(5) OPM will create and lead a task force comprised of representatives from key Federal Departments and Agencies that have developed and implemented model practices for recruiting, retaining and advancing employees with disabilities. The task force will report on the innovative practices agencies use to encourage the employment of individuals with disabilities. The report will identify and promote successful practices for conducting outreach, recruiting, hiring qualified candidates, successful accommodations, and providing opportunities for career advancement at all levels. Source
The Obama Administration announced that, as of this day, the National Archives and Records Administration and the U.S. Government Printing Office will publish the Federal Register in "XML." With an XML edition, independent organizations can reorganize the Register's contents in ways that are more meaningful and address individual interests; track issues that are likely to affect a community or a profession; and even engage in real-time public discussions about its contents with others across the country and around the world. XML is a simple and flexible, machine-readable form of text that is easy to manipulate with software. By putting the Federal Register in XML, the federal government is, for the first time, allowing individuals to take control over how they want to read the Federal Register. Source
The White House launched a new webpage that allows local school groups to apply for tours of the South Lawn's vegetable garden. The White House chefs will lead the new tours. The guided tour will include a walk through the South Lawn, an explanation of the Kitchen Garden, a peek at the beehive and a few tips on easy, fun ways to eat healthy. For now, tours are limited to local area schools. Requests can be submitted up to three months in advance and no less than 30 days in advance. All White House tours are free of charge. For the most current tour information, please call the 24-hour line at 202-456-7041. Applications can be found and filled out here.
Day257/Oct6th/Tuesday: the President traveled to the National Counterterrorism Center in Washington, DC., where he met with NCTC leadership and deliver remarks to staff members. Among the President's remarks, he told NCTC employees, "And the record of your service is written in the attacks that never occur, because you thwarted them; and in the countless Americans who are alive today, because you saved them. For that, America is in your debt." Transcript Video
The President and Vice President Joe Biden met in the State Dining Room of the White House with United States Congressional leadership and the chairs and ranking members of the relevant Congressional committees to discuss Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The President dropped by the meeting between Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and White House National Security Advisor General James L. Jones at the White House. The two presidents expressed support for further economic cooperation, and highlighted the upcoming October 20-21 U.S.-Iraq Business and Investment Conference in Washington. Source
The President nominated:
Judge Denny Chin for a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Judge Ojetta Rogeriee Thompson for a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Source&Bios
The President sent these nominations to the United States Senate:
Mary John Miller, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
Michael F. Mundaca, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Source
The United States Senate voted 72-22 to confirm Thomas E. Perez as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the United States Department of Justice. Perez's confirmation marks the first time the Senate has approved a senior position in the Justice Department since April, and leaves four other nominations pending on the Senate calendar. Source
Day258/Oct7th/Wednesday: The President met with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in the Oval Office.
The President awarded the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to the 2008 recipients in the East Room of the White House. Among the President's remarks, he announced, "That's why my administration has set this goal: by investing in education, funding basic and applied research, and spurring private innovation, we will devote 3 percent of our gross domestic product to research and development. That's more than at any point in recent history."
The 2008 MEDAL OF SCIENCE AND MEDAL OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION RECIPIENTS are:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15
