DOD ARTICLE ON RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Right:  Flooded areas of Boulder County, Colo. are seen from a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter Sept. 18, 2013. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jecca Geffre.
  
FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
DOD Wraps Climate Change Response into Master Plans
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 2013 – The effects of climate change are already evident at Defense Department installations in the United States and overseas, and DOD expects climate change to challenge its ability to fulfill its mission in the future, according to the first DOD Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap.
John Conger, the acting deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and environment told American Forces Press Service the roadmap was completed in 2012 and published early this year.

The document “had us do a variety of things,” Conger said. “But the piece that I think is the crux of the report is, rather than creating a stovepipe within the DOD organizational structure to deal with climate change, [the document says] we are going to integrate climate change considerations into the normal processes, the day-to-day jobs of everybody.”

Such language is going to be integrated into various guidance documents, he added, “and we’ve already started doing that.”

The department’s action is part of a federal government effort to address the global challenge. In June, President Barack Obama launched a Climate Action Plan to cut carbon pollution, prepare communities for climate change impacts and lead similar international efforts.

Across the United States, local communities and cities are updating building codes, adjusting the way they manage natural resources, investing in more resilient infrastructure and planning for rapid recovery from damage that could occur due to climate change.

And on Nov. 1, the president issued an executive order on climate preparedness directing federal agencies to modernize programs to support climate-resilient investments, manage lands and waters for climate change preparedness and resilience, and plan for climate-change-related risk, among other things.
The order also forms an interagency council on climate preparedness and resilience, chaired by the White House and composed of more than 25 agencies, including the Defense Department.

The foundation for DOD’s strategic policy on climate change began with the defense secretary’s publication in 2010 of the Quadrennial Defense Review. The QDR, produced every four years, translates the National Defense Strategy into policies and initiatives.

In 2010, the QDR for the first time linked climate change and national security. It said climate change may affect DOD by shaping the department’s operating environments, roles and missions, have significant geopolitical impacts worldwide, and accelerate instability or conflict.

The QDR said DOD also would have to adjust to climate change impacts on its facilities, infrastructure, training and testing activities and military capabilities.
As the acting deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and environment, Conger also is the department’s senior climate official, and his first job is to manage the installations and environment portfolio.

“That includes over 500 bases and 300,000 buildings and 2.2 billion square feet of space,” he said. “The infrastructure has a plant replacement value on the order of $850 billion. There’s a lot of stuff out there that is all going to be impacted by changes in the climate.”

Conger said the department has to plan for the contingencies that climate change poses just as it would plan for any other contingency, driven by any other force in the world.

“As I look at managing the infrastructure, I have to think about risk as well in that context,” he said. “What is climate change likely to do? What are the major changes that will occur that will affect that $850 billion real property portfolio?”
The obvious threats are things like a rise in sea-levels, storm surges and storm intensity, but there’s also drought and thawing permafrost that affects bases in Alaska, the deputy undersecretary added.

“Similarly, on our installations we have over 400 endangered species,” he said. “We manage those species through documents called integrated natural resources management plans and we manage [them] not through some degree of altruism … but the fact is that if we don’t manage those species effectively and they do appear more threatened, then other regulatory agencies will put limits on what we can do on our property and that will impact training.”

Conger added, “We said, ‘Take climate into account. Make sure you have planned for this. Make sure you have thought about it and addressed it in your [installation management] plans.’”

“These are all, in my mind, sensible, reasonable steps that don’t cost very much money today and just require a little bit of forethought in order to reduce our exposure to risk tomorrow.”

The president’s June Climate Action Plan categorized recommendations for action in terms of mitigating or eliminating emissions that cause climate change, adapting to climate change, and working internationally on climate change, Conger said.
DOD has been looking at mitigation, or the energy problem, for a long time, the deputy undersecretary added.

Energy and climate are tied together, Conger said, because energy and emissions are tied together.

“We are working very hard and diligently to reduce our energy usage, to reduce our energy intensity and to increase the use of renewable energy, which doesn’t have emissions,” he said. “And we have done each of these things not because it is good for the climate or because it reduces emissions but because they provide mission and monetary benefits.”

Conger says the department’s $4 billion annual utility bill drives the search for energy-efficiency, renewable-energy development projects and more. All have benefits from a mission perspective first, he said, and also turn out to be good for the environment.

SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY'S REMARKS ON GENEVA TALKS WITH IRAN

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
November 26, 2013


SECRETARY KERRY: You'll be hearing a lot about what the United States and our partners just achieved in Geneva so I wanted to take a minute to share with you an inside view of what we really accomplished here and to explain very clearly what it is and what it isn't. First of all, this is a beginning. It's a first step. Over the coming months, we're going to roll up our sleeves and keep working with the parties at the table in order to reach a final, comprehensive agreement that ensures Iran will not acquire a nuclear weapon and that the nuclear program that they do have will be entirely peaceful. And that has to be absolutely verifiable.
So let me lay out the main points of what we've already achieved here in this first step agreement. And the reason I want to do that is, it's significant. This agreement that we've just signed is the first in almost a decade to put any kind of meaningful limits on Iran's nuclear program. And we're not just slowing down its progress; we're actually halting it and even rolling it back in some key areas. That's very important. It means that even as we continue to move forward with negotiations, Iran's nuclear program will not move forward, and in some respects it's going to be moving backwards.

So here's exactly what this agreement does. In order to work, nuclear weapons require either highly enriched uranium or plutonium. Uranium, as I'm sure you know, is found in nature, but it's found in a form, a raw form, that can't be used for a bomb. So to make it useful for nuclear weapons, you need to separate the majority of the uranium that is not useful for nuclear weapons from the small amount that is, and this is a process called enrichment.

Highly enriched uranium, or HEU, can be produced in a number of ways, but an increasingly common way is through the use of centrifuges because they are low power, very cheap to operate, and easy to hide. Uranium for weapons is about 90% enriched. And uranium for reactors, for instance to give you nuclear power for your electricity in your home, is usually at about 5%. So you see the difference here. Plutonium, on the other hand, is not found in nature. It requires putting uranium into a reactor and then you separate out the plutonium from the uranium. Our proposal addresses both of these paths to nuclear weapons.

On enrichment, we are eliminating Iran's stockpile of already enriched - 20% enriched - uranium. We are holding their centrifuge program where it is today, and we are stopping them from using their most advanced centrifuges. These are centrifuges that can separate uranium very quickly and do the enrichment very fast so they are very risky and that's why we keep them away from that process for now.

On plutonium, we're putting on hold the most meaningful parts of their reactor that's currently under construction in a place called Arak, Iran. Now this is their most likely source of plutonium, and that's why it's something we are absolutely determined to stop. On top of this, we're also adding more international inspections so that we know exactly what Iran is doing at these risky places and that is very consistent with our deal and, most importantly, it's so that we can make absolutely certain that they are not using these facilities during the time that we're negotiating the comprehensive deal in order to move towards nuclear weapons. In other words, we're verifying, and for the first time, we will get inspectors into their critical facilities every single day.

Now let me tell you what this first step does not do, because some people are putting out some misinformation on it and I want it to be clear. It does not lift the current architecture of our sanctions. Our sanctions are basically banking and oil sanctions, and those sanctions will stay in place. All the core sanctions on financial services remain firmly in place, and we do this in exchange for Iran keeping its end of the agreement -- that they will get a small amount of additional money which is totally reversible if we need to, if they don't keep their word, but we give them a small amount of relief. Iran will be allowed to repatriate about $4.2 billion or so in oil revenues and will be allowed to export about $2.5 billion in petrochemicals and vehicles. So believe me, when I say this relief is limited and reversible, I mean it.

We all know that if the agreement falls apart, Iran is going to quickly face even tougher sanctions. I want you to know these were not easy negotiations. We drove a very hard bargain to achieve what we needed to in terms of our verification and certainty about where they're going. And we drove a hard bargain because we have one unwavering purpose in our goal. President Obama has been absolutely clear that Iran cannot and will not acquire a nuclear weapon. And today, thanks to this effort, we took an important first step towards guaranteeing that that never happens, and I think we did it in the most effective way. We did it through diplomacy.

So now it's time to get back to work. We are immediately going to work on the final agreement, the comprehensive agreement, and our diplomats and our experts will be at the negotiating table very soon again working to achieve this final comprehensive agreement that addresses all of our concerns and our friends: Israel, Saudi Arabia, the Arab Emirates, others. The whole world has an interest in making sure that this is a peaceful program. We absolutely also have an interest in trying to achieve that through a peaceful, diplomatic means and also to have a total answer to the question that challenges the security of the United States, the Middle East, and the world.

So we're going to get this done, I hope, but we're not cocky about it. We're not overconfident. It's going to take a lot of work, and in the end, it's really up to Iran to make the choice, to prove that its program is indeed peaceful. They can say it, but saying it doesn't make it happen. It has to be proven. And in the end, they have to be the ones to make the choice to do that. So let's work together, all of us, to try and forge a different future that benefits all of us. Thank you.

WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL SUBSIDIARIES PLEAD GUILTY TO FCPA AND TRADING WITH THE ENEMY ACT VIOLATIONS

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Three Subsidiaries of Weatherford International Limited Agree to Plead Guilty to FCPA and Export Control Violations
Weatherford International and Subsidiaries Agree to Pay $252 Million in Penalties and Fines

Three subsidiaries of Weatherford International Limited (Weatherford International), a Swiss oil services company that trades on the New York Stock Exchange, have agreed to plead guilty to anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and export controls violations under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Trading With the Enemy Act (TWEA).  Weatherford International and its subsidiaries have also agreed to pay more than $252 million in penalties and fines.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District of Texas, and Assistant Director in Charge Valerie Parlave of the FBI’s Washington Field Office made the announcement.  

Weatherford Services Limited (Weatherford Services), a subsidiary of Weatherford International, today agreed to plead guilty to violating the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA.  As part of a coordinated FCPA resolution, the department today also filed a criminal information in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas charging Weatherford International with one count of violating the internal controls provisions of the FCPA.   To resolve the charge, Weatherford International has agreed to pay an $87.2 million criminal penalty as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with the department.

“Effective internal accounting controls are not only good policy, they are required by law for publicly traded companies – and for good reason,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman.  “This case demonstrates how loose controls and an anemic compliance environment can foster foreign bribery and fraud by a company’s subsidiaries around the globe.  Although Weatherford’s extensive remediation and its efforts to improve its compliance functions are positive signs, the corrupt conduct of Weatherford International’s subsidiaries allowed it to earn millions of dollars in illicit profits, for which it is now paying a significant price.”
“When business executives engage in bribery and pay-offs in order to obtain contracts, an uneven marketplace is created and honest competitor companies are put at a disadvantage,” said Assistant Director in Charge Parlave.  “The FBI is committed to investigating corrupt backroom deals that influence contract procurement and threaten our global commerce.”

In a separate matter, Weatherford International and four of its subsidiaries today agreed to pay a combined $100 million to resolve a criminal and administrative export controls investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, and the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.   As part of the resolution of that investigation, Weatherford International has agreed to enter into a deferred prosecution agreement for a term of two years and two of its subsidiaries have agreed to plead guilty to export controls charges.

“The resolution today of these criminal charges represents the seriousness that our office and the Department of Justice puts on enforcing the export control and sanctions laws,” said U.S. Attorney Magidson.

In a related FCPA matter, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC) filed a settlement today in which Weatherford International consented to the entry of a permanent injunction against FCPA violations and agreed to pay $65,612,360 in disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and civil penalties.   Weatherford International also agreed with the SEC to comply with certain undertakings regarding its FCPA compliance program, including the retention of an independent corporate compliance monitor.

The combined investigations resulted in the conviction of three Weatherford subsidiaries, the entry by Weatherford International into two deferred prosecution agreements and a civil settlement, and the payment of a total of $252,690,606 in penalties and fines.

FCPA Violations

According to court documents filed by the department, prior to 2008, Weatherford International knowingly failed to establish an effective system of internal accounting controls designed to detect and prevent corruption, including FCPA violations.  The company failed to implement these internal controls despite operating in an industry with a substantial corruption risk profile and despite growing its global footprint in large part by purchasing existing companies, often themselves in countries with high corruption risks.   As a result, a permissive and uncontrolled environment existed within which employees of certain of Weatherford International’s wholly owned subsidiaries in Africa and the Middle East were able to engage in corrupt conduct over the course of many years, including both bribery of foreign officials and fraudulent misuse of the United Nations’ Oil for Food Program.

Court documents state that Weatherford Services employees established and operated a joint venture in Africa with two local entities controlled by foreign officials and their relatives from 2004 through at least 2008.   The foreign officials selected the entities with which Weatherford Services would partner, and Weatherford Services and Weatherford International employees knew that the members of the local entities included foreign officials’ relatives and associates.   Notwithstanding the fact that the local entities did not contribute capital, expertise or labor to the joint venture, neither Weatherford Services nor Weatherford International investigated why the local entities were involved in the joint venture.   The sole purpose of those local entities, in fact, was to serve as conduits through which Weatherford Services funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments to the foreign officials controlling them.   In exchange for the payments they received from Weatherford Services through the joint venture, the foreign officials awarded the joint venture lucrative contracts, gave Weatherford Services inside information about competitors’ pricing, and took contracts away from Weatherford Services’ competitors and awarded them to the joint venture.

Additionally, Weatherford Services employees in Africa bribed a foreign official so that he would approve the renewal of an oil services contract, according to court documents.   Weatherford Services funneled bribery payments to the foreign official through a freight forwarding agent it retained via a consultancy agreement in July 2006.   Weatherford Services generated sham purchase orders for consulting services the freight forwarding agent never performed, and the freight forwarding agent, in turn, generated sham invoices for those same nonexistent services.   When paid for those invoices, the freight forwarding agent passed at least some of those monies on to the foreign official with the authority to approve Weatherford Services’ contract renewal.   In exchange for these payments, the foreign official awarded the renewal contract to Weatherford Services in 2006.

Further, according to court documents, in a third scheme in the Middle East, from 2005 through 2011, employees of Weatherford Oil Tools Middle East Limited (WOTME), another Weatherford International subsidiary, awarded improper “volume discounts” to a distributor who supplied Weatherford International products to a government-owned national oil company, believing that those discounts were being used to create a slush fund with which to make bribe payments to decision-makers at the national oil company.   Between 2005 and 2011, WOTME paid approximately $15 million in volume discounts to the distributor.  

Weatherford International’s failure to implement effective internal accounting controls also permitted corrupt conduct relating to the United Nations’ Oil for Food Program to occur, according to court documents.   Between in or about February 2002 and in or about July 2002, WOTME paid approximately $1,470,128 in kickbacks to the government of Iraq on nine contracts with Iraq’s Ministry of Oil, as well as other ministries, to provide oil drilling and refining equipment.   WOTME falsely recorded these kickbacks as other, seemingly legitimate, types of costs and fees.   Further, WOTME concealed the kickbacks from the U.N. by inflating contract prices by 10 percent.

According to court documents, these corrupt transactions in Africa and the Middle East earned Weatherford International profits of $54,486,410, which were included in the consolidated financial statements that Weatherford International filed with the SEC .

In addition to the guilty plea by Weatherford Services, the deferred prosecution agreement entered into by Weatherford International and the Department requires the company to cooperate with law enforcement, retain an independent corporate compliance monitor for at least 18 months, and continue to implement an enhanced compliance program and internal controls designed to prevent and detect future FCPA violations.   The agreement acknowledges Weatherford International’s cooperation in this matter, including conducting a thorough internal investigation into bribery and related misconduct, and its extensive remediation and compliance improvement efforts.

Export Control Violations

According to court documents filed today in a separate matter, between 1998 and 2007, Weatherford International and some its subsidiaries engaged in conduct that violated various U.S. export control and sanctions laws by exporting or re-exporting oil and gas drilling equipment to, and conducting Weatherford business operations in, sanctioned countries without the required U.S. Government authorization.   In addition to the involvement of employees of several Weatherford International subsidiaries, some Weatherford International executives, managers, or employees on multiple occasions participated in, directed, approved, and facilitated the transactions and the conduct of its various subsidiaries.

This conduct involved persons within the U.S.-based management structure of Weatherford International participating in conduct by Weatherford International foreign subsidiaries, and the unlicensed export or re-export of U.S.-origin goods to Cuba, Iran, Sudan, and Syria. Weatherford subsidiaries Precision Energy Services Colombia Ltd. (PESC) and Precision Energy Services Ltd. (PESL), both headquartered in Canada, conducted business in the country of Cuba.   Weatherford’s subsidiary Weatherford Oil Tools Middle East (WOTME), headquartered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), conducted business in the countries of Iran, Sudan, and Syria.   Weatherford’s subsidiary Weatherford Production Optimisation f/k/a eProduction Solutions U.K. Ltd. (eProd-U.K.), headquartered in the United Kingdom, conducted business in the country of Iran. Weatherford generated approximately $110 million in revenue from its illegal transactions in Cuba, Iran, Syria and Sudan.    

To resolve these charges, Weatherford and its subsidiaries will pay a total penalty of $100 million, with a $48 million monetary penalty paid pursuant to a deferred prosecution agreement, $2 million paid in criminal fines pursuant to the two guilty pleas, and a $50 million civil penalty paid pursuant to a Department of Commerce settlement agreement to resolve 174 violations charged by Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security.   Weatherford International and certain of its affiliates are also signing a $91 million settlement agreement with the Department of the Treasury to resolve their civil liability arising out of the same underlying course of conduct, which will be deemed satisfied by the payments above.

The FCPA case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and its team of special agents dedicated to the investigation of foreign bribery cases.   The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Jason Linder of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark McIntyre of the Southern District of Texas.  The case was previously investigated by Fraud Section Trial Attorneys Kathleen Hamann and Allan Medina, with assistance from the Criminal Division’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section.  The Justice Department also acknowledges and expresses its appreciation for the significant assistance provided by the SEC’s FCPA Unit.

The export case was investigated by the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement, and the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.   The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Mark McIntyre and was previously investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Vaden.

WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT ON HOBBY LOBBY SUPREME COURT CASE

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 
Statement by the Press Secretary Regarding Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

The health care law puts women and families in control of their health care by covering vital preventive care, like cancer screenings and birth control, free of charge.  Earlier this year, the Obama Administration asked the Supreme Court to consider a legal challenge to the health care law’s requirement that for-profit corporations include birth control coverage in insurance available to their employees.  We believe this requirement is lawful and essential to women’s health and are confident the Supreme Court will agree.

We do not comment on specifics of a case pending before the Court.  As a general matter, our policy is designed to ensure that health care decisions are made between a woman and her doctor.  The President believes that no one, including the government or for-profit corporations, should be able to dictate those decisions to women.  The Administration has already acted to ensure no church or similar religious institution will be forced to provide contraception coverage and has made a commonsense accommodation for non-profit religious organizations that object to contraception on religious grounds.  These steps protect both women’s health and religious beliefs, and seek to ensure that women and families--not their bosses or corporate CEOs--can make personal health decisions based on their needs and their budgets.

COMPANY PLEADS GUILTY TO ROLE IN AUTOMOTIVE PARTS PRICE FIXING CONSPIRACY

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. Agrees to Plead Guilty to Price Fixing on Automobile Parts Installed in U.S. Cars
Company Agrees to Pay $120 Million Criminal Fine

Osaka, Japan-based Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. has agreed to plead guilty and to pay a $120 million criminal fine for its role in two separate conspiracies to fix the prices of automotive components involving anti-vibration rubber and driveshaft parts installed in cars sold in the United States and elsewhere, the Department of Justice announced today.

According to a two-count felony charge filed today in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in Toledo, Toyo engaged in a conspiracy to allocate sales of, to rig bids for, and to fix the prices of automotive anti-vibration rubber parts it sold to Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Corp., Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. – more commonly known by its brand name, Subaru – and certain of their subsidiaries, affiliates and suppliers, in the United States and elsewhere.  According to the charge, Toyo and its co-conspirators carried out the anti-vibration rubber parts conspiracy from as early as March 1996 until at least May 2012.

In addition, according to the charge, Toyo engaged in a separate conspiracy to allocate sales of, and to fix, raise and maintain the prices of automotive constant-velocity-joint boots it sold to U.S. subsidiaries of GKN plc, a British automotive parts supplier . According to the charge, Toyo and its co-conspirators carried out the constant-velocity-joint boots conspiracy from as early as January 2006 until as late as September 2010.

Toyo, which has subsidiaries based in Franklin, Ky., and White, Ga., has agreed to cooperate with the department’s ongoing investigation.  The plea agreement is subject to court approval.

“Today’s charge is the latest step in the Antitrust Division’s effort to hold automobile part suppliers accountable for their illegal and collusive conduct,” said Renata B. Hesse, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.  “The division continues to vigorously prosecute companies and individuals that seek to maximize their profits through illegal and anticompetitive means.”

Automotive anti-vibration rubber parts are comprised primarily of rubber and metal, and include engine mounts and suspension bushings.  They are installed in automobiles for the purpose of reducing road and engine vibration.  Automotive constant-velocity-joint boots are composed of rubber or plastic, and are used to cover the constant-velocity-joints of an automobile to protect the joints from contaminants.

The department said the company and its co-conspirators carried out the conspiracies through meetings and conversations, discussed and agreed upon bids, price quotations and price adjustments, and agreed to allocate among the companies certain sales of the anti-vibration rubber and constant-velocity-joint boots parts sold to automobile and component manufacturers.

Including Toyo, 22 companies and 26 executives have been charged in the Justice Department’s ongoing investigation into the automotive parts industry.  All 22 companies have either pleaded guilty or have agreed to plead guilty and have agreed to pay more than $1.8 billion in criminal fines.  Of the 26 executives, 20 have been sentenced to serve time in U.S. prisons or have entered into plea agreements calling for significant prison sentences.

Toyo is charged with price fixing in violation of the Sherman Act, which carries a maximum penalty of a $100 million criminal fine for corporations.  The maximum fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime, if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine.

U.S. EXPORT-IMPORT BANK APPROVES OVER $61 MILLION TO AID EXPORT OF WIND-TURBINE GENERATORS

FROM:  U.S. EXPORT-IMPORT BANK 
Ex-Im Bank Approves $61.1 Million for Export of U.S.-Made Wind-Turbine Generators to Costa Rica 

Washington, D.C. – The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has approved a $61.1 million direct loan to Inversiones Eolicas de Orosi Dos S.A. (Orosi), a subsidiary of the leading Central American wind-generation company Globeleq Mesoamerica Energy, for the purchase of wind-turbine generators manufactured by Gamesa in Fairless Hills, Pa.    

The authorization, which represents Ex-Im Bank’s first wind transaction in Costa Rica and fourth utility-scale wind project overall, will support approximately 200 U.S. jobs, according to bank estimates derived from Departments of Commerce and Labor data and methodology.

“We at Ex-Im Bank continue to support renewable-energy projects that improve our environment and showcase American innovation,” said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. “Our financing will help Gamesa expand their export of renewable energy technology and in the process support U.S. jobs throughout the wind industry.”

Gamesa’s wind-turbine generators are the chosen technology for the 50 megawatt Orosi wind-farm project located in the province of Guanacaste. Costa Rica is currently focusing on different renewable-energy projects.  

Founded in 1976, Gamesa has manufactured wind turbines since 1994. To date, Gamesa has installed and commissioned wind farms in 42 countries with a total capacity exceeding 27,000 megawatts.

“Ex-Im Bank has been at the vanguard of President Obama's national export initiative," said David Flitterman, chairman of Gamesa North America. "The bank has facilitated a number of export projects for Gamesa, including the Orosi project, and continues to work with us to create new opportunities for growth and expansion. With their competitive rates and expertise, Ex-Im Bank is opening up new markets and opportunities for U.S.-manufactured goods, and that's increasing investments at home and sustaining American jobs across the supply chain.”

DOD DEFENSE CONTRACTS FOR NOVEMBER 26, 2013

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
CONTRACTS
NAVY

Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $57,146,970 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0020) to exercise an option for MissionCareTM maintenance services in support of the V-22’s inventory of AE1107C engines. The services being performed will include O-level supply support, Repair of Repairable engine components and whole engines, field service representatives, low power repairs, program management, various site support and delivery of all Contract Data Requirements Lists.  Work will be performed in Oakland, Calif. (70 percent) and Indianapolis, Ind. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2015.  Fiscal 2013 aircraft procurement, Air Force; fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation, Navy; fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement, Navy; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy Reserve; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy overseas contingency operations; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Special Operations Command; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Air Force overseas contingency operations contract funds in the amount of $57,146,970 will be obligated on this award, $55,580,178 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

BAE Systems Electronics, Intelligence & Support/Electronic Solutions, Nashua, N.H., is being awarded a $28,167,428 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-13-C-0010) to exercise an option for the procurement of  procure 262 AN/ALE-55 fiber optic towed decoys (FOTDs) and 70 electronic frequency converters (EFC).  The AN/ALE-55 FOTDs and EFCs are components of the integrated defensive electronic counter measures suite.  The AN/ALE-55 provides the capability to transmit complex electronic countermeasures techniques from an off-board transmitter.  Work will be performed in Nashua, N.H. (80.6 percent); Mountain View, Calif. (12 percent); and Chelmsford Essex, United Kingdom (7.4 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2015.  Fiscal 2013 and 2014 aircraft procurement, Navy and fiscal 2014 procurement of ammunition, Marine Corps contract funds in the amount of $28,167,428, will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Atlantic NICC Joint Venture LLC*, Falls Church, Va., is being awarded a maximum amount $19,500,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity job order contract for construction, alteration and repair of industrial, commercial, and utility projects to government facilities at various Department of Defense activities within Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.  The maximum dollar value, including the base period and four option years, is $97,500,000.  No task orders are being issued at this time.  Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md. (31 percent), Dahlgren, Va. (30 percent), Indian Head, Md. (22 percent), and Annapolis, Md. (17 percent), with an expected completion date of November 2014.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy contract funds in the amount of $50,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was originally competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 20 proposals received.  This contract action is a re-award as a result of corrective action taken due to a Government Accountability Office protest.  The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-14-D-0352).

Atlantic NICC Joint Venture LLC*, Falls Church, Va., is being awarded maximum amount $19,500,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity job order contract for construction, alteration and repair of industrial, commercial, and utility projects to government facilities at various Department of Defense activities within Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.  The maximum dollar value, including the base period and four option years, is $97,500,000.  No task orders are being issued at this time.  Work will be performed in Naval Support Activity Washington, Washington, D.C. (30 percent), Regional Officer in Charge of Construction Quantico, Va. (27 percent), Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Md. (25 percent), and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. (18 percent), with an expected completion date of November 2014.  Fiscal 2014 operation and maintenance, Navy contract funds in the amount of $50,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was originally competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 21 offers received.  This contract action is a re-award as a result of corrective action taken due to a Government Accountability Office protest.  The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-14-D-0353).

BREMCOR Joint Venture, Arlington, Va., is being awarded an $18,922,837 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N62470-06-D-4611) to exercise option seven for base operation support services at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.  The work to be performed provides for base operation support services to include but not limited to:  port operations, base support vehicles and equipment, elevator maintenance, equipment maintenance, heating ventilation and air conditioning maintenance, environmental, pest control, janitorial services, transportation, fire alarms, and facility management.  Work also provides for service calls consisting of repairs of base facilities, transportation, janitorial, pest control, and fire alarm systems.  The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $129,287,881.  Work will be performed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and work is expected to be completed November 2014.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; fiscal 2014 Navy working capital funds; fiscal 2014 defense health fund; and fiscal 2014 Department of Defense schools contract funds in the amount of $7,099,162 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity.

Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded an $18,064,906 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-09-D-0008) for additional joint performance based logistics support for the Marine Corps (MV-22), Air Force, and Special Forces Operations Command (CV-22) aircraft.  Work will be performed in Amarillo, Texas (50 percent); and Philadelphia, Pa. (50 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2014.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Air Force; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Special Operations Command; fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement, Navy; fiscal 2013 aircraft procurement, Air Force; and fiscal 2013 Defense-wide procurement, Special Operations Command contract funds in the amount of $18,064,906 will be obligated at time of award, $14,658,487 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Motorola Solutions Inc., U.S. Federal Government Markets Division, Columbia, Md., is being awarded a $17,248,849 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N39430-13-C-1220) to exercise option period one for global sustainment of enterprise land and mobile radio systems at 53 military installations worldwide.  The work to be performed provides for preventive and corrective maintenance to sustain the enterprise land and mobile radio system and associated equipment and Information Assurance Vulnerability Alert compliance/patch management.  This includes fixed, mobile and portable units, dispatching equipment and all associated equipment currently deployed as part of Naval Facilities Engineering Command’s enterprise land and mobile radio systems worldwide.  Responsibility of troubleshooting, removal, and replacing of the equipment for these units is also included as part of this requirement.  The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $48,429,904.  Work will be performed at 53 military installations worldwide, and work is expected to be completed December 2014.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy contract funds in the amount of $17,248,849 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity.

US Information Technologies, Chantilly, Va., is being awarded a $12,952,659 modification under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00033-11-D-6505) with firm-fixed-price and/or firm-fixed-price level-of-effort task orders to exercise an option for support services for maintenance and development of Military Sealift Command’s Oracle based information systems.  Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., and is expected to be completed by December 2014.  Fiscal 2014 working capital contract funds in the amount of $12,952,659 are being obligated, and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00033-11-D-6505).

Insitu Inc., Bingen, Wash., is being awarded an $8,845,101 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0054) to exercise an option for the procurement of one Low Rate Initial Production II RQ-21A Blackjack Unmanned Aircraft System, to include air vehicles, ground control stations, launch and recovery equipment, and air vehicle support equipment.  Work will be performed in Bingen, Wash., and is expected to be completed in May 2014.  Fiscal 2013 procurement, Marine Corps contract funds in the amount of $8,845,101 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Ziehm Imaging Inc.*, Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a maximum $22,156,582 modification (P00008) exercising the third one-year option period on a one-year base contract (SPM2D1-11-D-8344) with seven one-year option periods for radiology systems, subsystems, and components.  This is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract.  Location of performance is Florida with a Nov. 29, 2014 performance completion date.  Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies.  Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2014 through fiscal year 2015 defense working capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.

AIR FORCE

Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC, Sterling, Va., has been awarded a $13,267,175 modification (P00023) to an existing firm-fixed-price contract (FA7022-11-C-0010) for radar operations and maintenance services.  This modification provides for the exercise of option year three for a period of performance from Jan. 1, 2014 through Dec. 31, 2014.  The contract modification will ensure the availability of the COBRA DANE's radar facility to collect 100 percent of the tasked data that passes through its field of view.  The necessary support shall be provided 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.  Work will performed at Eareckson Air Station, Shemya, Alaska, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2015.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds will be incrementally funded January 2014, in the amount of $3,688,845.  The 21st Contracting Squadron, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the contracting activity.

Ahntech Inc., San Diego Calif., has been awarded a $12,435,300 modification (P00008) to an existing firm-fixed-price contract (FA4890-13-C-0005) to continue to provide program support for Air Combat Command’s Primary Training Ranges Operations and Maintenance Services (PTR O&M), currently, but not limited to, PTR O&M support services.  The work under this program provides OM&S of range threat, scoring, and feedback systems.  The program also provides for target, road, grounds, and limited facility maintenance.  The contract modification is for the exercise of option year one services for the period of performance from Jan. 1, 2014 through Dec. 31, 2014.  Work will be performed at nine ACC Primary Training Ranges locations at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base , N.C., Shaw AFB, S.C., Moody AFB, Ga., Dyess AFB, Texas, Ellsworth AFB, S.D., Holloman AFB, N.M., Mountain Home AFB, Idaho and the Nevada Test and Training Range, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2014.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,246,780 are being obligated at time of award.  ACC AMIC/PKCB, Newport News, Va., is the contracting activity.

Odyssey Systems Consulting Group Ltd., Wakefield, Mass., was awarded an $8,456,784 modification (P00008) on an existing cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursable contract (FA8721-13-C-0022) for professional acquisition support services.  This contract modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional six months of professional acquisition support services under the basic contract.  Work will be performed at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., and is expected to be completed by April 17, 2014.  This modification provides professional acquisition support services in support of Space C2 Surveillance Division and the Theater Battle Control Division of classified foreign military sales.  FMS support account for approximately 14 percent of the stated modification.  Fiscal 2013 operations and maintenance, research and development, procurement and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $65,000 were obligated at time of award.  Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Enterprise Acquisition Division/PZM is the contracting activity.   (Awarded Sept. 3, 2013)

Bering Sea Environmental LLC, Anchorage Alaska, will be awarded a $6,762,241 modification (P00039) to an existing firm-fixed-price contract (FA4890-11-C-0004) to continue to provide program support for Air Combat Command’s (ACC), Air Combat Training System Operations and Maintenance Support Services (ACTS O&M), currently, but not limited to, ACTS O&M support services.  The work under ACTS includes all maintenance and repairs on ACTS pods and debriefing stations, transports and loading of pods onto the aircrafts and preparing data cartridges both before and after missions.  The contract modification is for the exercise of option year three services for the period of performance from Jan. 1, 2014 through Dec. 31, 2014.  Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Langley AFB, Va., Seymour Johnson, N.C., Shaw AFB, S.C., Barksdale AFB, La., Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, as well as outside of the continental United States funded sites at Lakenheath Air Base, United Kingdom, Spangdahlem AB, Germany, and Aviano AB, Italy, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2014.  This contract includes unclassified foreign military sales (1.8 percent ) for the Royal Singapore Air Force.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,144,627 are being obligated at time of award.  ACC AMIC/PKCB, Newport News, Va., is the contracting activity.

*Small Business

FDIC REPORTS INCOME DECLINE IN 3RD QUARTER FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL BANKS, SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS

FROM:  FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION 

Commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) reported aggregate net income of $36.0 billion in the third quarter of 2013, a $1.5 billion (3.9 percent) decline from the $37.5 billion in profits that the industry reported a year earlier. This is the first time in 17 quarters — since the second quarter of 2009 — that earnings registered a year-over-year decline. The earnings decline was mainly attributable to a $4 billion increase in litigation expenses at one institution. Lower revenue from reduced mortgage activity and lower gains on asset sales also contributed to the reduction in earnings. Half of the 6,891 insured institutions reporting had year-over-year growth in earnings, while half reported declines. The proportion of banks that were unprofitable fell to 8.6 percent, from 10.7 percent a year earlier. The FDIC also noted that industry earnings for the second quarter of 2013 had been revised downward, from $42.2 billion to $38.1 billion, as a result of expenses for goodwill impairment at two banks in the same organization.

"Most of the positive trends we have been seeing in industry performance continued in the third quarter," noted FDIC Chairman Martin J. Gruenberg. "Fewer institutions reported quarterly losses, lending grew at a modest pace, credit quality continued to improve, more banks came off the 'Problem List,' and fewer banks failed."

The average return on assets (ROA), a basic yardstick of profitability, fell to 0.99 percent from 1.06 percent a year ago. The average return on equity (ROE) fell from 9.35 percent to 8.92 percent.

Third quarter net operating revenue (net interest income plus total noninterest income) totaled $163.3 billion, a decline of $6.1 billion (3.6 percent) from a year earlier, as noninterest income fell by $4.7 billion (7.4 percent) and net interest income declined by $1.3 billion (1.3 percent). The average net interest margin — the difference between the average yield banks earn on loans and other investments and the average cost of funding those investments — was 3.26 percent, unchanged from second quarter, but down from 3.42 percent a year ago. The average margin is at its lowest level since the 3.20 percent reported in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Total noninterest expenses were $2.0 billion (1.9 percent) higher than in the third quarter of 2012, as litigation expenses rose by $4 billion at one large institution. Banks set aside $5.8 billion in provisions for loan losses, a reduction of $8.8 billion (60.4 percent) compared to a year earlier. This is the lowest quarterly loss provision reported by the industry since the third quarter of 1999.

Asset quality indicators continued to improve as insured banks and thrifts charged off $11.7 billion in uncollectible loans during the quarter, down $10.5 billion (47.4 percent) from a year earlier. The amount of noncurrent loans and leases (those 90 days or more past due or in nonaccrual status) fell by $18.3 billion (7.7 percent) during the quarter, and the percentage of loans and leases that were noncurrent declined to 2.83 percent, the lowest level in 5 years (since the 2.35 percent posted at the end of the third quarter of 2008).

Financial results for the third quarter of 2013 are contained in the FDIC's latest Quarterly Banking Profile, which was released today. Also among the findings:

Total loan balances rose. Loan balances increased by $69.7 billion (0.9 percent) in the three months ending September 30, as all major loan categories except 1-4 family residential real estate loans experienced growth during the quarter. Auto loan balances increased by $10.6 billion (3.2 percent), multifamily residential real estate loans rose by $8.1 billion (3.3 percent), loans to states and municipalities increased by $7.5 billion (7.3 percent), and credit card balances rose by $6.8 billion (1.0 percent). Home equity lines of credit fell by $10.9 billion (2.1 percent), while other 1-4 family residential real estate loans declined by $13.7 billion (0.7 percent). For the 12 months through September 30, total loan and lease balances were up by $224.0 billion (3.0 percent).

Higher interest rates caused a sharp drop in mortgage activity. Originations of 1-4 family residential real estate loans were $136.8 billion (30.1 percent) lower than in the second quarter, as interest rate increases in the second quarter reduced the demand for mortgage refinancings. Noninterest income from the sale, securitization and servicing of mortgages was $4.0 billion (45.2 percent) lower than a year ago. Realized gains on available-for-sale securities also were lower than a year ago, as higher medium- and long-term interest rates reduced the market values of fixed-rate securities. Banks reported $540 million in pretax income from realized gains, a decline of $2.2 billion (80.1 percent) from a year ago.

The number of "problem banks" continued to decline. The number of banks on the FDIC's "Problem List" declined from 553 to 515 during the quarter. The number of "problem" banks is down more than 40 percent from the recent high of 888 at the end of the first quarter of 2011. Six FDIC-insured institutions failed in the third quarter of 2013, down from 12 in the third quarter of 2012. Thus far in 2013, there have been 23 failures, compared to 50 during the same period in 2012.

The Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) balance continued to increase. The DIF balance — the net worth of the fund — rose to $40.8 billion as of September 30 from $37.9 billion as of June 30. Assessment income and a reduction in estimated losses from anticipated failures were the primary contributors to growth in the fund balance. Estimated insured deposits were essentially unchanged from the previous quarter, increasing by only 0.1 percent, and the DIF reserve ratio — the fund's balance as a percentage of estimated insured deposits — rose from 0.64 percent as of June 30 to 0.68 percent as of September 30. By law, the DIF must achieve a minimum reserve ratio of 1.35 percent by 2020.

NASA TRACKS TROPICAL CYCLONE LEHAR

FROM:  NASA 

Right:  NASA Satellite Tracks Tropical Cyclone Lehar Moving Toward India
On November 25, 2013 at 04:25 UTC/Nov. 24 11:25 p.m. EST, NASA's Terra took a picture of the tropical cyclone as the eastern side of the storm covered the island.  Image Credit: NASA Goddard MODIS. 

Tropical cyclone Lehar, located in the Bay of Bengal, continues to gain intensity while heading toward the same area of India where a much weaker tropical cyclone Helen recently came ashore. NASA's TRMM satellite passed over Lehar and measured rainfall and cloud heights to give scientists an understanding of how the storm is behaving.

NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite called TRMM flew above tropical cyclone Lehar on November 26, 2013 at 0307 UTC/Nov. 25 at 10:07 p.m. EST and captured rainfall data. Rainfall rates occurring in the storm were derived from TRMM's Microwave Imager (TMI) and Precipitation Radar (PR) instruments. That data was taken and overlaid on an enhanced visible/infrared image from TRMM's Visible and InfraRed Scanner (VIRS) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. to create a total picture of rainfall within the tropical cyclone. The TRMM instruments found that rain was falling at a rate greater than 64 mm/~2.5 inches per hour in Lehar's center and in a band of intense rain wrapping around Lehar's northwestern side. Some strong thunderstorms within Lehar were reaching heights above 15.25 km/~9.5 miles.

Warnings are already in effect in India. Northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha are expected to feel Lehar's effects on Wednesday, November 27, when winds are expected to reach up to 91.7 knots/105.6 mph/170 kph.

At 1500 UTC/10 a.m. EST on November 26, Tropical Cyclone Lehar's maximum sustained winds were near 75 knots/86.1 mph/138.9 kph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 100 nautical miles/115.1 miles/185.2 km from the center of the storm or 200 miles/230.2 miles/370.5 km in diameter. Lehar's center was located about 471 nautical miles southeast of Visakhapatnam, India, near 12.9 north and 88.6 east. Lehar was moving to the west-northwest at 9 knots/10.3 mph/16.6 km.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JTWC predicts that Lehar's sustained wind speeds will reach 95 knots/~109 mph on November 27, 2013 and then decrease to about 85 knots/~98 mph before hitting India's east-central coast.
Text credit:  Harold F. Pierce

SSAI/NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

The Andaman Islands received an unwelcome visitor on November 25 in the form of Tropical Cyclone Lehar. NASA's Terra satellite captured a picture of the visitor as it was making its exit from the islands and into the Bay of Bengal.
Tropical Depression 05B formed off the west coast of the Malay Peninsula on November 23 and strengthened into Tropical Cyclone Lehar as it moved from the Andaman Sea over the Andaman Islands and is now working its way into the Bay of Bengal and toward India. The Andaman Islands are located in the eastern Bay of Bengal. Burma lies north and east of the island group and India lies to the west.
Tropical Cyclone Lehar was over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at the time NASA's Terra satellite flew overhead and captured a visible image of the storm. On November 25, 2013 at 04:25 UTC/Nov. 24 11:25 p.m. EST, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard Terra took a picture of the tropical cyclone as the eastern side of the storm covered the island. Most of Cyclone Lehar was west of the island in the Bay of Bengal, although the northeastern edge of the storm extended over west-central Burma, bringing clouds to Yangon, capital city of the Yangon region. By November 26, Lehar was bringing rainfall and gusty winds to the region.
At 1500 UTC/10 a.m. EST on November 25, Tropical Cyclone Lehar had maximum sustained winds near 65 knots/74.8 mph/120.4 kph, achieving hurricane-force. It was centered near 12.6 north and 90.6 east, about 550 nautical miles/633 miles/1,019 km southeast of Visakhapatnam, India. Lehar is moving away from Burma and toward the west-northwest at 7 knots/8 mph/12.9 kph. Lehar is generating 20-foot/6.0 meter high seas

Forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center expect that warm water temperatures and low wind shear will assist Lehar in intensifying as it moves in a west-northwesterly direction across the Bay of Bengal. Forecasters expect maximum sustained winds to peak near 100 knots/115.1 mph/185.2 kph before making landfall in eastern India.

As a result warnings are already in effect for India. Lehar's winds area expected to affect Northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha by Wednesday, November 27.

SEC ANNOUNCES COURT ORDER AGAINST INDIVIDUAL AND COMPANY TO PAY OVER $9.8 MILLION

FROM:  U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Court Orders Massachusetts-Based Viking Financial Group, Inc. and Steven Palladino to Pay Over $9.8 Million

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that, on November 18, 2013, a Massachusetts federal court entered orders against Steven Palladino of West Roxbury, Massachusetts and his Massachusetts-based company, Viking Financial Group, Inc. requiring them to pay more than $9.8 million in disgorgement of ill-gotten gains and prejudgment interest and permanently enjoining them from future violations of the antifraud provisions of the securities laws. The Court also ordered that an asset freeze imposed in April 2013 remain in effect.

The Commission initially filed this action on April 30, 2013, as an emergency enforcement action against the Defendants seeking a temporary restraining order, asset freeze and other emergency relief, which the Court granted. In its Complaint, the Commission alleged that, since April 2011, Palladino and Viking falsely promised at least 33 investors that their money would be used to conduct the business of Viking - which was purportedly to make to short-term, high interest loans to those unable to obtain traditional financing. The Commission also alleged that the Defendants misrepresented to investors that the loans made by Viking would be secured by first interest liens on non-primary residence properties and that investors would be paid back their principal, plus monthly interest at rates generally ranging from 7-15%, from payments made by borrowers on the loans. The Complaint alleges that, in truth, the Defendants made very few real loans to borrowers, and instead used investors' funds largely to make payments to earlier investors and to pay for the Palladino family's substantial personal expenses, including cash withdrawals and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on gambling excursions, vacations, luxury vehicles and tuition.

After the parties had an opportunity to brief the issues, on July 15, 2013, the Court held that the Commission had established that the Defendants' conduct violated the antifraud provisions of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder and Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933. The orders of disgorgement and injunction against the Defendants were entered by the Honorable Douglas P. Woodlock of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The Court has delayed a determination as to civil penalties until a later date. The Commission acknowledges the assistance of Suffolk County (Massachusetts) District Attorney Daniel F. Conley's Office, which filed related criminal charges against Palladino and Viking in March 2013.

RECENT U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTOS FROM TACLOBAN, PHILIPPINES

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
A sign displays thanks to all agencies involved in relief and recovery efforts in Tacloban, Philippines, Nov. 23, 2013. U.S. troops, multiple government agencies, international aid groups and militaries assisted in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to affected areas throughout the island nation following Typhoon Haiyan. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Antoine Robinson.

A van is abandoned in the middle of a swamp outside of Tacloban, Philippines, Nov. 23, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Antoine Robinson.

TROUBLE FOR FINANCIER AND FIRMS FOR SELLING BILLIONS OF UNREGISTERED SHARES OF STOCK

FROM:  U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged a New York-based penny stock financier and his firms with violating the federal securities laws when they purchased billions of shares in a pair of microcap companies and failed to register them before they were re-sold to investors for sizeable profits.

Curt Kramer and his firms Mazuma Corporation, Mazuma Funding Corporation, and Mazuma Holding Corporation agreed to disgorge those profits in paying a total of $1.4 million to settle the SEC’s charges.

An SEC investigation found that Kramer and his firms obtained unregistered shares in penny stock issuers Laidlaw Energy Group and Bederra Corporation.  For the Laidlaw transactions, they claimed to rely on an exemption in Rule 504 of Regulation D that permits certain companies to offer and sell up to $1 million in unregistered shares.  However, the Mazuma firms’ purchases of Laidlaw shares exceeded Rule 504’s $1 million limit, so the shares were restricted and not exempt from the registration requirements of the securities laws when they were re-sold.  Mazuma Holding Corporation’s acquisition and sale of more than one billion unregistered shares of Bederra that had been misappropriated from the issuer by its transfer agent also were not exempt from registration.

“Unless there is a valid exemption, shares can’t be sold publicly without a registration statement that provides investors with the level of detail they deserve about the investment opportunity being offered,” said Michael Paley, co-chair of the SEC Enforcement Division’s Microcap Fraud Task Force that was created earlier this year to target abusive trading and fraudulent conduct in securities issued by microcap companies that often don’t regularly report their financial results publicly.

“Billions of shares were not vetted through the registration process yet became publicly traded as a result of the violations by Kramer and his Mazuma firms, and the SEC will continue to punish non-compliance with the registration provisions of the securities laws to ensure the investing public is protected in these types of transactions,” Mr. Paley added.

According to the SEC’s order instituting settled administrative proceedings, Kramer and his firms purchased two billion Laidlaw shares, which amounted to 80 percent of Laidlaw’s outstanding shares at the time.  They purchased these shares at a significant discount from prevailing market prices, making it highly likely they could immediately re-sell them publicly for a short-term profit.  Kramer and his firms purchased the shares in 35 tranches with no six-month gaps, thus quantifying the transactions as a single, integrated offering through which Laidlaw exceeded the $1 million limit under Rule 504 by raising a total of $1,259,550.  No registration statement was filed for any shares that Laidlaw offered and sold to Kramer and his firms, nor was any registration statement filed for any shares that Kramer and his firms subsequently re-sold into the public market.  Despite exceeding the $1 million limit, Kramer and his firms continued to acquire and sell additional Laidlaw shares and profited by $126,963 from these transactions.

According to the SEC’s order, Kramer and Mazuma Holding Corporation acquired more than one billion shares of Bederra in 2009 and 2010 through 21 separate transactions from the principal of Bederra’s transfer agent, who had misappropriated the Bederra share certificates.  Again they purchased the shares at a significant discount from prevailing market prices.  Kramer and Mazuma Holding Corporation re-sold the misappropriated Bederra shares to the public without any registration statement for a profit of $934,404.

In the settlement, Kramer and his Great Neck, N.Y.-based Mazuma firms agreed to pay disgorgement totaling $1,061,367 plus prejudgment interest of $128,611 and penalties totaling $273,000.  Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, Kramer and Mazuma consented to the entry of an order finding that they violated Sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Securities Act of 1933.  The order requires them to cease and desist from committing violations of Sections 5(a) and 5(c) and not participate in any Rule 504 offerings.  Entry of the order will constitute a disqualifying event for Kramer and the Mazuma firms under the recently-enacted bad actor disqualification provisions of Rule 506.

The SEC’s investigation was conducted by staff in the New York and Denver offices, including Ian Karpel, Kim Greer, Haimavathi Marlier, Laura Yeu, Christopher Ferrante, and Elzbieta Wraga with assistance from examiners Terrence Bohan and Denis Koval.

SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY'S STATEMENT ON MALI LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 
Mali Legislative Elections
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
November 25, 2013

Mali has taken an important step forward by holding the first round of legislative elections. These elections speak volumes about the resilience of Mali’s democratic tradition and the progress it has made over the past two years.

The United States applauds the Government of Mali for the technical improvements to the voting process it has implemented since the presidential elections in July and August.

We call on Mali’s new government to build on these efforts in preparing for an anticipated second round of legislative elections on December 15, and we encourage the Malian people’s peaceful and active participation in those polls.

This is one step in the process of restoring Mali’s representative and tolerant political order. Mali’s new government must address the country’s most pressing challenges, including national reconciliation and security sector reform to ensure strong security institutions under civilian control and oversight.

The United States stands with the Malian people, President Keita, and the new legislature as they tackle these challenges.

FORMER HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER PLEADS GUILTY TO MAKING RACIALLY MOTIVATED THREATS

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 
Friday, November 22, 2013

Jonathan Caine, 20, of Nashville, Tenn., pleaded guilty today to a federal hate crime for making racially motivated threats to an African-American assistant football coach at a local high school in, the Justice Department announced.

Caine, formerly a student and football player at the high school where the victim works as a coach, pleaded guilty to threatening the victim with violence because of the victim’s race and employment before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Bryant in federal court in Nashville, Tenn.

According to the information presented in court, Caine made repeated anonymous threats to the assistant coach, and others in the high school administration, which included racial slurs and references to violent acts.  In court, Caine admitted that on Aug. 10, 2012, he left an anonymous threatening voice mail on the assistant coach’s cellular phone, saying, “And thus sayeth the Lord all [epithet] shall be killed.  Amen, amen I say to you [unintelligible] as the Lord Christ says if a [epithet] shall be born unto thee, the [epithet] shall be killed.”  Caine admitted that he targeted the coach because of the coach’s race.  Prior to law enforcement identifying Caine as the caller, the team took security measures to protect the coach.

“The Department of Justice will not hesitate to prosecute such acts of hate-motivated intimidation,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the Civil Rights Division.  “Hate crimes have no place in our society; not only did this former student and player threaten his coach’s safety, he violated the victim’s civil rights by using racist, discriminatory language.  The Civil Rights Division will remain vigilant in our efforts to bring these individuals to justice.”

“When individuals choose to act out their hatred by making threats based on a person’s race, they can expect to face prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney David Rivera for the Middle District of Tennessee.  “Every arm of the Justice Department is committed to protecting the civil rights of all individuals and insuring they remain free from acts of violence and intimidation when those acts are based on the color of their skin.”

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 24, 2014.  Caine faces a statutory maximum penalty of a 12-month sentence in prison and a $100,000 fine.

JUSTICE DEPT. ALLEGES MINNESOTA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION DISCRIMINATED AGAINST FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 
Monday, November 25, 2013
Justice Department Charges Minn. Condominium Association, Management Company and Property Manager with Discrimination Against Families with Children

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against the homeowner’s association, management company and property manager of a Minnetonka, Minn., condominium complex, alleging that they discriminated against families with children in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

“Families with children should have the same ability to enjoy their homes as all other tenants,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the department’s Civil Rights Division.  “The department is committed to enforcing the Fair Housing Act and ensuring that housing providers do not enact policies that discriminate against tenants or deprive tenants of certain amenities due to their familial status.”

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, involves the Condominiums of Greenbrier Village, a six-building complex that contains approximately 462 condominium units.  The lawsuit alleges that the Greenbrier Village homeowners association, property management company Gassen Company Inc. and Gassen employee Diane Brown adopted and enforced policies that discriminatorily limited or prohibited children from playing in the complex’s common grounds.

This lawsuit arose as a result of a complaint filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by one family with children who lives at Greenbrier Village.  After HUD investigated the complaint, it issued a charge of discrimination and the matter was referred to the department.

“Housing providers cannot impose more restrictive policies on families with children or evict them simply because their children leave the unit,” said HUD Acting Assistant Secretary Bryan Greene for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.  “HUD and DOJ are committed to enforcing the fair housing rights of all people, including families with children.”

The lawsuit seeks a court order prohibiting future discrimination by the defendants, monetary damages for those harmed by the defendants’ actions and a civil penalty.

“Each person is entitled to fair treatment under the law, a foundation for all thriving communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John R. Marti of the District of Minnesota.  “Unfortunately, families with children may be confronted with discrimination in housing.  The Department of Justice and the United States Attorney’s Office will intervene to obtain fair treatment for all Minnesotans.”
         
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability.  Individ uals who believe they may have been victims of housing discrimination may contact the department at 1-800-896-7743 or by e-mail at fairhousing@usdoj.gov , or contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or through www.hud.gov/fairhousing .

The complaint is an allegation of unlawful conduct.   The allegations still must be proven in federal court.

SECRETARY KERRY'S REMARKS REGARDING GENEVA CONFERENCE ON SYRIA

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 
Geneva Conference on Syria
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
November 25, 2013

I thank Joint Special Representative Brahimi for his efforts to bring the regime, the opposition, and the international community together for this important meeting at an important time.

We have long underscored that there is no military solution to the violence in Syria that has taken more than 100,000 lives and displaced millions. The conference on January 22 is the best opportunity to implement the Geneva Communiqué and form a new transitional governing body through mutual consent—an important step toward ending the suffering of the Syrian people and the destabilizing impact of this conflict on the region.

This horrific conflict began as a peaceful protest by Syrians who aspire to live in a country where freedom, dignity, and equal treatment under the law are protected. Now, in order to end the bloodshed and give the Syrian people a chance to meet their long-deferred aspirations, Syria needs new leadership.

We are well aware that the obstacles on the road to a political solution are many, and we will enter the Geneva conference on Syria with our eyes wide open. No one should underestimate the difficulties ahead. In the coming weeks, the regime and the opposition will need to form their delegations, and we will continue to work in concert with the UN and our partners on remaining issues, including which countries will be invited to attend and what the agenda will be to advance the Geneva Communiqué framework for political transition.

To contain the growing threat from extremism and foreign fighters within Syria, and to ensure respect for Syria’s territorial sovereignty, we cannot delay the work of establishing a transitional government. Since foreign states have considerable influence on the factions waging war within Syria, they too have an important role to play. While it is ultimately up to the Syrian people to form a new government and bring an end to the conflict, the United States and our partners can help get them there.

The thousands of men, women, and children suffering in Syria today cannot wait for us to meet in Geneva for their cries to be heard. The Assad regime must stop using starvation as a weapon of war and immediately begin providing greater humanitarian access to besieged communities. The international community must be proactive and diligent in drawing greater attention to this issue and putting the necessary pressure in place to change behavior on the ground.

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S REMARKS ON IMMIGRATION REFORM IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE
Remarks by the President on Immigration Reform -- San Francisco, CA

Betty Ong Chinese Recreation Center
San Francisco, California

11:55 A.M. PST

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody!  (Applause.)  Well, hello, San Francisco!  (Applause.)  It is great to be back in California.  It is great to be with all of you.  I love San Francisco.  (Applause.)  You got great food.  You got great people, beautiful scenery -- no more super villains because Batkid cleaned up the streets.  (Applause.)  Love Batkid.  (Laughter.)  

I want to start by thanking Geetha for the wonderful  introduction and the great work that she’s doing.  Give her a big round of applause.  (Applause.)  I want to thank your Mayor, Ed Lee.  (Applause.)  Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom.  (Applause.)  I want to recognize some wonderful members of Congress who are fighting every day for the people of California -- Mike Honda -- (applause) -- Eric Swalwell, Judy Chu.  They are all doing great work every single day.  (Applause.)

We have a special guest, Janet Napolitano, who is now overseeing the entire UC system and going to be doing a great job.  (Applause.)  We miss her back in Washington, but she is going to be outstanding leading the University of California.

Now, before I begin, I want to say a few words about the news from the weekend.  I'm here to talk about immigration reform, but I'm also here in my capacity as Commander-in-Chief, and this weekend, together with our allies and our partners, the United States reached an agreement with Iran -- (applause) -- on a first step towards resolving our concerns over its nuclear program.

Now, some of you may recall that when I first ran for President, I said it was time for a new era of American leadership in the world -- one that turned the page on a decade of war, and began a new era of our engagement with the world.  And as President and as Commander-in-Chief, I’ve done what I said.  We ended the war in Iraq; we brought our troops home.  Osama bin Laden met justice; the war in Afghanistan will end next year.

And as the strongest, most powerful nation on the face of the Earth, we’ve engaged in clear-eyed and principled diplomacy  -- even with our adversaries -- in order to begin to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons and to place the first real constraints in a decade on Iran’s nuclear program.  Because I firmly believe in what President Kennedy once said:  He said, “Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.”  I believe that.  And this diplomacy, backed by the unprecedented sanctions we brought on Iran, has brought us the progress that was achieved this weekend.

For the first time in a decade, we’ve halted the progress on Iran’s nuclear program.  Key parts of the program will be rolled back.  (Applause.)  International inspectors will have unprecedented access to Iran’s nuclear-related facilities.  So this will help Iran from building a nuclear weapon.  And over the coming months, we’re going to continue our diplomacy, with the goal of achieving a comprehensive solution that deals with the threat of Iran’s nuclear program once and for all.

And if Iran seizes this opportunity and chooses to join the global community, then we can begin to chip away at the mistrust that’s existed for many, many years between our two nations.

None of that is going to be easy.  Huge challenges remain.  But we cannot close the door on diplomacy.  And we cannot rule out peaceful solutions to the world’s problems.  We cannot commit ourselves to an endless cycle of conflict.  And tough talk and bluster may be the easy thing to do politically, but it’s not the right thing for our security.  It is not the right thing for our security.  (Applause.)

Now, this progress, and the potential it offers, reminds us of what is possible when the United States has the courage to lead -- not just with the force of arms, but with the strength of our diplomacy and our commitment to peace.  That’s what keeps us strong.  That’s what makes us a beacon to the world.  That’s how I’ll continue to lead so long as I’m President of the United States.

And that spirit -- not just what we can criticize or tear down or be against, but what we can build together -- that’s what brings me here today.  Because it’s long past time to fix our broken immigration system.  (Applause.)  We need to make sure Washington finishes what so many Americans just like you started. We’ve got to finish the job.

And it’s fitting that we’re here in Chinatown, just a few miles away from Angel Island.  In the early 1900s, about 300,000 people -- maybe some of your ancestors -- passed through on their way to a new life in America.  And for many, it represented the end of a long and arduous journey -- they’d finally arrived in a place where they believed anything was possible.

And for some, it also represented the beginning of a new struggle against prejudice in a country that didn’t always treat its immigrants fairly or afford them the same rights as everybody else.  Obviously, Asians faced this, but so did the Irish; so did Italians; so did Jews; and many groups still do today.

That didn’t stop those brave men and women from coming.  They were drawn by a belief in the power of opportunity; in a belief that says, maybe I never had a chance at a good education, but this is a place where my daughter can go to college.  Maybe I started out washing dishes, but this is a place where my son can become mayor of San Francisco.  (Applause.)  Maybe I have to make sacrifices today, but those sacrifices are worth it if it means a better life for my family.

And that’s a family story that will be shared by millions of Americans around the table on Thursday.  It’s the story that drew my great-great-great-great-grandfather from a small village in Ireland, and drew my father from a small village in Kenya.  It’s the story that drew so many of your ancestors here -- that America is a place where you can make it if you try.

And here’s something interesting:  Today, more than one in four residents born outside the United States came here from Asian countries -- many through our family immigration system.  They’re doctors and business owners, laborers, refugees.  This rec center’s namesake, Betty Ong, was a hero on 9/11.  (Applause.)  But she was also the daughter of immigrants who grew up not far from here.  And we’re honored to have her family with us here today.  (Applause.)

But too often when we talk about immigration, the debate focuses on our southern border.  The fact is we’re blessed with immigrants from all over the world who’ve put down roots in every corner of this country.  Here in San Francisco, 35 percent of business owners are immigrants -- and your economy is among the fastest growing in the country.  That’s not an accident.  That’s the impact that our talented, hardworking immigrants can have.  That’s the difference they can make.  They’re hungry and they’re striving and they’re working hard and they’re creating things that weren’t there before.

And that’s why it is long past time to reform an immigration system that right now doesn’t serve America as well as it should. We could be doing so much more to unleash our potential if we just fix this aspect of our system.

And I know out here in California that you watch the news and you share the country’s not very sunny view of Washington these days.  For the last few months, you’ve seen a lot of headlines about gridlock and partisan bickering, and too often one faction of one party in one house of Congress has chosen courses of action that ended up harming our businesses, or our economy, or our workers.  Or they want to refight old political battles rather than create jobs and grow the economy and strengthen the middle class, or take 40 more votes to undermine or repeal the Affordable Care Act -- (laughter) -- instead of passing a single serious jobs bill, despite the fact that Americans want us to focus on jobs and business and growth.  And, by the way, thousands of Californians are signing up every day for new health care plans all across this state.  (Applause.)

So even as we’re getting this darn website up to speed -- (laughter) -- and it's getting better -- states like California are proving the law works.  People want the financial security of health insurance.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Thanks to you!

THE PRESIDENT:  And even if you’re already insured, reach out to a friend or neighbor who’s not and help them get covered.

But when it comes to immigration reform, we have to have the confidence to believe we can get this done.  And we should get it done.  And, by the way, most Americans agree.  The only thing standing in our way right now is the unwillingness of certain Republicans in Congress to catch up with the rest of the country.
I met the other day with the CEOs of some of America's biggest companies.  And I'm positive not all of them voted for me.  (Laughter.)  I'm pretty sure.  (Laughter.)  Maybe some of them, but definitely not all of them.  But the thing they wanted to talk about, their top priority was the fact that we invite the brightest minds from around the world to study here -- many of them enrolled in the University of California system -- and then we don't invite them to stay.  We end up sending them home to create new jobs and start new businesses someplace else.  So we're training our own competition, rather than invite those incredibly talented young people, like Geetha, to stay here and start businesses and create jobs here.

I hear from folks who’ve been separated from their families for years because of green card backlogs who desperately want their loved ones to be able to join them here in America.  I hear from young DREAMers who are Americans through and through in every way but on paper, and they just want a chance to study and serve and contribute to the nation that they love.  (Applause.)

I talk to business owners who play by the rules, but get frustrated because they end up being undercut by those who exploit workers in a shadow economy -- aren't getting paid overtime, aren't required to meet the same obligations.  And so those companies end up losing out on business.

Right now, I'm seeing brave advocates who have been fasting for two weeks in the shadow of the Capitol, sacrificing themselves in an effort to get Congress to act.  And I want to say to Eliseo Medina, my friend from SEIU, and the other fasters who are there as we speak, I want them to know we hear you.  We're with you.  The whole country hears you.

And there are plenty of leaders –- Democrat and Republican  –- who don’t think it’s fair that we’ve got 11 million people in this country, including more than a million from Asia, with no real way to come forward and get on the right side of the law.  It’s not smart.  It’s not fair.  It doesn’t make sense.  And we have kicked this particular can down the road long enough.  Everybody knows it.

Now, the good news is we know what the solutions are.  There is bipartisan hope of getting it done.  This year, the Senate passed an immigration reform bill by a wide, bipartisan majority, and it addresses the key issues that need to be addressed.  It would strengthen our borders.  It would level the playing field by holding employers accountable if they knowingly hire undocumented workers.  It would modernize our legal immigration system so that we eliminate the backlog of family visas and make it easier to attract highly skilled entrepreneurs from beyond our borders.  It would make sure that everybody plays by the same rules by providing a pathway to earned citizenship for those who are living in the shadows –- a path that includes passing a background check, and learning English, and paying taxes and a penalty, and getting in line behind everyone trying to come here the right way.

And each of these pieces would go a long way towards fixing our broken immigration system.  Each of them has been supported by Democrats and Republicans in the past.  There’s no reason we can’t come together and get it done.

And what's more, we know the immigration reform that we're proposing would boost our economy and shrink our deficits.  Independent economists have said that if the Senate bill became law, over the next two decades, our economy would grow by $1.4 trillion more, and it would reduce our deficits by $850 billion more.

And you don’t have to be an economist to figure out that workers will be more productive if they’ve got their families here with them, they're not worried about deportation, they're not living halfway around the world.  This isn’t just the right thing to do -– it’s the smart thing to do.

Of course, just because something is smart, fair, good for the economy, and supported by business, labor, law enforcement and faith leaders -- (laughter) -- Democratic and Republican governors, including the Governor of this state –- just because all that is in place doesn’t mean we'll actually get it done, because this is Washington, after all, that we’re talking about and everything is looked through a political prism.  And, look, let's be honest, some folks automatically think, well, if Obama’s for it, then I've got to be against it even if I was, before that, I was for it.

But I want to remind everybody, to his great credit, my Republican predecessor, President Bush, was for reform.  He proposed reform like this almost a decade ago.  I was in the Senate.  I joined 23 Senate Republicans back then supporting reform.  It's worth remembering that the Senate bill that just passed won more than a dozen Republican votes this past summer.  And some of them even forget that I'm -- sometimes people forget I'm not running for office again.  Michelle doesn’t forget.   (Laughter and applause.)  So you don’t have to worry about this somehow being good for me.  This is good for the country.   It's the right thing to do for the American people.

And I believe, ultimately -- not always in the short term -- but ultimately, good policy is good politics.  Look at the polls right now, because the American people support immigration reform by a clear majority.  Everybody wins if we get this done.  So there's no reason we shouldn’t get immigration reform done right now.  None.  If there is a good reason I haven't heard it.

And, by the way, if there's a better plan out there than the one that Democrats and Republicans have already advanced together, if there are additional ideas that would make it even better, I’m always willing to listen to new ideas.  My door is always open.  But right now it’s up to Republicans in the House to decide if we can move forward as a country on this bill.  If they don’t want to see it happen, they’ve got to explain why.

The good news is, just this past week Speaker Boehner said that he is “hopeful we can make progress” on immigration reform. And that is good news.  I believe the Speaker is sincere.  I think he genuinely wants to get it done.  And that’s something we should be thankful for this week.  And I think there are a number of other House Republicans who also want to get this done.  Some of them are hesitant to do it in one big bill, like the Senate did.  That’s okay.  They can -- it’s Thanksgiving; we can carve that bird into multiple pieces.  (Laughter.)  A drumstick here -- (laughter) -- breast meat there.  But as long as all the pieces get done -- soon -- and we actually deliver on the core values we’ve been talking about for so long, I think everybody is fine with it.  They're not worried about the procedures.  They just want the result.

But it’s going to require some courage.  There are some members of the Republican caucus who think this is bad politics for them back home.  And they're free to vote their conscience, but what I’ve said to the Speaker and others is, don't let a minority of folks block something that the country desperately needs.  And we can’t leave this problem for another generation to solve.  If we don’t tackle this now, then we’re undercutting our own future.

So my message to Congress is rather than create problems, let’s prove Washington can get something done.  This is something that has broad-based support.  We’ve been working on it for a decade now.  This reform comes as close as we’ve gotten to something that will benefit everybody, now and for decades to come.  And it has the potential to enrich this country in ways that we can’t even imagine.

And I’ll just give you one example to wrap up.  Andrew Ly is here today.  Where’s Andrew?  He’s around here somewhere.  There he is.  Now, Andrew has got an amazing story.  Andrew grew up in Vietnam, and he and his four brothers tried three times to flee to the United States.  Obviously, the country was going through all kinds of difficulties.  So three times, they tried; three times, they failed.  On the fourth try, their boat –- filled with 140 refugees -- is that right, Andrew -– was attacked by pirates.

But the Lys and their family eventually made it to Malaysia, and then they eventually made it here to San Francisco.  And they learned English, and they worked as handymen, and they worked as seamstresses.  And eventually, Andrew and his brothers earned enough money to buy a small bakery.  And they started making donuts, and they started selling them to Chinese restaurants.  And with a lot of hard work and a little luck, the Sugar Bowl Bakery today is a $60 million business.  (Applause.)

So these humble and striving immigrants from Vietnam now employ more than 300 Americans.  They’re supplying pastries to Costco and Safeway, and almost every hotel and hospital in San Francisco.  And I don't know if Andrew brought me any samples, but -- (laughter) -- they must be pretty good.  (Laughter.)  

And Andrew says, “We came here as boat people, so we don’t take things for granted.  We know this is the best country in the world if you work hard.”  That’s what America is about.  This is the place where you can reach for something better if you work hard.  This is the country our parents and our grandparents and waves of immigrants before them built for us.  And it falls on each new generation to keep it that way.  The Statue of Liberty doesn’t have its back to the world.  The Statue of Liberty faces the world and raises its light to the world.

When Chinese immigrants came to this city in search of “Gold Mountain,” they weren’t looking just for physical riches.  They were looking for freedom and opportunity.  They knew that what makes us American is not a question of what we look like or what our names are -- because we look like the world.  You got a President named Obama.  (Laughter and applause.)  What makes us American is our shared belief in certain enduring principles, our allegiance to a set of ideals, to a creed, to the enduring promise of this country.

And our shared responsibility is to leave this country more generous, more hopeful than we found it.  And if we stay true to that history -- if we get immigration reform across the finish line -- and it is there just within our grasp, if we can just get folks in Washington to go ahead and do what needs to be done -- we’re going to grow our economy; we’re going to make our country more secure; we’ll strengthen our families; and most importantly, we will live --

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Mr. Obama --

THE PRESIDENT:  -- most importantly, we will live up --

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  -- my family has been separated for 19 months now --

THE PRESIDENT:  -- most importantly, we will live up to our character as a nation.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  I’ve not seen my family.  Our families are separated.  I need your help.  There are thousands of people --

THE PRESDIENT:  That’s exactly what we’re talking about.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  -- are torn apart every single day.

THE PRESIDENT:  That’s why we’re here.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Mr. President, please use your executive order to halt deportations for all 11.5 undocumented immigrants in this country right now.

THE PRESIDENT:  What we’re trying --

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Do you agree

AUDIENCE:  Obama!  Obama!  Obama!

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  -- that we need to pass comprehensive immigration reform at the same time we -- you have a power to stop deportation for all undocumented immigrants in this country.
THE PRESIDENT:  Actually I don’t.  And that’s why we’re here.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  So, please, I need your help.

THE PRESIDENT:  Okay --

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Stop deportations!

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Stop deportations!

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  All right.

AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  Stop deportations!  Stop deportations!

THE PRESIDENT:  What I’d like to do -- no, no, don’t worry about it, guys.  Okay, let me finish.

AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  Stop deportations!  Yes, we can!  Stop deportations!

THE PRESIDENT:  These guys don’t need to go.  Let me finish. No, no, no, he can stay there.  Hold on a second.  (Applause.)  Hold on a second.

So I respect the passion of these young people because they feel deeply about the concerns for their families.  Now, what you need to know, when I’m speaking as President of the United States and I come to this community, is that if, in fact, I could solve all these problems without passing laws in Congress, then I would do so.

But we’re also a nation of laws.  That’s part of our tradition.  And so the easy way out is to try to yell and pretend like I can do something by violating our laws.  And what I’m proposing is the harder path, which is to use our democratic processes to achieve the same goal that you want to achieve.  But it won’t be as easy as just shouting.  It requires us lobbying and getting it done.  (Applause.)

So for those of you who are committed to getting this done, I am going to march with you and fight with you every step of the way to make sure that we are welcoming every striving, hardworking immigrant who sees America the same way we do -- as a country where no matter who you are or what you look like or where you come from, you can make it if you try.

And if you’re serious about making that happen, then I’m ready to work with you.  (Applause.)  But it is going to require work.  It is not simply a matter of us just saying we’re going to violate the law.  That’s not our tradition.  The great thing about this country is we have this wonderful process of democracy, and sometimes it is messy, and sometimes it is hard, but ultimately, justice and truth win out.  That’s always been the case in this country; that’s going to continue to be the case today.  (Applause.)

Thank you very much, everybody.  God bless you.  God bless America.  (Applause.)

END