Archive for the ‘March 2011’ Category

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March 31, 2011 – Ottawa

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

Today is the Major League Baseball’s opening day. And is this a great country or what!! I just got my Fergie Jenkins Commemorative Stamps.

Fergie was born in Chatham, Ontario. When I was a kid growing up in Chicago, he was the star pitcher for my beloved Cubs.

His Hall of Fame career included 284 wins (20 or more in six straight seasons). He had 3192 career strikeouts. He was also a great hitter — for a pitcher. In his first game with the Cubs he hit a home run!!! My favorite Jenkins statistic is that he led the major leagues nine times in complete games. He had a total of 267 career complete games. To put that stat into perspective, Roy Halladay leads the majors among active pitchers with 58 complete games.

Fergie Jenkins Commemorative Stamp

Fergie and Greg Maddux shared the number 31. It was retired for both of them on the same day in 2009. It flies on the left field flag pole with Fergie’s name on it and on the right field flag pole with Maddux name on it.

It’s great to be the Ambassador to a country that honors a boyhood hero of mine. I’m waiting on the Ernie Banks stamp.

DJ

Posted in March 2011 |

March 28, 2011 – Ottawa

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

Last night we had a reception at the Residence for a group of about 30 cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point who were here in Canada to learn about the country and its military. They are particularly interested in government and we discussed the differences between our two systems.

Ambassador Jacobson Greets West Point Cadet During the Cadets' Visit to Canada

During their stay, Canada is really pulling out the stops and giving them in-depth briefings on how the U.S. and Canada work together on defense and security issues. The cadets will learn about U.S. – Canadian cooperation in Haiti, Afghanistan, and combating terrorism.

Then, they’ll get a chance to compare mess halls and even bunks with the cadets at the Royal Military College in Kingston. I can’t think of a better way to ensure the continued close cooperation between our two countries than by programs such as this.

Ambassador Jacobson and West Point Cadets at the residence

As I told them, there is no institution I have ever been more impressed with than the United States military. Seeing the quality of the next generation of leaders gives me great confidence that excellence will be maintained.

DJ

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March 27, 2011 — Chicago

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

I had a great day yesterday in my home town — Chicago. I came in to meet with Governor Quinn of Illinois and Premier Selinger of Manitoba. The Premier traveled to Chicago with a delegation of business leaders to complete a Memorandum of Understanding on Economic and Environmental Cooperation between the State of Illinois and the Province of Manitoba – long name for a great idea to increase collaboration and exchanges in trade, tourism, transportation, innovation economy, watershed management and stewardship, clean energy, and crime prevention.

At the signing ceremony we were joined by Israel Idonije the defensive star of the Chicago Bears. Izzy is from Brandon, Manitoba. His family came to Canada from Nigeria. His father is a minister. He starred at the University of Manitoba. As great a player as he is – and he’s great – he is a better person. I had heard raves from Premier Selinger and Ambassador Doer about Izzy. And meeting him confirmed everything I had heard. When he is not terrorizing Green Bay Packers, his foundation runs youth programs in Chicago and in Winnipeg. And he supports the efforts with his own funds. His gentle personality contrasts with his immense stature.

After the ceremony we went to the United Center for a Blackhawks game against the Anaheim Ducks. The good guys lost. But we had a great time nonetheless. We met with Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, team president John McDonough, and general manager Stan Bowman.

One highlight. During one of the intermissions, a 95 year old woman and her family came in to meet Rocky Wirtz. She has been a Blackhawks season ticket holder for 47 years. She was presented with a jersey with the number 95 on it. She was speechless. It was an example of why the Blackhawks have captured the hearts of Chicago sports fans. (The fact that they are the defending Stanley Cup Champions doesn’t hurt either.)

DJ

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March 22, 2011 – World Water Day

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011

By Guest Blogger Julie Jacobson

Happy World Water Day!  Today I joined the U.S. Embassy’s staff and friends on a six kilometer walk through Gatineau and Ottawa.

This distance represents the average journey that millions of women and children in the developing world travel every day to secure their basic water needs. 

Embassy Walkers for World Water Day 2011

Living in Ottawa, it’s easy to overlook the disparity in the distribution of world resources and to forget that billions of people don’t have access to basic sanitary facilities. So along with thousands of concerned people around the globe, we decided to remind ourselves, and to hopefully bring to the attention of others, that an unacceptable number of people in this world struggle just to find water for their daily use.

Here are a few disturbing facts I recently read:

  • More than half the poor of the developing world are sick at any given time from causes related to hygiene, sanitation and water supply.
  • Water-related diseases are the leading cause of death for children less than five years old.
  • Two and a half billion people lack access to improved sanitation, and over a billion have no facilities at all.

    • In recognition of World Water Day, I hope that everyone takes a minute to consider this problem and to come up with some way to help – whether it’s volunteering time, donating money, or even just writing to the decision makers to remind them of the issue and let them know you care about it. I believe that in this, even a little help goes a long way to improving the lives of billions around the world.

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    March 21, 2011 — Ottawa

    Monday, March 21st, 2011

    Canadian CF-18s have now joined the imposition of the coalition no-fly zone over Libya.  This is another example of what I have seen so much of since I have been here.  Canadian forces standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their friends and allies to defend the values we share and hold dear.

    On Saturday Julie and I were having dinner in Ottawa’s Byward Market.  We ran into a group of soldiers from the Canadian Forces.  They were young, impressive, and committed.  It reminded us that when we send troops into harm’s way we aren’t sending statistics.  We are sending people.

    I hope the colleagues of the soldiers we met on Saturday night — and all of the other coalition forces in Operation Odyssey Dawn — return safe and sound.  They deserve the thanks of our grateful nations.

    DJ

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    March 19, 2011 — Ottawa

    Monday, March 21st, 2011

    Yesterday I had the sad task of visiting the Japanese Embassy here in Ottawa to express my heartfelt condolences to the Japanese people on the double tragedies of the earthquake and the tsunami.

    The United States stands with our Japanese friends in their time of trial.  We are ready to lend our assistance in order to help Japan restore itself to its fullest potential.

    As the President explained late last week, to date, we’ve flown hundreds of missions to support the recovery efforts, and distributed thousands of pounds of food and water to the Japanese people.  We’ve also deployed some of our leading experts to help contain the damage at Japan’s nuclear reactors.  We’re sharing with them expertise, equipment, and technology so that the courageous responders on the scene have the benefit of American teamwork and support.

    The American people, like our friends here in Canada, have also opened up their hearts.  Many have given generously to support the ongoing relief efforts.  The Red Cross is providing assistance to help meet the immediate needs of those who’ve been displaced.  I would encourage anybody who wants to learn more about the U.S. effort to read President Obama’s remarks on how the U.S. is assisting.

    DJ

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    March 17, 2011 — St. Patrick’s Day

    Thursday, March 17th, 2011

    I sometimes miss my home town, Chicago. And St. Patrick’s Day is one of those days. My office in Chicago was in the Sears Tower on the 81st floor. I had a GREAT view of the Chicago River. Therefore, I had a great view when the city dyed the Chicago River green on St. Patrick’s Day.

    Chicago River, Saint Patrick's Day

    While I was working at the White House my loss was ameliorated when President Obama decided to bring a little bit of Chicago to the fountains of the White House Lawns:

    Saint Patrick's Day at the White House

    Even without a chance to see a green river or a green fountain, I want to wish all of you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Maybe I’ll drown my homesickness in some green beer.

    DJ

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    March 13, 2011: Ottawa

    Sunday, March 13th, 2011

    Government — particularly good government — can make a difference in our lives. And when two countries get together to deliver good government to their citizens the results can be particularly rewarding.

    Today marks the twentieth anniversary of the U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement (AQA). In 1991, Canada and the United States committed to reduce the impact of air pollution that crosses the border, and with the Acid Rain Annex of the Agreement we both committed to reducing acid-rain causing emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

    Over the past two decades there have been large reductions in emissions of these pollutants on both sides of the border, leading to significant improvements in the air we breathe and the water we drink. For example, as of 2010 Canada’s total SO2 emissions decreased by 54% from 1990 emission levels while the United States reduced total SO2 emissions by 67% from their 1990 levels.

    The images below illustrate the air quality improvement experienced by people in Ontario, Quebec, New York, New England and the upper Midwest (including my home state of Illinois) from 1990 to 2007.

    1990 Annual Wet Sulphate (SO2) Deposition

    1990 Annual Wet Sulphate (SO2) Deposition

    2007 Annual Wet Sulphate (SO2) Deposition

    2007 Annual Wet Sulphate (SO2) Deposition

    The success of the Acid Rain effort led to the introduction of the Ozone Annex in 2000 which committed both countries to reducing emissions of NOx and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the precursors to ground-level ozone, a key component of smog.

    In 2009 our two countries celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty which is the cornerstone of our stewardship of the ecologically diverse and economically critical water resources shared by our countries. Whether it’s water quality, air quality or protection of our transboundary ecosystems, we have to act as the best possible stewards of our shared environments — for the health and future of citizens in both countries.

    For air quality, the next step is to work toward an additional annex to the agreement focused on reducing Particulate Matter (PM) a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets that can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems. I’ll keep you posted!

    D.J.

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    March 11, 2011: Ottawa

    Friday, March 11th, 2011

    I am watching with shock and dismay – like everyone else – the pictures and video coming in from Japan of the devastation caused by this morning’s earthquake and tsunami. As President Obama said:

    “I’m heartbroken by this tragedy. I think when you see what’s happening in Japan you are reminded that for all our differences in culture or language or religion, that ultimately humanity is one. And when we face these kinds of natural disasters, whether it’s in New Zealand or Haiti or Japan, then you think about your own family and you think how would you feel if you lost a loved one, or if your entire life savings were gone because of the devastation….

    “But I am very confident, though, obviously, that the Japanese people are so resourceful, Japan is such a powerful economy and such an advanced economy technologically, that Japan will successfully rebuild. And it has experience dealing with natural disasters. It has dealt with them before and will deal with them again. And Japan, I’m sure, will come back stronger than ever — hopefully with our help.”

    I have expressed our sympathies to Ambassador Ishikawa of Japan as well as to former Ambassador Nishida who is now the Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations.

    Our hopes and our prayers go out to the Japanese people.

    DJ

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    March 8, 2011, the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day – Ottawa

    Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

    I’m reading David Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize winning history of the Roosevelt years, Freedom from Fear.  In it, much is said about the influence of Eleanor Roosevelt on her husband, on the country, and on the world.  On the roles she played as daughter, wife, mother, and First Lady.  Eleanor once said: “Justice cannot be for one side alone; it must be for both.” That seems a fitting sentiment for today, the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.

    While women have made extraordinary gains over the last 100 years – and particularly in the last generation — vast inequalities still persist.  Women bear the brunt of famine, poverty, disease and war.  The potential of women to contribute to economic growth and prosperity, social progress, peace, and good governance is still untapped in too many places.  Gender-based violence not only destroys the lives of individual girls and women, families, and communities, but robs the world of the talent it urgently needs.  If we are to build a more peaceful, prosperous, and just world, we cannot leave half the population behind.

    As Melanne Verveer, the United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, noted: “The U.S. is committed to the empowerment of women not just because it is the right thing to do, but also because it is the smart thing to do.  When women make progress, countries make progress.  A mountain of research shows that the education of a girl is the most effective development investment that can be made with enormous positive consequences for her future and her family’s future.”

    Today we celebrate the contributions of women. Everywhere they are making a difference. Many do so with great courage and often at great personal risk. They are changing the world for the better.  However, as Secretary Clinton said in her video message on our Embassy website, we must work to find ways to ensure that all women and girls have access to education, healthcare, jobs, and credit.  All women have the right to live free from violence.

    Hopefully it won’t take 100 more years to end the inequalities that still exist around the world.

    DJ

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