Tuesday, September 10, 2019

1600 Daily The White House • September 10, 2019 President Trump’s message to Historically Black Colleges and Universities

1600 Daily
The White House • September 10, 2019

President Trump’s message to Historically Black Colleges and Universities 


For over 180 years, America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have made extraordinary contributions to our country, helping bring the American Dream to millions of African-American students and many others.

Today, President Donald J. Trump addressed the 2019 National HBCU Week Conference, where he pledged to keep building on his Administration’s work in support of these important institutions. “Together, we will ensure that HBCUs continue to thrive and prosper and flourish for the countless generations to come,” he said.

  President Trump: We’re finally fighting for OUR forgotten communities!

The success of HBCUs was a priority for the Trump Administration from day one. Barely a month after taking office, President Trump signed an Executive Order to move the Federal HBCU initiative back into the White House. From there, he made sure that agencies across his Administration were developing plans to enhance their support for HBCUs.

President Trump also secured and signed legislation that added more than $100 million for scholarships, research, and centers of excellence at HBCU land grant institutions.

Lifting up forgotten communities across America is the single most important agenda item for President Trump. Last week’s jobs report, for example, revealed that the African-American unemployment rate is now at its lowest level ever recorded. And new economic census data, released today, shows that America’s poverty rate just hit its lowest level since 2001.

A bunch of policies helped make that happen: pro-growth tax cuts, regulatory reform, new trade deals, and so on. But one creative idea that doesn’t get enough attention is President Trump’s creation of “Opportunity Zones.” Part of the 2017 tax cuts law, Opportunity Zones drive capital investment into distressed communities across the country with tax incentives for long-term commitments. The result is a projected $100 billion in new investments across 9,000 such communities.

HBCUs have a crucial role to play in this revival of the American Dream. “You have shaped American leaders, trained American legends, pioneered American innovations, empowered American workers, built American communities, and you've made all of America very proud of you and the job you've done,” President Trump said today. “My administration is determined to fight for you.”

By the numbers: African-American unemployment rate hits new all-time low.

More: How President Trump is lifting up America’s forgotten communities

In photos: Ivanka Trump’s push for apprenticeships


Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump traveled to Alabama today to meet with students from the Robotics Tech Park, a state-of-the-art manufacturing training facility. While there, she announced that the apprenticeship program—part of Toyota’s Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME)—will be expanded across the country.

“The Administration is committed to ensuring inclusive growth and opportunity in our booming economy by creating pathways for all Americans, regardless of age or background,” Ms. Trump said. “I applaud the Toyota Motor Company and Manufacturing Institute for expanding the FAME program, which will build upon the economic successes we’ve had in the manufacturing industry.”

The Alabama “success story” under President Trump is remarkable, Ms. Trump tweeted. Since Election Day 2016, the state’s unemployment rate has reached an all-time low of 3.3 percent. In that time, more than 500,000 manufacturing jobs have been added, compared to 7,000 lost in 2016. “We’re just getting started,” she wrote.

Today’s visit comes as part of President Trump’s Pledge to America’s Workers, a nationwide effort to get private-sector companies to commit to better training and reskilling opportunities for our country’s great workforce.

In photos: Ivanka Trump visits Alabama. 

See the President’s Pledge: Over 12 million opportunities—and climbing!

Photo of the Day

Official White House Photo Shealah Craighead
President Trump listens as Executive Director of the White House Opportunity & Revitalization Council Scott Turner delivers remarks at the 2019 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Conference | September 10, 2019

Message to the Congress Continuing the National Emergency With Respect To Foreign Interference In or Undermining Public Confidence In U.S. Elections

Office of the Press Secretary
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:


    Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days before the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to the threat of foreign interference in or undermining public confidence in United States elections declared in Executive Order 13848 of September 12, 2018, is to continue in effect beyond September 12, 2019.

    Although there has been no evidence of a foreign power altering the outcomes or vote tabulation in any United States election, foreign powers have historically sought to exploit America's free and open political system.  In recent years, the proliferation of digital devices and internet-based communications has created significant vulnerabilities and magnified the scope and intensity of the threat of foreign interference.  The ability of persons located, in whole or in substantial part, outside the United States to interfere in or undermine public confidence in United States elections, including through the unauthorized accessing of election and campaign infrastructure or the covert distribution of propaganda and disinformation, continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13848 with respect to the threat of foreign interference in or undermining public confidence in United States elections.


                              DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,
    September 10, 2019.


 

Notice Continuing the National Emergency With Respect To Foreign Interference In or Undermining Public Confidence In U.S. Elections

Office of the Press Secretary
 
NOTICE
 
- - - - - - -
 
CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN OR UNDERMINING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN UNITED STATES ELECTIONS
 
     On September 12, 2018, by Executive Order 13848, I declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the threat of foreign interference in or undermining public confidence in United States elections.

     Although there has been no evidence of a foreign power altering the outcomes or vote tabulation in any United States election, foreign powers have historically sought to exploit America's free and open political system.  In recent years, the proliferation of digital devices and internet-based communications has created significant vulnerabilities and magnified the scope and intensity of the threat of foreign interference.  The ability of persons located, in whole or in substantial part, outside the United States to interfere in or undermine public confidence in United States elections, including through the unauthorized accessing of election and campaign infrastructure or the covert distribution of propaganda and disinformation, continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  For this reason, the national emergency declared on September 12, 2018, must continue in effect beyond September 12, 2019.  Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13848 with respect to the threat of foreign interference in or undermining public confidence in United States elections.

     This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.
 

 
                              DONALD J. TRUMP


 
THE WHITE HOUSE,
    September 10, 2019.

AMERICANS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS ARE EXPERIENCING ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN THE TRUMP ECONOMY

Office of the Press Secretary

AMERICANS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS ARE EXPERIENCING ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN THE TRUMP ECONOMY

The strong Trump economy has created an environment where job opportunities are plenty and Americans are lifted out of poverty.
 

ASSOCIATED PRESS: US Household Income Finally Matches 1999 Peak; Poverty Drops

“The Census Bureau says that median household income rose 0.9% in 2018 to an inflation-adjusted $63,179 from $62,626 in 2017. The poverty rate fell to 11.8%, the lowest annual level since 2001. That improvement reflects increased income over the past several years for many workers in low-wage jobs.”

THE WASHINGTON POST: For The First Time, Most New Working-Age Hires In The U.S. Are People Of Color 

“The surge of minority women getting jobs has helped push the U.S. workforce across a historic threshold. For the first time, most new hires of prime working age (25 to 54) are people of color, according to a Washington Post analysis of data the Labor Department began collecting in the 1970s. Minority hires overtook white hires last year. Women are predominantly driving this trend, which is so powerful that even many women who weren’t thinking about working — because they were in school, caring for kids or at home for other reasons — are being lured into employment, according to The Post’s analysis.”

REUTERS: Tight U.S. Labor Market Shrinks Gender And Race Gaps To Record Lows

“A tight U.S. labor market and booming demand in industries with an abundance of female workers is drawing more women back into the workforce, helping to shrink the longstanding gap in the labor participation rate between men and women to the narrowest on record. Other parts of a report released by the Labor Department on Friday showed that the longest economic expansion on record is leading to improvements for workers who are often left on the sidelines. Not only did the unemployment rate for African Americans drop to a record low of 5.5% in August, it narrowed to being 1.62 times the white unemployment rate, the smallest gap ever.”

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Minority Women Are Winning The Jobs Race In A Record Economic Expansion

“…Hispanic women have emerged as the biggest job market winners in an economy that has now grown for 121 straight months, assuming data released in coming months confirms continued growth. Employment rates for Hispanic women between 25 and 54, prime working years, have jumped by 2.2 percentage points since mid-2007, the eve of the Great Recession. That’s the most of any prime-age working group. Black women came in second, adding 1.6 percentage points.”

WASHINGTON EXAMINER: Black Unemployment Rate Hits Record Low

“The unemployment rate among black Americans hit a record low in August, closing in on the gap in unemployment rates between white and black Americans. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics released their August report Friday, which showed the economy gained 130,000 jobs in August with the overall unemployment rate holding steady at 3.7%. The report also showed that black unemployment fell to 5.5%, which is the lowest rate recorded since the Labor Department started tracking the number in the 1970s.”

THE DAILY CALLER: Black Unemployment Hits Record Low, Spurred By Uptick In Employment For Black Women

“The unemployment rate for black workers fell from 6.0% in July to 5.5 % in August, data from the Department of Labor reveals.  These number surpass the record low set in May 2018 of 5.9% for black unemployment. These record low numbers are impacted by unemployment numbers for black women. While July numbers revealed unemployment for black women to be at 5.2%, August numbers saw that figure drop to 4.4%.”

CNS NEWS: Hispanic Unemployment Rate Ties All-Time Low

“The number of Hispanics and Latinos employed set a record high in August as their national, seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate matched its record low of 4.2%, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released Friday show. In August, the unemployment rate for Hispanics and Latinos, aged 16 and up, was 4.2%, down from 4.5% in July, returning to the record low of 4.2% in April and May – which broke the record low of 4.3% set two months earlier in February.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Unemployment Rate Hits Record Low For Asian Americans

“The unemployment rate for Asian Americans fell to 2.1% in June, its lowest level on records dating to 2003. The result reflects Asian Americans coming off the sidelines to look for work and finding it.”

BREITBART: 6.2 Million Individuals Off Food Stamps Under Trump

The most recent USDA data shows that 6,268,285 individuals discontinued their participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)— the program in charge of food stamps— since February 2017 when Trump finished his first month as president.”


REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP AT THE 2019 NATIONAL HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WEEK CONFERENCE The Renaissance Hotel Washington, D.C.

Office of the Press Secretary
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP
AT THE 2019 NATIONAL HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES WEEK CONFERENCE

The Renaissance Hotel
Washington, D.C.

 
2:27 P.M. EDT

     THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  It's a great honor to be here with you.  And Ja’Ron, you're a special person -- a great friend of my daughter and my son-in-law.  And he's done an incredible job.

And it's really wonderful to be with the unbelievable leaders of our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  It was a very important trip for me to be here with you today.  A couple of people aren’t happy because I had to cancel them out, but that’s okay.  We don’t mind.

I'm truly honored to be here today to celebrate the vital and cherished role of the HBCUs in American life.  Together, we will ensure that HBCUs continue to thrive and prosper and flourish for the countless generations to come.  For more than -- (applause) -- it's true.  We're doing it.  And you know we're doing it.  We've done a lot, and we're going to do a lot more.

For more than 180 years, HBCUs have strengthened our country and called America to greatness.  Your institutions have been pillars of excellence in higher education and the engines of advancement for African American citizens.  They've been incredible, the job they've done.  (Applause.)

You have shaped American leaders, trained American legends, pioneered American innovations, empowered American workers, built American communities, and you've made all of America very proud of you and the job you've done, and all of those great students that have learned so much from your wisdom.  Thank you very much.

This nation owes a profound and enduring debt of gratitude to its HBCUs.  (Applause.)  So true.  And that is why we gather to pay tribute to this remarkable legacy and to renew our commitment to protecting, promoting and supporting HBCUs like never before.  And I think you've seen that.  You've seen this administration's commitment bigger and better and stronger than any previous administration, by far.  So that’s very important.

My administration is determined to fight for you and the noble institutions you represent each and every day.

We're grateful to be joined this afternoon by a tireless supporter of HBCUs, Secretary Betsy DeVos, who is in the audience some place.  (Applause.)  Betsy, thank you.  Thank you, Betsy.  Thank you.

I also want to recognize our terrific executive director of the White House HBCUs initiative, Johnathan Holifield.  (Applause.)  Where is Johnathan?  (Applause.)

And I want to tell you, Evander Holyfield is a friend of mine and he could fight.  (Laughter.)  You always knew when went in the ring with Evander, he may be 50 pounds lighter, but you knew it was going to be a tough night out there for you.  But he was something.

I just spoke with my Board of Advisors for HBCUs.  And let me thank our amazing Chairman, Johnny Taylor.  Johnny, thank you very much.  (Applause.)  Great job, Johnny.

And also, our Board member here today -- and we have a few of them:

Aminta Breaux.  (Applause.) Aminta, thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you very much.

Phyllis Dawkins.  (Applause.)  Phyllis, thank you.  Great job, Phyllis.

Rodney Ellis.  (Applause.)  Rodney, thank you.  Thank you very much, Rodney.

Marshall Grigsby.  (Applause.)  Thank you, Marshall.  Thank you.

Nickolas Justice.  (Applause.)  Thanks, Nickolas.

Ronald Johnson.  (Applause.)  Thanks, Ronald.  Thank you.

Harold Martin.  (Applause.)  Thank you, Harold, very much.

Bernard Milano.  (Applause.)  Connie Rath and Billy Hawkins.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you all.

And, Billy, I will always remember the Talladega Marching Band in my inaugural parade.  That was something.  You topped them all.  That was a great -- that’s a great group.  Thank you very much.  They were fantastic.

This afternoon, we are also thrilled to be joined by more than 40 students who were selected as the 2019 White House HBCU Competitiveness Scholars.  Would you please stand so that we can congratulate you and applaud?  Where are you?  (Applause.)  See, that’s what it’s all about, when you get right down to it, isn’t it?

The inspiring tradition of HBCUs dates back to the Civil War era, when pastors, abolitionists, and men and women who had escaped slavery founded many of the first colleges and universities for African Americans.  That’s a long time ago.

In 1861, a free African American woman, Mary Peake, taught 20 students under an oak tree near a Union base in Virginia.  That tree still stands tall and mighty on the campus of Hampton University.  (Applause.)  Good school. 

In the face of immense hardship and painful injustice, your schools rose to the very pinnacle of academia, becoming many of America’s finest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning.  Tremendous respect everybody has for the work that many of you have done -- almost everybody in this room has done.  I can tell you.

HBCU graduates have improved and uplifted every feature of American society.  From your halls came great Americans like Booker T. Washington, Rosa Parks, Ida B. Wells, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, acclaimed inventor Lonnie Johnson, Air Force General Daniel James Jr., NFL Hall-of-Famer Jerry Rice, and legendary Coach Eddie Robinson.  Eddie Robinson was a good coach.  (Applause.)  I think Eddie Robinson won more games than anybody, didn’t he?  (Laughter.)  Is that true?  Is that true?  I think so.

And we are -- by the way, have Scott Turner, speaking about good football players.  Where is Scott?  He’s leading such a great charge with the Opportunity Zones.  (Applause.)   Thank you, Scott.  He’s a great, great gentleman.  He works so hard.  He goes -- he’s all over the place.  I say, “Where’s Scott today?”  He’s in about six cities at one time.  (Laughter.)  And the Opportunity Zones have really caught on.  Been incredible.  Thank you, Scott.     

During World War II, Tuskegee University trained the young Americans who would become the legendary Tuskegee Airmen.  That was great group of people.

Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. graduated from Morehouse College.  (Applause.)  That’s great.

And African American students helped plan the Montgomery Bus Boycott in the basement of another HBCU, Alabama State University.  (Applause.)

Our Historically Black Colleges and Universities have always challenged our nation to be better and braver, to do what is right, to dream bigger, aim higher, and always be bolder in pursuit of what is just, decent, and true.

HBCUs represent only 3 percent of America’s higher education institutions.  You get graduates -- 80 percent -- think of that: 80 percent of African American judges, 40 percent African American engineers, and more than 50 percent of African American doctors.  That’s an incredible statement.  From 3 percent overall to 50 percent and more for doctors.  (Applause.)  That’s an incredible statistic.  It’s an incredible achievement.   

My administration is deeply devoted to advancing this amazing legacy of success, commitment, and contribution to our nation.  You have never stopped working to improve this country, and you deserve a government -- you have to just keep going.  You really do deserve a government that never stops working for you.  And you never stop working for it.  You’re amazing people in this room.  Incredible people.  And I congratulate you for it.  (Applause.)

     That is why, in my first weeks in office, I took action to make HBCUs a top priority once again.  I signed an executive order to move the federal HBCU initiative to the White House, right where it belongs.  (Applause.)

Over the past two and a half years, we have listened and learned from you, and we have taken very, very major action.  I think you know that.  I signed legislation to increase federal funding for HBCUs by a record 13 percent.  That was the highest ever done.  (Applause.)

When members of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund asked us to lift the ban on Pell Grants for summer classes, I included that change in my budget, and we worked with Congress and we got it done.  (Applause.)  And, you know, we had a little opposition to getting that done, I must tell you.  But we got it done.

In the fall of 2017, we met with leaders of HBCUs devastated by Hurricane Katrina: Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans, Tougaloo College, Xavier University of Louisiana.

And less than a year later, my administration took action to fully forgive their disaster loans, so these colleges could get out of debt and back to their critical mission of educating our nation’s future leaders -- and truly great leaders they will be.  So, congratulations.  (Applause.)

Last year, my administration also worked with UNCF and key members of Congress to provide capital finance loan deferment to 13 HBCUs that presented rigorous plans for growth.  In total, over the last two and a half years, through the Capital Financing Program, we have provided more than $500 million in loans to HBCUs.  (Applause.)  At a very good interest rate, I might add.  (Laughter.)

Right here in our nation’s capital, we delivered an additional grant of $15 million to the only federally chartered HBCU -- a great school, with a great reputation, that was already mentioned once today: Howard University.  It really is; it's a great school.  (Applause.)

I signed a farm bill that included more than $100 million for scholarships, research, and centers of excellence at Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are land-grant institutions.  One hundred million dollars.  (Applause.)

And thanks to Secretary DeVos leadership and her work with many of you, we've also made unprecedented progress to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens so that your institutions are free to innovate and offer more flexible ops -- you know, options for the students.  And you're doing that.  You're doing a lot of great options.  I looked at some before.  They've got a lot of really great options, and that's what you need.

Today, I'm thrilled to announce another major action we're taking to protect HBCUs.  Previously, federal law restricted more than 40 faith-based HBCUs and seminaries from fully accessing federal support for capital improvement projects.  This meant that your faith-based institutions, which have made such extraordinary contributions to America, were unfairly punished for their religious beliefs.  Did we know that?  Did everybody know that?  Because it was -- it was hap- -- that was not good.

This week, our Department of Justice has published an opinion declaring such discriminatory restrictions as unconstitutional.  (Applause.)  It was a big step.  And from now on, faith-based HBCUs will enjoy equal access to federal support.  (Applause.)

When I came into office, I directed the entire federal government to develop a strategy to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  Today, 32 federal departments and agencies have released statements of priority that are helping your institutions receive resources and support that you deserve.

To give just a few examples, NASA is expanding outreach to HBCU students who want to become scientists, engineers, and even astronauts.  I don't know about the astronaut.  I don't want to be an astronaut.  How about you?  Does anybody want to be an astronaut over there?  (Laughter.)  Huh?  I don’t see too many hands going up.  (Laughter.)  I see one.  There’s one brave person over there.  That’s pretty great though.  But what we’ve done there is terrific.  And for those that do want to be an astronaut and those other wonderful things, it’s now possible.

The Departments of Labor and Education are working with HBCUs to increase apprenticeship opportunities.  Our federal budget also prioritizes HBCUs in our plan to give more students access to state-of-the-art training in high-demand fields, such as science, technology, engineering, and math.  We want to help each student have the experience they need to get a tremendous job, enjoy a rewarding career, and join our great national effort to rebuild America, which is what we’re doing.  (Applause.)

The fierce dedication to strengthening HBCUs is a core part of my administration’s unwavering focus on the project of national renewal.

We are working every day to make decisive decisions so that we can really avoid many of the failures of the past.  There have been so many failures.  It just didn’t work.  And a lot of that has been our government’s fault; they didn’t allow it to work.  We are fixing decades of mistakes made by politicians in both parties who put the needs of other countries before our own country, and who put special interests before the interests of everyday, hardworking people.

Past leaders spent trillions of dollars in the Middle East, but they let our citizens suffer, our middle class languish, and our neighborhoods fall into total disrepair.  And they didn’t take care of our -- you know, our colleges.  I mean, our colleges at different levels.  They didn’t take care of a lot of things.

The Washington establishment enacted ruinous trade policies that devastated millions of hardworking families and inflicted deep economic pain on many African American communities.  Both leaders in both parties let China and other nations loot our jobs, raid our factories, and shatter the dreams of our citizens.  China would take out of our country more than $500 billion a year for many years and steal our intellectual property.  Things are much different today.

More than half a million African Americans lost good-paying manufacturing jobs after a twin disasters of NAFTA and China’s entrance into the WTO.  That’s the World Trade Organization.  That was when it all began to happen.  These were not good deals.  You’re going to all make better deals than that.  You have to promise me, when you’re up here someday -- one of you or two of you or three of you, at different times, of course.  (Laughter.)  You’ll be up here.  We don’t do any tries over here, right?  But you’ll be at different times, but you’ll do much better than the past.

But under this administration, the era of economic surrender is over.  We are bringing back our jobs, we’re bringing back our wealth, and we are bringing back our dignity.  The stock market is getting ready, it seems, to hit the 118th day.  We have had 118 records, where we hit the highest point.  And three weeks ago, they were saying, “Recession, recession.”  They were hoping for a recession because maybe that would hurt our chances of doing all of the things that we’re doing.

But we’re getting ready, it looks like, to hit another great milestone, another great all-time stock market record, which to me means jobs, more than anything else.  Forget about stock prices; it means jobs.

After years of building up other countries, we are finally building up our country, standing up for our workers, and fighting for our forgotten communities.

The first and highest duty of government is to take care of its own citizens.  African Americans built this nation through generations of blood, sweat, and tears.  And you, like all of our citizens, are entitled to a government that puts your needs, your interests, and your families first.  (Applause.)

The first agenda and the America First agenda is about the sacred bonds of love and loyalty that unite all Americans.  That is why we're joining forces with HCBUs to invest in the workforce of the future.  Our Pledge to the American Worker has already secured commitments for 13 million employment and training opportunities for American citizens.  It’s been an incredible success.  We are getting people off of the sidelines and back into the game.  Last month alone, nearly 600,000 Americans entered the labor force.  You read that just the other day.

To unleash small business creation and produce millions of jobs, we passed massive tax cuts and launched a historic regulatory reduction campaign.  We cut more regulations than any President in history, even though they’ve been there for, in many cases, a lot longer than I have.

Thanks to these pro-American trade, tax, and regulatory policies, the economy is booming and wages are rising, and our country is very much respected again.  Last month, the unemployment rate for African Americans hit yet another all-time, historic low.  In the history of our country, it’s the lowest number we’ve ever had.  (Applause.)

And this is very exciting, especially for the folks in the room and those young folks over there that are so great and so smart: African American youth unemployment has reached the lowest rate ever recorded in the history of our country.  (Applause.)

So, in other words, it’s a good time to be looking for a job, right?  You picked the right time.

For the first time ever, most new hires are minorities and predominantly women.  So, that’s a big statement.  Most are minorities and women.

The African American poverty rate also reached a new record low in the history of our country.  The lowest poverty rate.  We are -- (applause) -- that’s something.  I don’t know, when I’m on that debate stage with whoever I’m on, these are pretty good numbers to, you know.  (Laughter.)  Who is going to beat these numbers?  Please tell me.  (Laughter.)

We’re working hard to ensure economic opportunity extends to all Americans, including those who have been released from prison.  With employers and educational centers like HBCUs, we are supporting Second Chance hiring policies so that former inmates get a new shot at life.  (Applause.)  And we’re very proud of this.  I have to say that it’s never been like this before.  There’s never been anything where you get out of prison and they weren’t able to find jobs.  They had that stigma and they weren’t able to find a job.  Nobody would hire them.

And today -- and a lot of it has to do with the fact that the employment numbers are just about record low for country.  And it’s been incredible.  The success has been incredible, and the quality has been incredible.  So many employers are saying, “I wish I knew about this.  I would have started it years ago.”  So it’s been an incredible time.  And there’s never been a time like it, as far as people getting out of prison and getting a real shot at life.  So we’re very proud of that.     

This is just one more way that we live by those two simple and really crucial rules: Buy American and hire American.  (Applause.)   For this reason, we’re also pursuing immigration reforms to protect jobs and wages for American workers, especially those who have been left behind.

We’re fighting to give every parent of every student access to school choice, because no American child deserves to be trapped in a failing school.  (Applause.)

To remedy unfair sentencing laws that disproportionately hurt African Americans, last year I proudly signed groundbreaking criminal justice reform into law, a bipartisan FIRST STEP Act.  So we signed that just recently.  (Applause.) They were never able to get it, and we got it.

We’ve taken historic action to confront the opioid crisis.  And last year, our nation saw the first decline in drug overdose deaths in more than 30 years.

My administration -- that’s a big thing.  It’s such a problem for our country and such a problem for countries all over the world.  It’s a tremendous problem, the drug problem.

My administration has also launched an unprecedented campaign to spur investment and revitalization in our country’s most underserved communities.

Under this vital initiative, America’s governors have designated nearly 9,000 communities as Opportunity Zones.  And that’s where Scott has been so incredible.  About half of all of the HBCUs are located in these Opportunity Zones.

Scott, come up here for a second.  Will you just come up?  This guy is so unbelievable.  (Applause.)  He’s so unbelievable, the job he’s doing.  I only ask, do you sleep?  But they ask me that question too, “Do you sleep?”  He sleeps, I think, maybe less than I do.  Come up, up Scott.  He doesn’t need stairs.  (Applause.)

MR. TURNER:  Well, thank you, Mr. President.  And very briefly, Opportunity Zones -- this initiative called Opportunity Zone is really unprecedented in our nation’s history.  You take private capital and you partner it with public investment to bring about real revitalization and transformation in our communities.

And it’s unique because it’s not just economic development; it’s community development.  See, poverty, it has no favorite.  Poverty is in the black community.  It’s in the white community.  It’s urban.  It’s rural.  It’s tribal.  It’s suburban.

We’ve been to 38 cities in the last 15 weeks, and I’ve seen some of the worst cities in our country, from coast to coast, tip to tip, and even in the Heartland.  And one thing I’ve learned is that poverty does not care…

what you look like.  It doesn’t care where you come from.  But I've had the old saying that I like to teach my son: We fight fire with fire.

The name of this council is the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.  "Revitalize" means to imbue with new life.  It means to reinvigorate, to reenergize.  Revitalization also has no color.  Revitalization has no party, ladies and gentlemen.  Revitalization starts in the heart of every man and every woman.

And our goal here, our mission -- and thank President Trump and his administration for the courage and the vision for this -- our mission is, yes, it's job creation, it's new businesses, it's housing, but it is the eradication of poverty in our nation -- a systemic problem that has crippled this nation for a long time.

And we're here, and we need all of you.  We spoke to the HBCU Conference yesterday.  We need everyone in this room, one, to pray for our leadership, to pray for what we're doing, and number two, see how you can get involved to bring about revitalization where you live.  Doesn’t matter black, white, Democrat, Republican -- it doesn’t matter.  Revitalization starts in the heart.

I'm grateful to steward this council, and I'm going to try to reach as many people as we can.  Because at the end of the day, long after all of us have gone to glory, this has to have a generational impact.  And history will tell the story -- (applause) -- of revitalization.  God bless you.  (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Scott.  Is he great?  He is something.  What a job you're doing, Scott.  Thank you very much.  What a job.

I know that each and every one of you shares the same commitment to improving our communities and building a future of limitless opportunity.

For nearly two centuries, America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities have done exactly that.  You have empowered millions of students to thrive in their careers, start a business, own a home, and raise proud, strong, and loving families.

That is your magnificent legacy, and that is the mission we are determined to help you carry on.  We're right by your side.
So together with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, we will power this nation to new heights.  Heights like nobody would've imagined. 

We will reward hard work and innovation in every field.
We will champion freedom, justice, equality, and opportunity for all.

We will pursue greatness together, as communities, as citizens, and as one United States of America.

Every day of my presidency, we'll strive to give every child, of every background and every race, religion, color, and creed, the best chance to reach that beautiful American Dream.
As we do, I pledge that we will always support the institutions which help make these goals possible: our nation’s wonderful HBCUs.  We will never let you down and we will never stop fighting for you.

     And I just want to thank everybody for being here today.  It's a great honor.  God bless you.  And God bless America.  Thank you very much.  Thank you.  (Applause.) 
 
                            END                 2:57 P.M. EDT
 

Presidential Proclamation on Patriot Day, 2019

Office of the Press Secretary

PATRIOT DAY, 2019

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

 

     On Patriot Day, we solemnly remember the nearly 3,000 people who perished on September 11, 2001.  With gratitude, we honor the brave first responders, resolute members of our military, and ordinary Americans who showed extraordinary courage to save others on that fateful day.  We will always be grateful for the heroic men and women of our Armed Forces who fought in defense of our country in the aftermath of the largest terrorist attack on American soil, and we will never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our liberty and freedom.

     Many Americans vividly recall the precise moment when terrorists killed our fellow Americans at the World Trade Center in New York City; at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia; and on a quiet field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  A beautiful September morning was marred by stark disbelief, agonizing sorrow, and profound suffering.  America's strength, courage, and compassion, however, never wavered.  First responders instantly rushed into harm's way to save their fellow Americans from the wreckage of the attacks, the passengers and crew of United Flight 93 decisively fought back and saved countless lives at the cost of their own, and Americans from across the country provided aid, assistance, and comfort to those in need.  Against the backdrop of cowardly acts of terror, America once again demonstrated to the world the unmatched strength of our resolve and the indomitable power of our character.

     This year, I was proud to sign into law the Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.  This bipartisan legislation, named in honor of New York first responders Officer James Zadroga, Firefighter Ray Pfeifer, and Detective Luis Alvarez, permanently reauthorizes compensation for victims and their families, first responders, and those on the front lines of rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero.  Through this legislation, our Nation is fulfilling our sacred duty to those who risked their lives for their fellow Americans on that infamous September day 18 years ago.

     Our prayers will continue for the survivors who still bear physical and emotional wounds and for the families who lost loved ones.  We also pray for the members of our Armed Forces who risk their lives in service to our country and for the first responders who work tirelessly to ensure the safety of others.  Today, let us remember that our Union -- forged and strengthened through adversity -- will never be broken and that the immeasurable sacrifices of our patriots will never be forgotten.

     By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107–89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day."

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2019, as Patriot Day.  I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.  I invite the Governors of the United States and its Territories and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance.  I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.
 



                              DONALD J. TRUMP


 

PRESS BRIEFING BY SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO AND SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY STEVEN MNUCHIN James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

Office of the Press Secretary

PRESS BRIEFING
BY SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO
AND SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY STEVEN MNUCHIN

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

 
1:30 P.M. EDT

     SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Hello, everybody.  So, Secretary Pompeo and I are here today to talk about the President's new executive order.  And after that, we'd be happy to take a few questions.

     So, today, the President signed a new executive order which underscores his decisive leadership in fighting global terrorism.  This administration has intensified our counterterrorism sanctions effort.  We've designated more than 230 individuals and entities in 2018, the most designation of any year in the last 15 years.

The new executive order, "Modernizing Sanctions to Combat Terrorism," which was signed today, greatly enhances our ability to identify, sanction, and deter perpetrators of terrorism worldwide.

Among other provisions, the EO allows the U.S. government to better target terrorist group leaders; provides new tools to pursue individuals who participate in terrorist training; authorizes secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions that have knowingly conducted or facilitated significant financial transactions with sanctioned persons; and targets those actors for, or on behalf of, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

Utilizing this new executive order, today, Treasury sanctioned over two dozen individuals and entities from 11 terrorist groups.  Specifically, we have leaders, operatives, and financiers from over 11 terror organizations, including Iran's Qods Forces, Hamas, ISIS, al Qaeda, and their affiliates.

The government has taken more action than we ever have before.  The U.S. is -- Treasury is enhancing our efforts to deny terrorists access to the U.S. financial system.  We will continue to make sure that the security of the United States and to protect innocent people from becoming victims of terrorist attacks.

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Thank you, Steven.  Today's executive order marks the most significant update to counterterrorism sanctions authority since September of 2001.  It significantly expands authorities to target terrorists and those who finance their activities.

Specifically, today's action amends Executive Order 13224 by adding clauses that allow the Departments of State and Treasury to first directly target leaders of terrorist groups and their associated entities without having to tie terrorist leaders to specific acts.

Second, it more effectively and efficiently targets individuals and entities who participate in terrorist training, and provides new authorities to impose sanctions on foreign financial institutions that knowingly do business with terrorists.

The Trump administration has already used existing sanctions authorities more aggressively than any administration before us.  And now we're immediately putting these new authorities to good use, as Secretary Mnuchin said.

Today, the Department of State announces the designation of 12 terrorist leaders.  They include: ISIS Wali of Iraq and former amir of improvised explosive devices; four senior members of Hizballah's Jihad Council; and leaders from Hamas, Palestinian-Islamic Jihad, ISIS-Philippines, ISIS-West Africa, and TTP in Pakistan.

     Further, we're announcing the designation of Hurras al-Din, an al Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group in Syria, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Entity.

     As these actions show, today's executive order by President Trump adds further muscle to U.S. counterterrorism efforts.  It will help us to ensure that the deadly attacks of September 11 that occurred 18 years ago this week are never repeated on American soil.  Never.

     At this time, Secretary Mnuchin and I are happy to take a couple of questions on this topic.

     Yes, sir.

     Q    Did John Bolton fire -- get fired, or did he quit?  And did he leave the White House because he disagreed with you in particular over talks with the Taliban?

     SECRETARY POMPEO:  So, last night, the President asked for Ambassador Bolton's resignation.  As I understand it, it was received this morning.

     Q    Was it because of this disagreement?

     Q    Secretary Pompeo, about Syria --

     SECRETARY POMPEO:  Go ahead.  Yes, ma'am.  In the back.

     Q    Go ahead.

     Q    Was it because of this disagreement?

     SECRETARY POMPEO:  I'll leave it to the President to talk about the reasons he made the decision.

     But I would say this: The President is entitled to the staff that he wants at any moment.  This is a staff person who works directly for the President of the United States, and he should have people that he trusts and values and whose efforts and judgments benefit him in delivering American foreign policy.  That's what, as Cabinet members, Secretary Mnuchin and I try and do each and every day.  And when the President makes a decision like this, he's well within his rights to do so.

     Q    Secretary Pompeo, can you describe your working relationship with John Bolton as it was today?

     SECRETARY POMPEO:  Sure.

     Q    And also, does his departure make it easier for you to do your job and for the administration to accomplish the President's foreign policy agenda?

     SECRETARY POMPEO:  Look, I don’t talk about the inner workings of how this all goes.  We all give our candid opinions.  There were many times Ambassador Bolton and I disagreed; that's to be sure.  But that's true for lots of people with whom I interact.

My mission is always to make sure, as I run the Department of State, is to deliver America's diplomacy and to work with a team -- whether it's at Treasury or the President's staff -- to make sure we get good outcomes.

     I know everyone has talked about this for an awfully long time.  There were definitely places that Ambassador Bolton and I had different views about how we should proceed.

     Q    With John Bolton out of the picture, is it now possible to see some less hawkish Iran policy?  And does this open the path for the President to meet with Rouhani?

     SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  I would say Secretary Pompeo and myself and the President are completely aligned on our maximum pressure campaign.  I think you know we've done more sanctions on Iran than anybody.  And it's absolutely working.

     Now, the President has made clear he is happy to take a meeting with no preconditions, but we are maintaining the maximum pressure campaign.

     Yeah, go ahead.  Go ahead.

     Q    So, Secretary Pompeo, for clarity on this, can you foresee a meeting between President Trump and the Iranian leader later this month surrounding the United Nations?

     SECRETARY POMPEO:  Sure.

     Q    Would the President support that, and do you support that actively?

     SECRETARY POMPEO:  The President has made very clear he is prepared to meet with no preconditions.

     Q    Just to follow up quickly on the original guidance for this briefing: Bolton was on the guidance to be here, so were you two blindsided by what occurred today, that he's no longer with the administration?  Was it news to you today?  Because last night you were told he would be here today.

     SECRETARY POMPEO:  Yeah.  I'm never surprised.
(Laughter.)

     Q    Well, let me ask it this way --

     SECRETARY POMPEO:  And I don’t mean that on just this issue.  And I think Secretary Mnuchin would say the same thing.  We work very closely with the President of the United States.  I think we have a pretty good understanding of how he's thinking about things -- I think you'd agree, Steven -- at nearly all times.

And so, you know, our mission says not to talk about these inner workings and the palace intrigue that I know you are so curious about --

     Q    Well, I'm just curious --

     SECRETARY POMPEO:  -- but rather to talk about the things that matter to American foreign policy.

     SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  I would just add that people who knew should know, and don’t get into, you know, the administrative things if a notice went out.  Because yesterday, the three of us were (inaudible).

     Q    Secretary Pompeo, thank you very much.  I appreciate it.

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Yes, ma'am.

Q    Secretary Pompeo, a question about Syria.  We reported on Syria and the refugee camps last night.  Our David Muir was there.  And he talked about how these refugee camps -- ISIS fighters are blending in.  There's children dancing around the ISIS flag.  Are you concerned about these refugee camps becoming a breeding ground -- a training ground for terrorists, for ISIS fighters?

SECRETARY POMPEO:  So there's a long history of just exactly what you're describing: camps in Iraq, camps other places where prisoners were detained and extremist elements breeding in those places.

But we've been working diligently on this.  We have conducted enormous operations against ISIS, even after the fall of the caliphate, as recently as the last handful of days.  We are very focused on this.

The success that we had moving down the Euphrates River Valley that our Department of Defense led with the SDF forces was truly remarkable.  We will not take our eye off the ball, ensuring that whether it's ISIS or other radical Islamic extremist groups continue to be under pressure from the United States of America.  And that was -- just to close it up, and that would include in these camps that you're referring to.

Yes, go ahead.

Q    The White House says that National Security Advisor Bolton's foreign policy was not aligned with the President's philosophy.  How was it out of alignment?

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Well, I'll leave that to the White House to talk about.  Other than to say, I think President Trump -- I watched his campaign.  I've now worked with him first as CIA Director and now as Secretary of State.  Someone asked, "Would the policy be different absent any individual being here?"

These have been the President's policies.  We give him our best wisdom.  We share with him our understanding.  When I was intelligence director, we did our best to make sure that he had the facts and data available so he could make good decisions.  But I don’t think any leader around the world should make any assumption that because some one of us departs, that President Trump's foreign policy will change in a material way.

SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  The one thing I would just say to follow up, because the President has been very clear on this: The President's view of the Iraq War and Ambassador Bolton's was very different.  And the President has made that clear.

Yeah.  Go ahead.

Q    Mr. Secretary --

SECRETARY POMPEO:  Sure.  Way in the back.  Yes, ma'am.

Q    On Venezuela.  Thank you so much, Mr. Secretary.

Q    Are you no longer planning to impose tariffs on Mexico if they don’t continue with the immigration plan?

SECRETARY POMPEO:  So we're looking forward to our meeting with Foreign Minister Ebrard here in just a little bit.  We're going to talk about the progress that's been made, which has been substantial and real and material, and has made America more secure.

But at the same time, we know there is still work to do and we're going to talk about how best we can jointly deliver that.  We are deeply appreciative of what the President of Mexico and the Foreign Minister have done to increase the capacity to deter migration into the United States.  And you can see the numbers have improved substantially.  But we also know, A, it needs to be sustained, and, B, we've still got real work to do.

Go ahead, Steven.

SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Yeah.  You, yes.

Q    Can I?

SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Yes.

Q    On Venezuela, we know that Ambassador Bolton was trying to keep up the pressure in Venezuela (inaudible).  And we know that Ambassador Bolton and President Trump disagreed on many things regarding to Venezuela.  What can we expect now with the departure of Ambassador Bolton?

SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  I think you know that the Treasury Department and the State Department have been incredibly active on sanctions.  Everything we do in is consultation with the State Department.  Again, we have a massive sanctions program that's working.

But I would just add, we are concerned about the people there and what's going on, the humanitarian crisis.  And I know the Secretary has worked with their neighbors extensively.

Go ahead.

Q    Is this national security team a mess?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Absolutely not.  That’s the most ridiculous question I've ever heard of.  So --

Q    Well, you've had three national security advisors in three years.  Three national security advisors in three years.

     SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Let me just say, the national security team, which is what you asked, consists of the National Security Advisor, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, myself, the Chief of Staff, and many others.  So --

     Q    Can you disagree with the President without the risk of being fired?

     Q    What is the way forward in Afghanistan now with (inaudible)?

     SECRETARY POMPEO:  I’m sorry.  I’m sorry.  We’ll take one more.  Yes ma’am.  In the red.

     Q    Thank you, sir.

     SECRETARY POMPEO:  Yes.

     Q    There were reports this week that the CIA had to pull a top Russian asset out because of concerns that his identity could be exposed.  Under which administration was this source burned?.  And is there currently an investigation into how his identity got leaked to the media?

     SECRETARY POMPEO:  Yeah, I’ve seen that reporting.  The reporting is materially inaccurate.  And you should know, as the former CIA Director, I don’t talk about things like this very often.  It is only the occasions when there is something that I think puts people at risk, or the reporting is so egregious as to create enormous risk to the United States of America that I even comment in the way that I just did.

And I won’t say anything more about it.  I know the CIA put out a statement.  Suffice to say that the reporting there is factually wrong.

     SECRETARY MNUCHIN:  Thank you, everybody. 

                             END                1:43 P.M. EDT


 

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP IS DELIVERING ON HIS PROMISE TO EMPOWER AND LIFT UP OUR NATION’S FORGOTTEN COMMUNITIES

Office of the Press Secretary

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP IS DELIVERING ON HIS PROMISE TO EMPOWER AND LIFT UP OUR NATION’S FORGOTTEN COMMUNITIES
 

“We’re lifting up forgotten communities, creating exciting new opportunities, and helping every American find their path to the American Dream” – President Donald J. Trump 

 

PRIORITIZING EDUCATION: President Donald J. Trump has made supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) a priority of his Administration. 

  • Barely a month after taking office, President Trump signed an Executive Order to move the Federal HBCU initiative back to the White House – making sure it is a key priority.
  • President Trump directed agencies across his Administration to develop plans to enhance their support for HBCUs.
  • President Trump has signed legislation increasing Federal funding for HBCUs.
  • The President signed legislation that added more than $100 million for scholarships, research, and centers of excellence at HBCU land grant institutions.
  • The Administration relaunched the HBCU Capital Finance Board to make millions of dollars available to support HBCUs’ long-term growth and improvement.
    • The Administration has announced that any restrictions on those funds going to institutions with a religious mission is unconstitutional.
  • The Administration is rethinking college by reducing regulatory burdens, promoting innovation, strengthening accountability, and respecting the unique mission of each school.
LIFTING UP COMMUNITIES: President Trump is ensuring that no citizen is forgotten and no community is ignored. 
  • President Trump’s America First agenda is spurring investment and revitalization in our country’s most underserved communities.
  • President Trump signed legislation creating Opportunity Zones, a game-changing vehicle to spur new capital investment in America’s economically distressed communities.
    • Nearly 9,000 communities in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and 5 Territories have been designated as Opportunity Zones.
    • Opportunity Zones are projected to attract $100 billion in private investments to the American communities that need these investments most.
  • President Trump created a White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council to help ensure we are lifting up these communities.
    • Since its creation, the Council has taken action to deliver additional Federal support to Opportunity Zones.
  • Median income for African-American-headed households rose by 2.6 percent between 2017 and 2018.
  • The poverty rates for African Americans and Hispanic Americans each reached new series lows in 2018.
  • Nearly 2.5 million have been lifted out of poverty in the first two years of the Administration.
INVESTING IN OUR WORKFORCE: President Trump is promoting workforce development to ensure all Americans share in our historic economic revival.
  • President Trump is supporting American workers to ensure all Americans can benefit from today’s thriving economy.
  • More than 350 companies have signed President Trump’s “Pledge to America’s Workers,” offering more than 13 million employment, education, and training opportunities.
  • President Trump’s National Council for the American Worker is developing strategies for training and retraining workers for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
  • Last year, the President signed legislation reauthorizing nearly $1.3 billion in funding for career and technical education, benefitting millions of Americans.
  • The President’s pro-growth policies are generating millions of new jobs – creating more and more opportunities for American workers.
    • More than 6.3 million new jobs have been created since President Trump’s election and job openings continue to far exceed the number of job seekers.
CREATING A FAIRER JUSTICE SYSTEM: President Trump’s criminal justice reforms are keeping our communities safe and giving Americans a second chance to succeed. 
  • President Trump is ensuring that former prisoners have the opportunity to find jobs and build meaningful lives after rejoining their communities.
  • The President signed the groundbreaking First Step Act, enacting historic reforms to make our criminal justice system fairer for all and to help prepare prisoners to successfully rejoin society.
    • These reforms helped to remedy unfair sentencing provisions that disproportionately hurt African Americans.   
    • This historic legislation promotes prisoner participation in vocational training, educational coursework, or faith-based programs.
    • These reforms help keep all Americans safe by giving former prisoners the chance to find purpose and contribute to our economy, rather than returning to crime.
  • President Trump is promoting second chance hiring to offer prisoners an opportunity to achieve the American dream.  
    • Departments and agencies across the Government are enacting initiatives to promote second chance hiring opportunities.
###