Statements and Releases

President Biden spoke today with President Abdel-Fattah El Sisi of Egypt. They discussed the urgency of bringing the ceasefire and hostage release deal to closure under the comprehensive bridging proposal that is now in the table, which would free the hostages, bring life-saving relief to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and de-escalate regional tensions. They discussed upcoming talks in Cairo and efforts to remove any remaining obstacles to the deal. The President thanked President El Sisi for his leadership. Both leaders agreed to remain in close coordination directly and through their teams over the coming days.

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Last week President Biden signed a proclamation establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Springfield, Illinois. The new national monument will tell the story of a horrific attack by a white mob on a Black community, its significance within the Civil Rights Movement, and the broader history of Black community resilience in the face of violent oppression. At a time when some are working to rewrite history and erase painful moments in our past, President Biden and Vice President Harris are committed to protecting places that help tell a more complete story of our nation’s history, including by recognizing difficult moments that have been ignored or obscured for far too long.

Leaders from across the country praised the announcement. Here’s what they’re saying:

Elected Officials

Senator Tammy Duckworth (Illinois): “The 1908 Springfield Race Riot site is of extraordinary cultural and historical importance to our state and to this country—a searing, horrific incident that galvanized the creation of the NAACP. I’ve been working for years to designate this site as a national monument to help ensure the painful lessons learned here will not be lost for the generations of Americans to come. I’m proud that President Biden is taking action to help ensure this history is properly honored and making our national parks better reflect our nation’s people and stories.” [Statement, 8/14/24]

Senator Dick Durbin (Illinois): “The 1908 Springfield Race Riot was a violent and hateful tragedy, but it’s a part of Illinois’ and our nation’s history that we cannot turn a blind eye to. The story, which led to the creation of the NAACP, must be told. I have worked with Senator Duckworth and Rep. Budzinski to push for this historical site to be recognized as a national monument, and I’m grateful that President Biden understands the gravity of designating this site in Springfield. Together, we can honor the lives lost during the deadly riots and reaffirm our commitment to fighting prejudice in Illinois and across the country.” [Statement, 8/14/24]

Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13): “More than a century ago, Springfield’s Black community was attacked in an act of hateful and senseless violence. While the 1908 Springfield Race Riot demonstrates our nation’s deep history of racial violence, it also sparked the creation of the NAACP – reflecting the strength and resilience of Black Americans in tireless fight for civil rights. Since coming to Congress I’ve been pushing for the Race Riot site to be designated as a national monument and I’m so excited to see it finally receive this long overdue recognition. Today’s announcement is a critical step forward to honor those who were killed in the 1908 attack and acknowledge the impact this tragedy had on the Springfield community and our nation as a whole. I couldn’t be more grateful to our local leaders and community members for their partnership in advocacy and I look forward to seeing this history preserved for generations to come.” [X Post, 8/14/24]

Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04): “The Congressional Black Caucus applauds President Biden’s proclamation establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Springfield, Illinois. The Springfield Race Riot was a horrific moment in our nation’s history – one that today reminds us of the strength and resilience of our communities that have historically been subjected to racism, intimidation, and violence. At a time when anti-education laws, book bans, and censorship of Black history in schools are rampant, this designation reflects President Biden and Vice President Harris’ commitment to honoring and protecting Black history and ensuring that our stories are not lost or obfuscated over time.” [Statement, 8/16/24]

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton: “President Biden’s designation of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument is an act of protection for a significant chapter of Black history in Illinois and America. The monument is a poignant reminder of the devastation Springfield and the nation faced during a time of racial violence. We honor the memories of the lives that were tragically cut short, the families irrevocably shattered, and the businesses destroyed. We pay tribute to the survivors and advocates whose resilience and determination reverberated through time, leading to vital reforms like the establishment of the NAACP. Their legacy serves as a powerful reminder of our ongoing duty to confront injustice and strive for a more equitable society. This designation underscores Illinois’ commitment to preserving and learning from our complex history.” [Statement, 8/14/24

Civil Rights and Community Leaders

Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP: “As we convene to remember the tragic Springfield Race Riot of 1908, our community continues to endure unjust violence. 116 years ago, it was William K. Donnegan. Last month, it was his descendant, Sonya Massey. Sonya’s death at the hands of law enforcement is a stark reminder that we have a long way to go in the fight to protect, and honor Black life. While the Springfield Race riot reflects a dark chapter in our history, it details the truths of our lived experiences as Black Americans. At a time when Black history is under attack, the NAACP welcomes the Biden-Harris administration’s decision to recognize the horrors of the past as we work to create a brighter tomorrow – this is just the beginning.” [Statement, 8/16/24]

Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense Fund: “Today, President Biden affirmed the critical importance of telling the full truth of our nation’s history, including some of its most heinous chapters. A national monument at the site of the Springfield Race Riot will allow people across the country, and indeed across the globe, to not only deepen their understanding of the brutality Black people have faced in the United States, but to also recognize their resilience in the face of horror and tragedy. This recognition is especially powerful at a time when there is a war on truth and ongoing attempts to suppress the voices, history, and political participation of Black Americans.” [Statement, 8/16/24]

Austin Randolph, Jr., NAACP Springfield Chapter President: “We must remember, resolve and restore. The 1908 Springfield Race Riot should live in our hearts and minds forever as a constant reminder of man’s capacity for cruelty. Within this struggle lies the desire for equity, peace, and healing. This national monument will forever stand for freedom and justice. It will be our solemn reminder of where we came from as it propels us towards where we are destined to be: equal.” [Statement, 8/16/24]

Ken Page, President, ACLU of Illinois, Springfield Chapter: “It was a journey of 116 years to get to this day. We thank you Mr. President for acknowledging the importance of telling all of America’s History. The 1908 Springfield Race Riot was tragic. And out of this tragedy was the birth of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. As we continue this journey, America can continue to live out her creed of Liberty, Equality, Justice and Humanity.” [Statement, 8/16/24] 

Pastor T. Ray “Mac” McJunkins, Lead Pastor, Union Baptist Church of Springfield: “Thank you to the men and women, who have certainly been champions for the citizens of Illinois. Lawmakers led by Senators Dick Durbin, Tammy Duckworth, and Representatives Nikki Budzinski and Darin LaHood. I personally appreciate your tireless efforts with the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument Act. This has been a long time coming, though it was hindered on Capitol Hill it still prevailed. After several conversations, meetings and visits to Washington DC, here we are a leap forward. Today, on the 116th anniversary of the 1908 Race Riot, President Biden, I applaud you for using the Antiquities Act to designate the Race Riot a National Monument. This is another step to honor those who died during the riot as well as those St. John’s Hospital sisters who assisted the wounded. This is a continued opportunity to raise awareness and educate present and future generations on race relations while we commit to making this a better nation than it was and even better than what it is.” [Statement, 8/16/24]

Erin Carlson Mast, President and CEO, Lincoln Presidential Foundation: “As a proud partner of the National Park Service at Lincoln Home National Historic Site, we recognize the connections between these sites and stories. The establishment of the NAACP on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday in 1909 underscored the enduring link between Lincoln’s legacy and the struggle for freedom and equality. The mob violence was local, but the impact has been national. We look forward to working together to ensure the preservation, interpretation, and commemoration of this important place in American history for generations to come.” [Statement, 8/16/24]

Dr. Samuel C. Tolbert Jr., President, National Baptist Convention of America: “President Biden, your leadership in making this site a national monument reflects a deep commitment to preserving the history of racial violence in America and ensuring that these stories are told with the dignity and respect they deserve. This act not only brings national attention to the atrocities of 1908 but also serves as a powerful symbol of our collective responsibility to address the legacy of racism in this country. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to justice, equity, and the truth. Your decision to honor the victims and survivors of the Springfield Race Riot by making this site a national monument is a profound step toward healing and reconciliation.” [Statement, 8/16/24]

Reverend David Peoples, President, Progressive National Baptist Convention: “The story of Springfield is painful. Black businesses were destroyed, neighborhoods were burnt to the ground, and lives were lost in an attempt to terrorize, intimidate, and dehumanize. Establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument is a welcome step toward healing and justice as we amplify this story and help ensure that these events are never repeated.” [X Post, 8/16/24]

Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Church of God in Christ: “On behalf of the Church of God in Christ, with over 5 million congregants, I celebrate with my brothers and sisters in Christ the recent designation of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. The Springfield race riot is a story of evil racism, hatred, and violence – but it is also a story of hope, marked by the resilience of the Black community and the formation of the NAACP. It is important that our national lands reflect the full truth of our country’s history; this is an important step towards justice and healing.” [X Post, 8/16/24]

Imam Dr. Talib M. Shareef, President, Masjid Muhammad: “Masjid Muhammad, known as the Nation’s Mosque, commends the Biden-Harris Administration in its official designation of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, which tells the honest story of the Springfield race riots. Our Mosque was the first built from the ground in America by descendants of enslaved African Americans and African Muslims – we are particularly interested in having the full story of African American experiences, including tragedies, told and preserved. The Springfield Monument uplifts an integral part of our American history and is an essential addition to the National Park System.” [X Post, 8/16/24]

Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church: “As Bishops of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, we celebrate the National Park Service and the Biden Administration’s work to officially establish the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, ensuring that this part of Black history is not erased and utilizing public lands and a way to proclaim the truth. The CME church, with more than 1.2 million members across the United States, came into being in the tumultuous aftermath of the Civil War – our vision was then, and remains today, to be transformational in a changing world. The changing world, wrought with strife and division, demands the presence of truth and begs for reconciliation and healing. Efforts like this recent designation are small but tangible and significant steps towards this reconciliation, healing, and ultimately transformation that our nation so greatly needs.” [X Post, 8/16/24]

Pastor Scott Onqué, Policy Director, Faith in Place: “We thank President Biden for designating the 1908 Springfield Race Riot site as a national monument–which serves as a crucial acknowledgment of a painful history and a call to continue the fight for racial justice. This designation is particularly meaningful for faith communities, especially within the Black community, where houses of worship have been and continue to be vital centers for advocacy. It honors the resilience of those who fought for justice and encourages us to keep working toward a more just and equitable future.” [Statement, 8/16/24] 

Conservation and Historic Preservation Leaders

Ben Jealous, Executive Director, Sierra Club: “Our public lands tell a story, and this newest national monument finally adds this long-overlooked chapter. For more than a century, we ignored the memory of one of the worst episodes of racial violence in our country’s history, just steps from the home of Abraham Lincoln, but the Springfield community never forgot. Today, their resilience is not just recognized, but honored. Designating the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot as a national monument helps ensure that national monuments protect not just the most precious lands and waters of the United States, but the sites and legacies that make this country what it is.” [Statement, 8/16/24]

Jamie Williams, President, The Wilderness Society: “National monuments help tell and preserve stories that represent the full history of our country, and we commend the Biden-Harris administration for commemorating the Springfield 1908 Race Riot as such. It’s important that the administration heeded the call from community members and elected leaders about their vision to federally recognize this painful and tragic event that eventually was one of the catalysts to the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). This watershed moment led to a movement that ensured that equality and justice were the values that prevailed from this sad chapter in our nation’s history. This story and people who inspired the movement should be honored and protected for future generations.” [Statement, 8/16/24]

Jocelyn Torres, Chief Conservation Officer for Conservation Lands Foundation: “Commemorating the country’s varied histories through national monument designations is an important responsibility of the president. The Springfield Race Riot of 1908 is the first national monument to recognize our nation’s long history of race riots and thousands of lynchings, and showcase the birth of the NAACP and the courage and leadership of Ida B. Wells-Barnett and other Black leaders who fought to stop racial violence. It holds a solemn place in our collective understanding and is deserving of this designation. We applaud President Biden for using the Antiquities Act to commemorate the Springfield 1908 Race Riot, ensuring that the public never forgets the tragedies and triumphs of the Black experience in American history.” [Statement, 8/16/24]

Brent Leggs, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, National Trust for Historic Preservation: “116 years ago, Black residents of Springfield, Illinois experienced the unimaginable – a race riot that destroyed families, businesses and hope for change. Using his authority under the Antiquities Act, President Biden has ensured the permanent preservation and protection of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot site, filling a critical gap in our National Park System and the nation’s understanding of civil rights. This designation allows preservation to be a tool for public education during a time it’s needed most. Sadly, many of the once lived community members in Springfield have passed – without receiving justice – as a result of hate and systemic racism. Thankfully, a diverse coalition of civil rights leaders, conservationists, and law makers organized together, advocating for recognition and memorialization in their memory. Their bold steps make room for the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument to be a resource for learning, healing, and honoring race riot victims, their descendants, and the larger Springfield community.” [Statement, 8/16/24] 

Phil Francis, Chair of the Executive Council of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks: “We thank President Biden for designating the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. This monument will help to fill a critical gap in the National Park System, which currently does not have parks that tell the story of race riots, the founding of the NAACP, or the story of Ida B. Wells-Barnett. It is important that our public lands tell the full American story. This designation will help to ensure that the story of one of the worst examples of mass racial violence in our country’s history, and the courage of Black leaders who founded the NAACP in response, will be protected for future generations.” [Statement, 8/16/24] 

Cassandra Carmichael, Executive Director, National Religious Partnership for the Environment: “I celebrate the designation of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. Our public lands play a significant role in telling the story of our nation and for far too long, that story has been incomplete. In naming this newest national monument, the Biden-Harris Administration is answering the call from communities and leaders across the country to preserve and lift up this important story in Black history. This national monument helps tell the full story of American history and is a step towards reconciliation, healing, and transformation.” [X Post, 8/16/24]

Dr. Jocelyn Imani, Senior Director, Trust for Public Land for Black History and Culture: “Trust for Public Land commends President Biden for designating the Springfield 1908 Race Riot as a National Monument. The story of the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois – one of the worst incidences of mass racial violence in the United States – has until recently been buried but never forgotten. Led by a mob of 5,000 white Springfield residents, the riot resulted in the lynching of two Black residents and the deaths of at least seven others, as well as the destruction of dozens of Black-owned homes and businesses. The riot is also credited as catalyzing the establishment of the NAACP the following year of 1909.” [Statement, 8/16/24]

Mark Magaña, Founding President and CEO, Green Latinos: “We thank the Biden-Harris Administration for listening to leaders in Springfield, Illinois and the wide base of support throughout the nation for designating the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. The America The Beautiful For All Coalition firmly believes that our path to 30% conserved lands and waters must be defined by the places that tell the full American story. This national monument is the first to ensure that all Americans remember how mass racial violence took the homes, businesses, and lives of Black Americans. This monument will help to make us more aware of the lasting impact these historical events had on Black economic mobility, safety and belonging in our country. It is also critical that this monument uncovers stories about the impact of the 1908 riots on immigrant and multicultural residents in order to reflect the full American story at this new national monument.”  [Statement, 8/16/24] 

Gene Karpinski, President, League of Conservation Voters: “Thanks to the tireless advocacy of the Springfield branch of the NAACP and local advocates and activists, the Biden-Harris administration has established a national monument to acknowledge the tragic Springfield massacre and other forms of racial violence against Black people in our nation’s history. The 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument confronts one of the country’s most brutal instances of mass anti-Black violence and serves as a testament to the courage of Black leaders, including Ida B. Wells-Barnett, who fought to end racial violence. LCV commends the Biden-Harris administration for further cementing its legacy of honoring and protecting our nation’s cultural heritage, public lands and historical sites, and encourages the Biden-Harris administration to build on this legacy by continuing to champion the protection of our nation’s public lands and cultural sites.” [Statement, 8/16/24] 

Ariel Hampton, State Government Affairs Director, Illinois Environmental Council: “We applaud the Biden-Harris administration for designating the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot as a National Monument, and commend our partners at the Springfield branch of the NAACP, Sierra Club Illinois, Faith Coalition for the Common Good, and countless local activists for their work to advocate for this designation. The mass racial violence in Springfield in 1908 has reverberated across the past century, and the impacts continue to be felt in Springfield and across Illinois. Today, Black residents in Springfield are more likely to experience environmental injustices like air pollution from the Dallman coal plant and water contamination from lead pipes. As we work to mitigate these injustices, this National Monument will serve as a reminder to learn from our history so as not to repeat it.” [Statement, 8/16/24]

Lauren Bogard, Director of Campaigns and Special Projects, Center for Western Priorities: “We praise President Biden for acknowledging a terrible event in American history through the preservation of artifacts and accounts that tell the shameful story of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot. Black history is American history, and it is fundamental to understanding the ongoing fight for civil rights and racial equality, a struggle that continues to be advanced by the leadership and advocacy of the NAACP. The establishment of this monument is a reminder that there is more work to be done in pursuit of national healing and reconciliation, and that the creation of new national monuments can play a pivotal role in this necessary endeavor through acknowledging how the events in our history continue to shape our country.” [Statement, 8/16/24]

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Tomorrow—as the people of Ukraine mark their Independence Day—let it be clear: When Russia’s senseless war began, Ukraine was a free country. Today, it is still a free country. And the war will end with Ukraine remaining a free, sovereign, and independent country.

I spoke with President Zelenskyy today to reaffirm this message, and to express America’s unwavering support for the people of Ukraine. For two and a half years, they have repelled Russia’s vicious onslaught, including retaking more than half of the territory Russian forces seized in the initial days of the war. They have remained unbowed in the face of Russia’s heinous war crimes and atrocities. And day after day, they have defended the values that unite people across both of our nations and around the world—including independence.

That is why I am proud we will announce a new package of military aid for Ukraine today. The package includes air defense missiles to protect Ukraine’s critical infrastructure; counter-drone equipment and anti-armor missiles to defend against Russia’s evolving tactics on the battlefield; and ammunition for frontline soldiers and the mobile rocket systems that protect them. We are also imposing new sanctions today on nearly 400 entities and individuals who are enabling Russia’s illegal war as part of our enduring commitment to hold Russia accountable for its aggression.

These actions build on a series of historic steps we have taken with our Allies and partners over the last few months to support Ukraine—from transferring F-16 fighter jets, to committing to deliver hundreds of air defense interceptors over the next year, to quickly surging security assistance to the frontlines following the passing of our National Security Bill. Last month, I also brought together 20 nations who have signed Bilateral Security Agreements with Ukraine to form the Ukraine Compact, which will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend itself now and in the future. And, together with the G7, we are taking unprecedented action to make Russia pay for damage it’s caused by issuing $50 billion in loans backed by the profits of frozen Russian sovereign assets. 

Make no mistake: Russia will not prevail in this conflict. The independent people of Ukraine will prevail—and the United States, our Allies, and our partners, will continue to stand with them every step of the way. 

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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will travel to the People’s Republic of China from August 27 through August 29, for meetings with senior PRC officials to discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues.  These meetings are consistent with efforts to maintain this strategic channel of communication to responsibly manage the relationship and are a product of the November 2023 Woodside Summit between President Biden and President Xi.   This trip follows high-level diplomatic meetings between National Security Advisor Sullivan and Director Wang Yi in Vienna in May 2023, Malta in September 2023, Washington in October 2023, and Bangkok in January 2024.

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Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. was a dedicated public servant and an unwavering force for good who knew that government is at its best when it is delivering for the people. From his time in City Hall and the State House to his nearly three decades of service in the House of Representatives, Congressman Pascrell fought to improve the lives of his constituents, his fellow New Jerseyans, and our fellow Americans.

While in Congress, Representative Pascrell was focused on issues that have a direct impact on the health, wellbeing, and safety of families. He was a fierce advocate for health care, to the benefit of millions of Americans who are now able to see a doctor, afford their prescriptions, and get the care they need and deserve. He was a champion for the environment – fighting for clean air, safe drinking water, and our public lands. As a veteran, he founded the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force to raise awareness of the dangers of traumatic brain injuries. And as chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, he protected those who protect all of us by spearheading legislation to meet the needs of first responders.

Congressman Pascrell should also be applauded for his leadership on the House Ways and Means Committee where he fought for middle-class families. He worked tirelessly to increase the minimum wage, invest in our small businesses, and protect American workers. His initiatives advanced economic opportunity and made our tax system more fair.

This belief in using public service to improve lives was nothing new for Congressman Pascrell. He proudly served our nation in the United States Army and Army reserves. He spent more than a decade teaching our children in the classroom. He served his neighbors as Mayor of Paterson. And he delivered transformative investments while working across the aisle in the State Assembly and as Minority Leader. 

For the Congressman, there was no project too small or idea too big. Those who knew Representative Pascrell well knew that he was perhaps most proud of the fact that he lived his entire life in his beloved Paterson, NJ. During his lifetime of service to this community, he successfully fought to recognize his childhood park and the crown jewel of Paterson as the Great Falls National Historical Park. He also helped restore one of the only remaining Negro League stadiums left in America.

Doug and I send our prayers to his wife, Elsie, their three children, and their six grandchildren. We will be thinking of the Congressman’s friends, constituents, and all those who knew him in the days and weeks ahead. His legacy will live on for generations.

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Jill and I and the entire Biden family are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bill Pascrell, Jr., a 27-year Congressman for New Jersey at the U.S. House of Representatives.

Bill was a colleague and dear friend. I had the privilege of working with him for decades on issues ranging from the Fire Grants and Safety Act for the wellbeing of first responders and their families, to veterans’ medical care, international trade, tax fairness, labor unions, and so much more.

Over the course of our 30-year friendship, Bill defined himself as a devoted patriot, a gentleman, and an exemplary leader. A beloved bridge-builder and champion for working-class people, Bill fought relentlessly to ensure their voices and needs were at the center of policymaking. I always knew Bill’s positions were guided by his deep conscience and convictions.

Throughout his career, Bill carried with him the memory of his humble beginnings. A grandson of Italian immigrants, Bill was raised in Paterson, New Jersey to a loving mother and devoted father who worked on the railroad. He went on to serve in the Army and the Reserves, then as a public high school teacher, a state legislator, a mayor, and a Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly three decades. He lived an extraordinary life of accomplishment and service.

Along with his remarkable contributions, Bill will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered for his fighting spirit, his kindness, and his warmth.

On behalf of a grateful nation, we send our love to Bill’s beloved wife, Elsie Marie, as well as his sisters, sons, and grandchildren.

May God bless our dear friend.

May God bless a great American.

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President Biden spoke today with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel. The President and the Prime Minister discussed active and ongoing U.S. efforts to support Israel’s defense against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, to include ongoing defensive U.S. military deployments. The President stressed the urgency of bringing the ceasefire and hostage release deal to closure and discussed upcoming talks in Cairo to remove any remaining obstacles.

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In Phil Donahue, our nation has lost a trailblazing television icon who held up a mirror to America and united us around the toughest issues of our time.

A son of a working-class, Irish-Catholic family from Cleveland, Phil first honed his craft as a radio station assistant in university, before rising to transform television and reshape the national conversation.

Over close to 30 years, nearly 7,000 episodes, and 20 Emmys, he pioneered the live daytime talk show, helping change hearts and minds through honest and open dialogue. He broadcast the power of personal stories in living rooms across the country, interviewing everyone from our greatest stars to our forgotten neighbors. Insatiably curious and accepting, Phil saw every guest as worthy of interest and worked to build understanding, helping us see each other not as enemies, but as fellow Americans.

Through his extraordinary career in television and through thousands of daily conversations, Phil Donahue steered the national discourse and spoke to our better angels. He will be sorely missed.

Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the Donahue family and keep them close in our hearts—including his beloved wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, and his sister, children, and grandchildren.

May God bless you, Phil.

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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke today with Philippine National Security Advisor Eduardo M. Año.  Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Año discussed the continued historic momentum in the U.S.-Philippines Alliance, including the recent announcement of $500 million in U.S. Foreign Military Financing from the FY 2024 Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which, working with the U.S. Congress, will help modernize the Philippine armed forces and coast guard.  Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Año discussed how this additional security assistance can bolster U.S.-Philippines cooperation in support of international maritime law in the South China Sea.  

Mr. Sullivan also condemned the People’s Republic of China’s deliberate collision with two Philippine Coast Guard vessels operating lawfully near Sabina Shoal in the Philippines ‘exclusive economic zone on August 19.  Mr. Sullivan reiterated the ironclad U.S. commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft—to include those of its Coast Guard—anywhere in the South China Sea. 

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Today, we mark World Humanitarian Day and honor the brave humanitarian workers around the world who put themselves in harm’s way to help the most vulnerable. From crises in Sudan, Gaza, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and elsewhere, these humanitarian workers often operate in the most challenging circumstances, including active conflicts, to ensure that life-saving assistance reaches those who need it most. Their actions support communities in their most dire moments of need, and contribute to a safer, more secure world. Today, and every day, we owe humanitarian workers our gratitude for their service and our commitment to continue advocating for their critical work and their safety in the face of the world’s most challenging circumstances. 

The United States is committed to continuing to stand alongside humanitarian workers and dedicate critical resources to save lives and alleviate suffering worldwide. That’s why in 2023, we provided nearly $15 billion in humanitarian aid and, in 2024, we have stepped up to address the unprecedented level of need around the world. As nearly 300 million people now require humanitarian assistance and protection, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to this work and continue to urge international partners to join us in stepping up their contributions to address growing humanitarian needs around the world. Working together, we can make meaningful life-saving change in countless lives.  

On this World Humanitarian Day, and every day, we stand in solidarity with aid workers and honor their tireless efforts to save lives, alleviate suffering, and preserve human dignity. 

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We, the leaders of Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the United States (U.S.), commemorate the tremendous progress in our trilateral cooperation in the year since our historic summit.  The spirit of the Trilateral Leaders’ Summit continues to inspire us, and the principles we established at Camp David serve as a roadmap for our unparalleled cooperation. We are working together to achieve our shared goals of advancing security and prosperity for the region and the world.

We stand by our commitment to consult on regional challenges, provocations, and threats affecting our collective interests and security. We renew our commitment to enhancing security cooperation—girded by the ironclad U.S.-Japan and U.S.-ROK alliances—deepening the alignment of our shared economic and technological priorities, increasing coordination on global health initiatives, and further expanding the robust people-to-people ties between our three countries.  Over the past year, we have demonstrated our unwavering commitment to these shared objectives through close consultation and coordination on priorities in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

We celebrate the accomplishments of our trilateral cooperation, including the inaugural execution of the trilateral multi-domain exercise Freedom Edge, the signing of a new Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework, and the progress made by our trilateral working groups focused on combatting efforts by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to generate revenue for its weapons of mass destruction programs through cybercrime and other illicit means. We are resolved to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, remain aligned in our shared vision, and stand ready to meet the world’s greatest challenges.  We hold an unshakeable belief that cooperation between Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States is indispensable for meeting today’s challenges and will set the stage for a prosperous future.

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I congratulate President Luis Abinader on his inauguration.  Bound by our common commitment to democracy—and deep cultural ties—the Dominican Republic and the United States are close friends and partners.  As President Abinader begins his second term, we stand ready to support him and his administration in their efforts to secure a prosperous future for the people of the Dominican Republic.

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Earlier today, I received an update from my negotiating team on the ground in Doha and directed them to put forward the comprehensive bridging proposal presented today, which offers the basis for coming to a final agreement on a ceasefire and hostage release deal. I spoke separately with Amir Sheikh Tamim and President Sisi to review the significant progress made in Doha over the past two days of talks, and they expressed the strong support of Qatar and Egypt for the U.S. proposal as co-mediators in this process. Our teams will remain on the ground to continue technical work over the coming days, and senior officials will convene again in Cairo before the end of the week. They will report to me regularly. I am sending Secretary Blinken to Israel to reaffirm my iron-clad support for Israel’s security, continue our intensive efforts to conclude this agreement and to underscore that with the comprehensive ceasefire and hostage release deal now in sight, no one in the region should take actions to undermine this process.

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Over the last 48 hours in Doha, senior officials from our governments have engaged in intensive talks as mediators aiming to conclude the agreement for a ceasefire and release of hostages and detainees. These talks were serious and constructive and were conducted in a positive atmosphere. Earlier today in Doha, the United States with support from Egypt and Qatar, presented to both parties a bridging proposal that is consistent with the principles laid out by President Biden on May 31, 2024 and Security Council Resolution No. 2735. This proposal builds on areas of agreement over the past week, and bridges remaining gaps in the manner that allows for a swift implementation of the deal.   

Working teams will continue technical work over the coming days on the details of implementation, including arrangements to implement the agreement’s extensive humanitarian provisions, as well as specifics relating to hostages and detainees.

Senior officials from our governments will reconvene in Cairo before the end of next week with the aim to conclude the deal under the terms put forward today. As the leaders of the three countries stated last week, “There is no further time to waste nor excuses from any party for further delay.  It is time to release the hostages and detainees, begin the ceasefire, and implement this agreement.”

The path is now set for that outcome, saving lives, bringing relief to the people of Gaza, and de-escalating regional tensions.

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Since day one of our Administration, President Joe Biden and I have made it a priority to strengthen the middle class by lowering costs, creating jobs, and advancing opportunity. That is why we fought to enact our Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that I was proud to cast the tie-breaking vote on in the Senate. In the two years since President Biden signed it into law, this landmark bill has already delivered for American families.
 
This transformational legislation is reducing the cost of health care for millions of people in communities across our nation – from capping the price of insulin at $35 a month for seniors to capping out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000 a year for Americans on Medicare, which is expected to save nearly 19 million seniors an average of $400 per year. Additionally, Medicare is now able to negotiate lower prescription prices for millions of Americans while saving taxpayers billions by paying rates 40% to 80% lower for expensive medications used to treat conditions such as blood clots, heart disease, and cancer.
 
Our Inflation Reduction Act is also the single largest climate investment in American history. While taking on the climate crisis and lowering utility bills for families, it is helping us to rebuild American manufacturing and drive American innovation – creating good-paying union jobs, furthering economic opportunity, and contributing to the nearly $900 billion of private-sector investment since President Biden and I took office.
 
As we mark this two-year anniversary, President Biden and I recommit to doing everything in our power to ensure that families throughout our country have the freedom to thrive.

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Two years ago, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, with Vice President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote in Congress. The Inflation Reduction Act is a key part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, which has driven the fastest and most equitable recovery on record – creating good-paying jobs, expanding opportunity, and lowering costs in every corner of the country.

Already, the Inflation Reduction Act is transforming American lives by finally beating Big Pharma to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, making the largest investment in clean energy and climate action in history, creating hundreds of thousands good-paying jobs, lowering health care and energy costs, and making the tax code fairer. Visit the White House Savings Explorer to see how Americans are saving money on their annual expenses because of the Inflation Reduction Act and other Biden-Harris Administration actions.

In the two years since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law:

• Just yesterday, the President and Vice President announced that, for the first time in history, Medicare successfully negotiated lower prescription drug prices, which will save millions of seniors, people with disabilities, and other Medicare beneficiaries over $1.5 billion out-of-pocket in the first year. 
• Millions of Americans are saving an average of $800 per year on health insurance premiums because of cost savings from the American Rescue Plan that the Inflation Reduction Act extended, helping drive the nation’s uninsured rate to historic lows.
• 4 million seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries saved money on insulin because of the law’s cap at $35 for a month’s supply. 10.3 million Medicare enrollees received a free vaccine in 2023, saving them more than $400 million in out-of-pocket vaccine costs.
• The IRS successfully piloted Direct File in 12 states, saving 140,000 people an estimated $5.6 million in tax preparation fees by enabling them to file their taxes directly with the IRS online, for free. And, the IRS has recovered over $1 billion by cracking down on millionaire tax cheats since the law passed. 
• Last year, 3.4 million Americans benefited from $8.4 billion in Inflation Reduction Act tax credits to lower the cost of clean energy and energy efficiency upgrades in their homes – significantly outpacing projections of the popularity of the tax credits in just the first year they were available.
• Since January 2024, more than 250,000 Americans have claimed the IRA’s electric vehicle tax credit, saving these buyers about $1.5 billion total. Nearly all of these buyers claimed the incentive at the point of sale.
• Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, companies have announced$900 billion in clean energy and manufacturing investments in the US, including over $265 billion in clean energy investments since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law. These investments are creating over 330,000 new jobs in the United States according to an outside group. 
• Economically distressed areas are poised to benefit the most from those investments. Over 99% of high-poverty counties in the United States are benefitting from an Investing in America project funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, or CHIPS and Science Act. According to Treasury Department analysis, since the Inflation Reduction Act passed, 75% of private sector clean energy investments have flowed to counties with lower than median household incomes,  and clean energy investment in energy communities has doubled.  And, the Inflation Reduction Act is the largest investment in environmental justice in history.

Additionally, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken action to protect the critical investments that the Inflation Reduction Act is making in the domestic clean energy economy from unfair trade practices. In May, President Biden increased tariffs on $18 billion of Chinese imports to combat China’s artificially low-priced exports in strategic sectors such as electric vehicles, batteries, and solar. These actions protect American jobs, businesses, investments, and economic growth. 

Lowering health care costs for millions of Americans

President Biden and Vice President Harris have made expanding access to high-quality, affordable health care and lowering prescription drug costs for American families a top priority. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, health care is more accessible and more affordable than ever before.  In just the last two years:

• The law enhanced the Affordable Care Act’s financial assistance that is available to consumers to purchase health insurance. Millions of Americans are saving, on average, about $800 a year on their health insurance plans, with more than 80 percent of consumers able to find health insurance for $10 or less a month. As a result, a record-breaking 21 million people signed up for ACA coverage in 2024. That’s 9 million more than when the President and Vice President took office, and more underserved communities are enrolling in coverage, with 1.7 million Black Americans and 3.4 million Latinos enrolled, a 95% and 103% increase, respectively, since 2020.
• The Inflation Reduction Act capped insulin costs at $35 for a month’s supply and making recommended adult vaccines free. Four million Medicare beneficiaries are now saving on their monthly insulin costs, and over 10 million beneficiaries received a free vaccine, saving more than $400 million in out-of-pocket cost. 
• Drug companies that increase prices faster than inflation now have to pay a rebate to Medicare—which is translating into lower out of pocket costs for seniors.
• Next year, out of pocket drug costs will be capped at $2,000 per year for Medicare beneficiaries, which is expected to save nearly 19 million seniors an average of $400 per year.
• The Inflation Reduction Act – for the first time ever – gives Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. Just this week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new, lower prescription drug prices for all ten drugs selected for the first year of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. The new, lower prices, which go into effect in 2026, will save American taxpayers $6 billion and will save seniors and people with disabilities $1.5 billion in out of pocket costs in 2026 alone. These new prices cut the list cost for drugs that treat heart disease, blood clots, diabetes, cancer, and more by nearly 40% to 80%.

Lowering energy costs with the largest climate investment in history

The Inflation Reduction Act is tackling the climate crisis by advancing clean power, cutting pollution from buildings, transportation, and industry and supporting climate-smart agriculture and forestry. The law is accelerating our progress toward President Biden and Vice President Harris’ goal of cutting U.S. climate pollution by 50 to 52 percent below 2005 levels in 2030.

Two years after the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden-Harris Administration has made tremendous progress implementing the climate and clean energy provisions of this law quickly and effectively. Treasury guidance is now available for nearly all of the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax provisions. On the grant, loan, and rebate side of the law, nearly two thirds of Inflation Reduction Act funding has been awarded. As an example of the Administration’s rapid progress on implementation, today the Environmental Protection Agency announced that all $27 billion in awards through their Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund are now obligated. $20 billion of these awards go toward a national clean energy financing network that will support tens of thousands of clean energy projects, reducing or avoiding millions of metric tons of carbon pollution annually over the next seven years. The other $7 billion in awards through the Solar for All program will save over $350 million each year on energy bills for over 900,000 low-income and disadvantaged households through residential solar.

In the two years since President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law:

• Clean energy projects are creating more than 330,000 jobs in nearly every state in the country, according to outside groups.
• Companies have announced $265 billion in new clean energy investments in nearly every state in the nation. According to Treasury Department analysis, many of these investments are happening in underserved communities—since the IRA passed, 75% of private sector clean energy investments made since the Inflation Reduction Act passed have occurred in counties with lower than median household incomes,  and clean energy investment in energy communities has doubled.

• Last week, Treasury and IRS released new data showing that in 2023, more than 3.4 million American families saved $8.4 billion from IRA consumer tax credits on home energy technologies. These tax credits can save families up to 30% off heat pumps, insulation, rooftop solar, and other clean energy technologies.
• New York and Wisconsin have now launched home energy rebate programs, with more states expected to launch later this summer and fall. Already, 22 states have submitted their applications to DOE to receive their full rebate funding. These rebate programs help low- and middle-income families afford cost-saving electric appliances and energy efficiency improvements by providing rebates up to $14,000 per household. In total, the IRA rebates programs are expected to save consumers up to $1 billion annually in energy costs and support an estimated 50,000 U.S. jobs in residential construction, manufacturing, and other sectors.
• Since January 2024, more than 250,000 Americans have claimed the Inflation Reduction Act’s EV tax credits—either $7,500 off a qualified new electric vehicle, or up to $4,000 off a qualified used electric vehicle. In total, these taxpayers have saved about $1.5 billion and nearly all buyers claimed the incentive at the point of sale.

Making the tax system fairer and making the wealthy pay their fair share

The Inflation Reduction Act fully pays for these investments, and reduces the deficit over the long run, by cutting wasteful spending on special interests and making big corporations and the wealthy pay more of their fair share. After 55 of the biggest corporations in America paid $0 in federal income tax on $40 billion in profits in 2020, the Inflation Reduction Act requires billion-dollar corporations to pay at least 15 percent in tax. It also requires corporations to pay a 1 percent excise tax on stock buybacks, encouraging businesses to invest in their growth and productivity instead of funneling tax-preferred profits to foreign shareholders. By making large corporations pay more of their fair share, the IRA will raise around $300 billion over a decade.

The Inflation Reduction Act also makes a historic investment in modernizing the IRS, providing funding to better taxpayer experience, reduce fraud, and upgrade critical technology infrastructure. Thanks to these investments, the IRS has already:

• Improved services for millions of taxpayers. This spring, the IRS answered 3 million more phone calls than in 2022, cut phone wait times to three minutes from 28 minutes, served 200,000 more taxpayers in person, and saved taxpayers 1.4 million hours on hold last filing season. It also expanded online services, enabling 94% of taxpayers to submit forms digitally instead of via mail if they so choose.
• Successfully piloted Direct File, allowing taxpayers to easily file their taxes online and for free, directly with the IRS for the first time. Over 140,000 Americans successfully filed their taxes through Direct File this year, claiming over $90 million in refunds and saving an estimated $5.6 million in tax preparation fees. Users said Direct File was easy and fast to use, with 90% rating their experience excellent or above average. Building on this success, the IRS has invited all 50 states and the District of Columbia to join Direct File starting in 2025.
• Collected $1 billion from 1,500 millionaire tax cheats, launched enforcement action against 25,000 millionaires who have not filed a tax return since 2017, began audits on dozens of the largest corporations and partnerships, and cracked down on high-end tax evasion like deducting personal use of corporate jets as a business expense. At the same time, the IRS is adhering to Treasury Secretary Yellen’s commitment to not increase audit rates relative to current levels for small businesses and Americans making less than $400,000 a year.

Over the next decade, the Inflation Reduction Act’s investments will enable the IRS to further crack down on wealthy and corporate tax cheats and collect over $400 billion in additional revenue.

Going forward, the IRS is on track to implement additional improvements to taxpayer experience; provide additional in-person services in rural and underserved areas; redesign notices and forms to be less confusing; and expand online and mobile-friendly tools.

Investing in America to create jobs and expand opportunity

When President Biden thinks about climate change, he thinks about jobs. Two years into implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, it’s easy to see why.

Across the nation, the Inflation Reduction Act is catalyzing a clean energy and manufacturing boom. Since President Biden took office, the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda has catalyzed nearly $900 billion in private sector investment commitments, including roughly $400 billion in clean energy across every state in the nation. That topline figure includes enough power generation to replace 40 Hoover Dams, the largest wind tower manufacturing facility in the world, the largest solar investment in US history.

Broader macroeconomic indicators also illustrate how, through tax credits and domestic content requirements within the law–we are successfully onshoring critical supply chains and encouraging a resurgence of domestic manufacturing. Real investment in manufacturing structures is at an all-time high—and has been for six quarters. Manufacturing’s contribution to GDP broke quarters for three consecutive quarters in 2023. And Americans have filed to open a record 300,000 new manufacturing businesses.

These investments are having real impacts on communities—particularly those that need it most. Public dollars are flowing disproportionately to disadvantaged and left behind communities: 99% of high-poverty counties have received funding from the infrastructure law, CHIPS Act, or Inflation Reduction Act, and non-metro communities have received nearly double the per capita funding of their urban counterparts. On the private sector side, analysis from the US Treasury tells a similar story. Since the IRA passed, 84% of announced clean investments have flowed to counties with college graduation rates below the national average, and the rate of investment in energy communities has more than doubled. 

Given these successes, it is no wonder that Republicans who voted against the bill are suddenly trying to take credit for it—and urging their leadership not to proceed with an unpopular repeal effort.

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Two years ago, I signed the Inflation Reduction Act—the largest climate investment in history that is lowering energy costs and creating good-paying union jobs, while taking on Big Pharma to lower prescription drug costs—with Vice President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote. Already, this law is lowering health care costs for millions of families, strengthening energy security, and creating more than 330,000 clean energy jobs according to outside groups.  It has also unleashed $265 billion in clean energy and manufacturing investments from the private sector in the last two years—part of the nearly $900 billion invested in America since we took office.

This historic legislation is fiscally responsible. It lowers the deficit over the long run by cutting wasteful spending on special interests and making big corporations and the wealthy pay more of their fair share. And just yesterday, my Administration announced lower prescription drug prices for the first ten drugs that have been negotiated by Medicare, which will cut the prices of drugs used to treat blood clots, heart disease, cancer, and more by nearly 40% to 80%, and save taxpayers $6 billion in the first year alone.

While Republicans in Congress try to repeal this law—which would increase prescription drug costs and take good-paying jobs away from their constituents, all to give massive tax cuts to big corporations—Vice President Harris and I will keep fighting to move our country forward by investing in America and giving families more breathing room.

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Today, during the 116th anniversary of the Springfield Race Riot, which occurred August 14-16, 1908, President Biden will sign a proclamation establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Springfield, Illinois. The new national monument will tell the story of a horrific attack by a white mob on a Black community that was representative of the racism, intimidation, and violence that Black Americans experienced across the country. National outrage at the attack – which occurred just blocks away from President Abraham Lincoln’s home – spurred action on civil rights, including the creation of the organization now known as the NAACP.

By establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, President Biden is recognizing the significance of these events and the broader history of Black community resilience in the face of violent oppression. At a time when some are working to rewrite history and erase painful moments in our past, President Biden and Vice President Harris are committed to protecting places that help tell a more complete story of our nation’s history, including by recognizing difficult moments that have been ignored or obscured for far too long.

The Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument will also showcase the power of individual Americans who came together across racial lines and took action in the face of injustice. Following the riot, national leaders gathered to work together for civil rights, which led to the creation of the NAACP and helped turn the Springfield 1908 Race Riot’s legacy from one of tragedy alone to an event that led to enduring progress and change for communities nationwide.

Today’s designation furthers the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advancing civil rights and racial justice, including through President Biden signing the Emmett Till Antilynching Act to codify lynching as a federal hate crime, establishing the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, and dedicating Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

The Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument will protect 1.57 acres of federal land in Springfield, Illinois, and will be managed by the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service. Through the historical objects protected at this site, the monument will tell the story of the violent mob that attacked the Black community in Springfield and lynched two Black men. The Springfield 1908 Race Riot was both a tragic event, and it was emblematic of a larger series of lynchings and racist mob violence that targeted Black communities across the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Between 1882 and 1910, there were 2,503 recorded lynchings of Black people in the United States.

In August 1908, two Black men – 17-year-old Joe James and 36-year-old George Richardson –were being held in the Sangamon County Jail in Springfield based on the claims of white accusers, including one who later recanted. On Friday, August 14th, a crowd of largely young, white men gathered around the county jail demanding that the two men be released in order to be lynched. Fearing violence and hoping to defuse the situation, the county sheriff and a local white business owner worked together to have James and Richardson moved to a jail in Bloomington about 60 miles away.

Upon learning of the move, the mob became violent and began looting and burning Black-owned homes and businesses and attacking residents and business owners. Violence continued throughout the weekend despite the efforts of the Governor, state militia, and Black firefighters and community members to defend the local neighborhoods.

The riot was largely quelled by the morning of Sunday, August 16th, but not before two Black men, Scott Burton and William Donnegan, were brutally lynched. By the end of the weekend, almost three dozen businesses in the Levee neighborhood – half of them Black-owned and a majority of the rest Jewish-owned businesses – had been targeted, looted, and vandalized. In the Badlands neighborhood, dozens more homes of Black community members and Black-owned businesses were also destroyed.

Six months after these tragic days, on the centennial of President Lincoln’s birth and invoking what had happened blocks from the only home he ever owned, a diverse set of leaders from around the country, including Ida B. Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Mary Church Terrell, called to create a national organization that could counter racist policies and fight for equality across the United States. Soon after, civil rights leaders gathered in person and founded an organization that would become the NAACP. Since then, the NAACP has become a transformative and effective civil rights organization, playing key roles in successful lawsuits to challenge discrimination and segregation, including Brown v. Board of Education, and advocating to end racial injustice across America.

The Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument will be the second national monument President Biden has designated using his authority under the Antiquities Act that commemorates and preserves a place significant to civil rights history. This action builds on President Biden’s leadership in also establishing or expanding the Blackwell School National Historic Site, the Amache National Historic Site, and the Brown v. Board National Historic Park – all units of the National Park System.

The Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument weaves together two important threads in our nation’s story: the hateful violence targeted against Black Americans, and the power of dedicated individuals to come together across racial lines to transform shock and grief into hope and action. Over the coming years, the National Park Service will work with the local community and organizations to plan for interpretation, commemoration, and visitor experiences associated with the new park site, which includes the charred foundations of five former homes that were never rebuilt. Just blocks from the Lincoln Home National Historical Site, the new national monument will help tell a fuller and more complete history about the tragedy that occurred in Springfield and the work of civil rights leaders to organize and create lasting change.

The new national monument is part of the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Network, which highlights sites of historic importance to the Civil Rights Movement. It also joins an extensive network of park sites dedicated to commemorating historic places integral to civil rights and equality, such as the Manzanar National Historic Site in California, the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Park in Alabama, the Stonewall National Monument in New York, and the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument in Washington, D.C.

Background on Antiquities Act Designations

President Theodore Roosevelt first used the Antiquities Act in 1906 to designate Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. Since then, 18 presidents of both parties have used this authority to protect natural and historic features in America, including the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, the Pullman National Monument, and the César E. Chávez National Monument.

The 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument will be President Biden’s eleventh use of the Antiquities Act and his second new national monument commemorating a site of significance to the Civil Rights Movement, following the creation of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in Mississippi and Illinois last year.

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The President and First Lady are excited to continue the tradition of welcoming volunteer holiday decorators and volunteer holiday performers to help celebrate the holiday season at the White House. Starting today, applications are now open for those interested in volunteering for the 2024 holiday season.

The White House welcomes volunteer applicants from all U.S. states and territories, and encourages military-connected family members, educators, and students to apply. The deadline to submit a volunteer application to be a holiday decorator or holiday performer will be on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. ET. Selected applicants will be notified on or after Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. ET.

All selected volunteers are responsible for their individual travel, accommodations, and personal expenses.

VOLUNTEER HOLIDAY DECORATOR APPLICATION

Those interested in volunteering to decorate the White House ahead of the holiday season may apply HERE. Please note each person must apply individually, and group applications will not be accepted. Holiday decorator volunteers must be over the age of 18 and must be available to be in Washington, D.C. the week of Sunday, November 24, 2024.

VOLUNTEER HOLIDAY PERFORMER APPLICATION

Performers and musical groups, including school bands, choirs, and holiday-themed entertainers, may apply HERE for the opportunity to perform during White House holiday tours. White House holiday tours range from Tuesday, December 3, 2024 to Saturday, December 21, 2024.

For any questions regarding application or process, please reach out to Volunteers@who.eop.gov.

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The United States and the Dominican Republic share a strong partnership based on democratic values and historic people-to-people ties. On the occasion of the inauguration of President Luis Abinader for his second term as the president of the Dominican Republic tomorrow, President Joe Biden sent a senior Presidential Delegation led by Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to extend his heartfelt congratulations to the government and the people of the Dominican Republic. Furthermore, the Biden-Harris Administration commits to continuing our support to the Dominican Republic in the areas of economic growth, energy, security, health, and human rights, and promoting a more democratic, secure, and prosperous Western Hemisphere.  Here are some of the examples of the strength of our partnership:

INVESTING IN PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES
 
Our two countries benefit from unique, shared bonds of friendship and community.  Millions of Dominicans enrich communities across the United States and more than 4 million U.S. citizens visit the Dominican Republic each year.    

• Investing in the Next Generation of Dominican Leaders:  Embassy Santo Domingo has a collective educational and cultural exchange program alumni community of 31,000 emerging Dominican leaders. The two leading exchange programs are the Fulbright Foreign Student program consisting of almost 900 alumni, and the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) with almost 1,000 alumni.
• English Language Education:  Embassy Santo Domingo has provided technical and funding support to bolster the Dominican government’s English language immersion program at the university level. Over 20,000 students learned advanced English thanks to this program.
• Peace Corps:  Since 1962, more than 5,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in the Dominican Republic.  Currently, 93 volunteers work throughout the country in primary and secondary schools promoting literacy, life skills, and business and work skills in their communities. 

PROMOTING INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH

The United States and the Dominican Republic are working together to promote inclusive economic growth, including through the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, launched in 2023 by President Biden and 11 regional partners, and a wide range of development programs. 

• Open Skies Agreement:  The United States and Dominican Republic signed a historic Open Skies Agreement on August 2, 2024.  Once in effect, the Agreement will expand our strong economic and commercial partnership and create new opportunities for airlines, travel companies, and customers.
• U.S. International Development Finance Corporation Support:  The Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is providing a $200 million direct loan to Banco Popular Dominicano to support the institution’s lending to small businesses and women entrepreneurs – groups often underserved by traditional financial institutions. In addition, the DFC is providing a $42 million loan portfolio guaranty to Banreservas designed to support women entrepreneurs as well as small businesses and to promote green lending.
• The Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement:  This agreement, known as DR-CAFTA has created new economic opportunities by eliminating tariffs, opening markets, reducing barriers to services, and promoting transparency.  Various agencies within the United States have provided technical assistance to the Dominican Republic to address issues that arise under DR-CAFTA in areas including intellectual property, labor rights, the environment, and wildlife protection.
• Port of Manzanillo:  The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $1.3 million to support the planning process of the port in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  This project advised the Dominican government on port planning and project implementation, strengthening technical capacity to meet international standards and transparently tender approximately $2.5 billion in contracts for the port.  
• Youth Opportunities:  Through its $4.6 million Youth-Led Activity, USAID focuses on strengthening institutions and improving youth-friendly services to contribute to community resilience.  We seek to expand the economic opportunities for vulnerable youth from poor and marginalized neighborhoods to ensure that youth find economic and social opportunities that offer a way of life free from crime and violence. 
• Higher Education:  USAID works with ISA University, the Technology University of Santiago, and the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo to replicate and test access and retention best practices for youth from high-risk environments. This $4.3 million investment promotes higher education attainment for these youth, improving their economic prospects and social stability.   

INVESTING IN CLEAN ENERGY, CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Through the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030), the United States and the Dominican Republic will deepen technological cooperation, advance the clean energy transition, and address and mitigate the effects of the climate crisis.

• Clean Energy Transition:  The Department of Energy is supporting the Caribbean’s clean energy transition through the Energy Resilience and Security in the Caribbean Fund.  This $2.5 million fund is designed to provide the technical assistance necessary to implement clean energy solutions in the Caribbean in a broad range of sectors.
• Renewable Energy:  The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) works with the Dominican Republic’s Superintendent of Electricity to support the development of battery storage regulations.  USTDA assesses gaps in existing regulations and will create a regulatory roadmap for the deployment of energy storage technologies throughout the power system. The United States seeks to help the DR government reduce the cost and environmental impact of electricity generation.
• Energy Reform:  Through USAID’s $8.8 million regional Energy Sector Reform in the Dominican Republic, programming aims to increase distributed renewable energy generation, assess where smart-grid technologies can be deployed to provide energy more efficiently, and explore renewable energy generation.  As part of this work, USAID initiated the first in a series of energy cybersecurity training workshops in the Dominican Republic in December 2022. 
• Locally-Led Resilience:  USAID, through its $2.9 million Climate Adaptation Activity, aims to enhance environmental sustainability and resilience in the Dajabón region by improving natural resource management and adopting climate-smart agricultural practices. 
• Cleaner Oceans:  USAID’s solid waste reduction programming aims to decrease waste in communities and municipalities in the Dominican Republic, leading to cleaner oceans.  This $4.4 million activity supports municipalities to effectively manage, reduce, recycle and dispose of waste.
• Energy Transition Accelerator:  At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2023, the U.S. Department of State, the Bezos Earth Fund, and the Rockefeller Foundation presented the core framework of the Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA) and welcomed the Dominican Republic’s announcement it would join the ETA as a pilot country.  The ETA is an innovative carbon finance platform aimed at catalyzing private capital to support ambitious just energy transition strategies in developing and emerging economies. 

HEALTH COLLABORATION AND FOOD SECURITY

The United States and Dominican Republic enjoy a longstanding partnership on health and food security, and our historic investment in the Dominican health and agricultural systems have impacted thousands of Dominican citizens.  

• President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Program:  The United States has invested over $270 million in the last 16 years to support the HIV response in the Dominican Republic through the PEPFAR program, implemented by USAID and Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  The PEPFAR platform has allowed for health collaboration beyond HIV, including the DR’s most recent designation as a global health security intensive support partner. 
• Food Security:  Since 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Foreign Agricultural Service has provided over $14 million in funding to support capacity building and training programs related to food security, such as the Safe Agriculture/Food Export (SAFE) project and the Trade Safe program. 
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food for Progress Program:  The Foreign Agriculture Service has an active five-year, $13.5 million Food for Progress Program, dubbed Trade Safe. It aims to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s sanitary and phytosanitary measures as well as strengthen the local food safety systems by supporting the implementation of science-and risk-based standards.  These standards support critical regulatory improvements to facilitate increased agricultural trade between both countries.
• Resilient Agriculture: A $2.7 million, two-year USAID project launched in February 2024 will directly address the spike in food prices, crude oil, and commodities—including fertilizers and other common agricultural inputs—due to supply chain disruptions.  The project aims to mobilize funding from the private sector and will benefit 1,500 farmers, 30 percent of them women and youth.

STRENGTHENING DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND RULE OF LAW

The United States supports the Abinader administration’s efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, combat corruption, and improve the rule of law, as we understand these are fundamental to the Dominican Republic’s economic transformation and social cohesion.

• Procurement Transparency:  USAID’s $3.1 million Procurement Transparency Activity, implemented by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program, works to improve transparency, efficiency, and competition in the Dominican government procurement system by making recommendations on international best practices.   
• Responsive Justice:  To improve citizen security, USAID is investing more than $9.5 million to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s existing justice system by—among other activities—helping improve criminal justice institutions’ performance; reducing crime and violence, root causes of conflict through people-centered approaches; and strengthening the government’s ability to provide legal services to vulnerable populations.

EXPANDING DEFENSE AND SECURITY COOPERATION

U.S.-Dominican defense and security ties serve as a cornerstone of our partnership.  The Department of Defense (DoD) continues to cooperate with the Dominican Republic on many shared priorities, including building Dominican domain awareness, countering drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organized crime, climate resilience, developing humanitarian assistance and disaster response capabilities, and building institutional capacity.  Defense and security ties serve as the cornerstone of our alliance.

As the United States and the Dominican Republic work to help enable a free and open Caribbean region, including through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), we celebrate advancements in our cooperation:

• Bilateral-Multilateral Training and Exercises:  DoD and the Dominican Armed Forces conduct subject-matter expert exchanges and key leader engagements together, in which they share best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures.  The Dominican and U.S. militaries also participate together in exercises, including CENTAM Guardian, Tradewinds, Fuerzas Comando (Commando Forces), and in security conferences promoting regional cooperation on topics such as human rights. 
• Armed Foreces Modernization:  The United States is facilitating the Dominican military’s acquisitions for modern platforms that will enhance the Dominican Armed Force’s capabilities and maintain their interoperability with U.S. and allied systems.  With the support of DoD, the Dominican Air Force established its National Southern Command at Barahona airport.
• International Military Education and Training:  DoD promotes education programs to strengthen the continued professionalism and effectiveness of the Dominican military, enabling the military to support Dominican law enforcement authorities in safeguarding citizen security and countering illicit trafficking.
• Citizen Security:  The State Department has provided comprehensive support to police transformation efforts in the Dominican Republic, including reformation of the police training curriculum to increase the focus on human rights; supporting human resource advising for career development; and providing major IT donations for data management, transparency and accountability.
• Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing:  The Treasury Department has provided technical assistance to strengthen efforts to combat money laundering and to counter terrorism financing in the Dominican Republic, and the Department of State has helped establish the country’s first Anti-Money Laundering Task Force.

ADVANCING RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOR RIGHTS

The United States is committed to supporting the Dominican Republic to advance our shared values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights and labor rights. 

• Combating Trafficking in Persons:  With over $1 million in funding from the State Department, the United States continues to support “RD SIN TRATA,” a program that aims to reduce the risk of trafficking and the revictimization of survivors by building the capacity of the Dominican Government and civil society to prevent, protect and prosecute trafficking cases and increase access to trauma-informed and victim-centered standard operating procedures for specialized shelter staff.
• Supporting Women and Care Workers: The USAID-funded Together We Care Project is working to promote better working conditions and social protections for care workers, address gender inequities in the health workforce, and formalize the domestic care economy. 
• Advancing LGBTQI+ Rights:  USAID’s $2.3 million “Being LGBTQI In the Caribbean” activity strengthens the professional and institutional capacities of civil society organizations and individual activists dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) equality within the Caribbean.

REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

• Summit of the Americas:  The United States and the Dominican Republic joined other governments to achieve bold hemispheric commitments on health and resilience, sustainability, digital transformation, the clean energy transition, and democratic governance at the Ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles in 2022.  The United States looks forward to supporting the Dominican Republic’s agenda for the Tenth Summit of the Americas that the Dominican Republic will host in Punta Cana in 2025.
• The Alliance for Development and Democracy:  The Dominican Republic, together with Costa Rica and Panama, launched the ADD in 2021 as a new multilateral forum to promote stronger democracy and deeper commercial and economic integration.  Ecuador joined the group in 2022, and the four countries have collaborated with the United States to strengthen supply chains and improve economic competitiveness.
• Improved Stability in Haiti:  The United States and the Dominican Republic have worked together to improve stability in Haiti, including through garnering diplomatic support for the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti, working collaboratively with the Caribbean Community, and supporting trade preferences for Haiti’s manufacturing sector.

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