staff at the White House kicks off with a new video with Senior Advisor David Plouffe.

Open for Suggestions: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wants to hear from you. Check out the new ConsumerFinance.gov, share your suggestions for the bureau and watch video responses.

Out-Building: This week, the President puts forward plans to build up the nation's infrastructure, investing in things like high speed rail, and expanding broadband access so all of America's families will be equipped to win the future:

In this White House White Board, Austan Goolsbee, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, explains the National Wireless Initiative.  This plan will help America win the future by building a 21st Century infrastructure.

Moments ago, the President released the statement below:

The Egyptian people have been told that there was a transition of authority, but it is not yet clear that this transition is immediate, meaningful or sufficient. Too many Egyptians remain unconvinced that the government is serious about a genuine transition to democracy, and it is the responsibility of the government to speak clearly to the Egyptian people and the world. The Egyptian government must put forward a credible, concrete and unequivocal path toward genuine democracy, and they have not yet seized that opportunity.  

As we have said from the beginning of this unrest, the future of Egypt will be determined by the Egyptian people. But the United States has also been clear that we stand for a set of core principles. We believe that the universal rights of the Egyptian people must be respected, and their aspirations must be met. We believe that this transition must immediately demonstrate irreversible political change, and a negotiated path to democracy. To that end, we believe that the emergency law should be lifted. We believe that meaningful negotiations with the broad opposition and Egyptian civil society should address the key questions confronting Egypt’s future: protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens; revising the Constitution and other laws to demonstrate irreversible change; and jointly developing a clear roadmap to elections that are free and fair.

We therefore urge the Egyptian government to move swiftly to explain the changes that have been made, and to spell out in clear and unambiguous language the step by step process that will lead to democracy and the representative government that the Egyptian people seek.  Going forward, it will be essential that the universal rights of the Egyptian people be respected. There must be restraint by all parties. Violence must be forsaken. It is imperative that the government not respond to the aspirations of their people with repression or brutality. The voices of the Egyptian people must be heard.

 

The Egyptian people have made it clear that there is no going back to the way things were: Egypt has changed, and its future is in the hands of the people. Those who have exercised their right to peaceful assembly represent the greatness of the Egyptian people, and are broadly representative of Egyptian society. We have seen young and old, rich and poor, Muslim and Christian join together, and earn the respect of the world through their non-violent calls for change. In that effort, young people have been at the forefront, and a new generation has emerged. They have made it clear that Egypt must reflect their hopes, fulfill their highest aspirations, and tap their boundless potential. In these difficult times, I know that the Egyptian people will persevere, and they must know that they will continue to have a friend in the United States of America.

Speaking at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan, the President took a moment at the top of his remarks to express support for Egyptians who continue their protests, saying "we want those young people and we want all Egyptians to know America will continue to do everything that we can to support an orderly and genuine transition to democracy in Egypt."  He added that "as we watch what’s taking place, we’re also reminded that we live in an interconnected world," and that was the purpose of the President's visit to the school, which has embraced high-speed wireless services and in doing so served as a model for the what the future of America could look like.

President Barack Obama speaks via teleconference to a group of students 20 miles away at Negaunee High School during a distance learning demonstration at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich., February 10, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

As the President laid out in his State of the Union, our winning the future will depend on innovation, education, responsibility, reform, and rebuilding America's infrastructure for the 21st Century -- and that's what his National Wireless Initiative would do.  As the President explained today, his plan would expand wireless coverage to 98% of Americans, while reducing the deficit by nearly $10 billion by making more government spectrum available:

For our families and our businesses, high-speed wireless service, that’s the next train station; it’s the next off-ramp.  It’s how we’ll spark new innovation, new investment, new jobs. 

And you know this here in Northern Michigan.  That’s why I showed up, in addition to it being pretty and people being nice.  (Laughter and applause.)  For decades now, this university has given a new laptop to every incoming student.  Wi-Fi stretched across campus.  But if you lived off-campus, like most students and teachers here, you were largely out of luck.  Broadband was often too expensive to afford.  And if you lived a bit further out of town, you were completely out of luck, because broadband providers, they often won’t build networks where it’s not profitable, just like they wouldn’t build electrical lines where it wasn’t profitable.

So this university tried something new.  You partnered with various companies to build a high-speed, next-generation wireless network.  And you managed to install it with six people in only four days without raising tuition.  Good job.  Good job, Mr. President.  (Applause.)  By the way, if you give me the name of these six people -- (laughter) -- there’s a whole bunch of stuff in Washington I’d like to see done in four days with six people.  (Laughter.) 

So today, this is one of America’s most connected universities, and enrollment is near the highest it’s been in 30 years.

And what’s more -- and this is what makes this special -- you told nearby towns that if they allowed you to retrofit their towers with new equipment to expand your network, then their schools, their first responders, their city governments could use it too.  And as a result, police officers can access crime databases in their cars.  And firefighters can download blueprints on the way to a burning building.  And public works officials can save money by monitoring pumps and equipment remotely. 

And you’ve created new online learning opportunities for K-12 students as far as 30 miles away, some of whom -- (applause) -- some of whom can’t always make it to school in a place that averages 200 inches of snow a year.  (Laughter and applause.)  Now, some of these students don’t appreciate the end of school [snow] days.  I know Malia and Sasha get really excited about school [snow] days.  Of course, in Washington things shut down when there’s an inch of snow.  (Laughter.)  But this technology is giving them more opportunity.  It’s good for their education, it’s good for our economy.  In fact, I just came from a demonstration of online learning in action.  We were with Professor Lubig and he had plugged in Negaunee High School -- (applause) -- and Powell Township School in Big Bay.  (Applause.)  So I felt like the guy in Star Trek.  I was being beamed around -- (laughter) -- across the Upper Peninsula here.  But it was remarkable to see the possibilities for these young people who are able to, let’s say, do a chemistry experiment, and they can compare the results with kids in Boston.

Or if there’s some learning tool or material they don’t have immediately accessible in their school, they can connect here to the university, and they’re able to tap into it. 

It’s opening up an entire world to them.  And one of the young people who I was talking to, he talked about foreign policy and what we were seeing in places like Egyptian.  And he said, what’s amazing especially for us is that now we have a window to the entire world, and we can start understanding other cultures and other places in ways that we could never do without this technology.

For local businesses, broadband access is helping them grow and prosper and compete in a global economy. 

President Barack Obama greets the employees during a stop at Donkers candy store and restaurant in Marquette, Mich., February 10, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

Editor's Note: This post is a part of the Celebrating Black History Month series, which highlight the work of African Americans who are contributing to the President's goals for winning the future.

As every American knows, who we are is deeply influenced by how we grew up – and the influences that shaped us.  I grew up in Spokane, Washington, which is in the eastern part of the state, and had the opportunity to attend what is now known as Central Washington University.  My parents were engaged in the community, and in the weight of things, I am James and Lydia Sims’ son through and through.  My values, my expressions, and what I care for are all reflective of that.  I was one of those lucky children who experienced lots of love, and the benefit of good parenting – and it’s why I feel so strongly about giving future generations of kids the good homes and quality opportunities they need.

And at HUD, I’m in a position to help do that.  As Deputy Secretary, I see myself as clearing obstacles out of the way to let our talented staff do their jobs and affect change, particularly in traditionally underserved communities.  Through the Federal Housing Administration, for example, we help responsible first-time homebuyers get access to a mortgage.  For families who can’t afford a loan, HUD’s multifamily, tenant-based programs help them rent affordable housing.  Our homelessness programs provide shelter and supportive services to those who don’t otherwise have a roof over their heads.  A big part of our mission is helping what the Baptist tradition calls “the least, the last, and the lost.” 

Our employees embody that determination to make a difference.  And under the leadership President Obama and  Secretary Donovan, our mission has expanded still further.  We’re no longer just a housing agency – we’re engaged in comprehensive community development to help rebuild so many areas harmed by the economic crisis. 

Today, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. In her testimony the Administrator highlighted the agency's ongoing efforts to develop sensible standards that update the Clean Air Act, while ensuring that the landmark law continues to provide Americans the protections from dangerous pollution that they deserve. These reasonable steps will ensure that the air our children breathe and the water they drink is safe, while also providing certainty to American businesses.

Despite these pragmatic steps to implement long overdue updates, big polluters are trying to gut the Clean Air Act by asking Congress to carve out special loopholes from air pollution standards.  

The Clean Air Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency the necessary tools to protect our families from a number of harmful pollutants that can cause asthma and lung disease – especially in children.  Weakening these standards would allow more pollution in the air we breathe and threaten our children’s health. We thought it might be helpful to refresh everyone on how this landmark law affects our country and protects our health.

• 160,000 Lives Saved Last Year
  In the year 2010 alone, clean air regulations are estimated to have saved over 160,000 lives.
   
• More than 100,000 Hospital Visits Avoided Last Year
  In 2010, clean air standards prevented millions of cases of respiratory problems, including bronchitis and asthma. It enhanced productivity by preventing millions of lost workdays, and kept kids healthy and in school, avoiding millions of lost school days due to respiratory illness and other diseases caused or exacerbated by air pollution.
   
• 60% Less Pollution in Our Air, Strong Economic Growth and Lower Electricity Prices
  Since 1970, the Clean Air Act has reduced key air pollutants that cause smog and particulate pollution by more than 60%.  At the same time the economy more than tripled.  And Since the Clean Air Act Amendments in 1990, electricity production is up and prices are down.  In 2009, electric utilities delivered 33 percent more electricity to U.S. households and businesses than in 1990, while nationwide electricity prices were 10 percent lower.
   
• Benefits Far Out Weigh Costs
  Over its forty-year span, the benefits of the Clean Air Act – in the form of longer lives, healthier kids, greater workforce productivity, and ecosystem protections – outweigh the costs by more than 30 to 1.

Editor’s Note: This post is part of a series where readers can meet average Americans already benefiting from the health reform law, the Affordable Care Act.

Nan Warshaw owns a record company in Chicago, Illinois, and makes the health insurance decisions for her seven person staff. Her company covers the full cost of insurance for her employees. Like other small business owners, she has seen premiums skyrocket in recent years. But thanks to the tax credits for small businesses in the Affordable Care Act, providing health insurance for her employees will be a little easier.

Today, small businesses pay 18 percent more for health insurance premiums than large businesses.   The Affordable Care Act changes that by providing tax credits for small businesses that offer employees health insurance.  Up to 4 million small businesses could be eligible for relief from high health insurance premiums and, according to the independent Congressional Budget Office, the tax credit will save small businesses $40 billion by 2019. And the tax credit is available to small business owners like Nan today.

The tax credits are just one of the ways the health reform law will help small businesses. The law will also help level the playing field with large employers by allowing small businesses to band together to get a fairer deal from insurance companies through the creation of competitive private health insurance markets called Exchanges that go into effect in 2014. Exchanges help organize the health insurance marketplace to help consumers and small businesses shop for coverage in a way that permits easy comparison of available plan options based on price, benefits and services, and quality. Pooling people together can help bring costs down and Exchanges will make our health care system more transparent and competitive by making it easier for consumers to compare costs and benefits.

Listen to Nan’s story:

Stephanie Cutter is Assistant to the President and Deputy Senior Advisor.

I am pleased to tell you that today President Obama issued an Executive Order called "The Establishment of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Advisory Committees," establishing two intellectual property enforcement advisory committees designed to improve the Federal Government’s intellectual property enforcement efforts.  The President's issuance of the Executive Order further confirms his Administration's commitment to creating jobs and improving the economy by strengthening the enforcement of intellectual property laws, the laws designed to protect and foster America's inventiveness and creativity.

In his State of the Union address, the President emphasized that to remain competitive in today’s world economy, to create jobs and new business opportunities, we need to unleash the creative spirit of the American people, the same spirit that has made us the most prosperous nation in the world.  In his weekly address on January 29, 2011, the President reiterated that “America will win the future by out-innovating, out educating and out building our competitors.”  At a meeting at the White House on January 28, 2011, flanked by Cabinet members, other senior Administration officials, and the CEOs of several of our top companies, Vice President Biden echoed the President’s remarks, further noting that we must also work hard to protect our intellectual property to ensure that the “innovative ideas and creative products reach their full potential without being stolen, co-opted or, quite frankly, compromised.” 

To ensure that the Administration does its best to protect these innovations and creative products, today  the President issued this Executive Order, which establishes a Cabinet level Senior Intellectual Property Enforcement Advisory Committee comprised of the heads of the Departments responsible for intellectual property enforcement, including the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, Commerce, Health and Human Services, State, Treasury, Agriculture and USTR.  The Executive Order also establishes the Intellectual Property Enforcement Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from the agencies responsible for designing and carrying out the Administration’s strategy for stopping intellectual property theft. 

The committees established by this Executive Order will encourage innovation by focusing and intensifying the Administration’s efforts to combat intellectual property theft in the United States and abroad.  Confident that their innovations and creativity will be protected, our intellectual property industries will continue to develop countless ground-breaking products while creating new sustainable jobs and contributing even more to our economic well being.

Victoria Espinel is the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator.

To strengthen our economy and win the future, President Obama is calling for investments in innovation and technology leadership.

Today’s announcement from the Department of Energy is a perfect example of how these investments in innovation can create jobs and make America more competitive.

The Department’s Jaguar Supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is one of the fastest, most powerful machines in the world – roughly equivalent to 100,000 times the computational power of typical home laptop.  We are making the supercomputer available to innovative companies – large and small – who are using it to develop and test new products that can be manufactured in the United States.