Speeches/Remarks

Good morning!   Thank you for that kind introduction.

It’s a pleasure to be here today for this Summit on Capital and Minority Business Capacity Building. This theme hits at the core of an issue impacting just about every business owner in this room.

I would like to thank my friend, Dr. Fred McKinney, the board of directors and staff of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council for the opportunity to come before you today. I would also like to thank the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the many corporations that support this critically important summit.

9th Annual Diversity Business Exchange
Hartford, CT. October 2010

Ni Hao… hank you Claudia for the kind introduction.

Elieen Drake, Jeffrey Place, Ron Tates, Dr. Fred, Gold Suppliers and distinguished guests: It is my pleasure to be here today at the 9th Annual Diverse Business Exchange.

On behalf of the President Barack Obama and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, I want to thank United Technologies Corporation for inviting me to join you, particularly I want to thank Claudia Munez-Nahar, Tom Donnelly and Dennis Proto for their outstanding leadership and friendship.

Dinner Remarks – International Trade Focus

AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY, March 18, 2010
On behalf of President Barack Obama and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, I want to thank you for allowing me to join you this evening.

Secretary Locke was unable to attend this event, but he asked that I extend his heart-felt thanks to the Board of Directors and staff of GLACK and Chairman and Co-Founder Gene Hale who graciously extended the invitation to address you this evening. I’d also like to thank Kerman Maddox a good friend of the Administration, for being here.

I am always happy to be in Los Angeles away from the sometimes frigid weather back in D.C. From the looks of this very attractive crowd, I am going to have to make my way back to Los Angeles more often. My younger sister, Peyton, lives out here so I have a legitimate excuse! I am glad she is able to join me this evening.

AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY, FEBRUARY 24, 2010
Thank you for inviting me to this, the 24th Annual Reservation Economic Summit.

I also bring you greetings from President Barack Obama, who has and will continue to be a voice of wisdom and a force of action in helping to expand the partnership between the sovereign nations of this great land and the United States Government.

Yesterday, you heard from Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke who knows first hand the struggles that many Native Americans face, and who is fully committed to bringing the full force of the Department of Commerce to expand economic opportunity in Indian Country.

As Secretary Locke stated, the Department of Commerce can maximize economic opportunity in Indian Country if every Native American is counted.
Being counted in the U.S. Census will cost you nothing and ensures that your communities gain their fair share of resources.