State of the Union 2013
"Together, we have cleared away the rubble of crisis, and we can say with renewed confidence that the State of our Union is stronger."
![U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird after their joint press conference at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., February 8, 2013. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130219014127im_/http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/news/kerry-baird.jpg "U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird after their joint press conference at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., February 8, 2013. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]")
Secretary Kerry Meets With Canadian Foreign Minister
In his first bilateral meeting as Secretary of State, Secretary Kerry met with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird.
Ceremonial Swearing-in for Secretary Kerry
"I am proud to take on this job because I want to work for peace and because the values and the ideals of our nation are really what represents the best of the possibilities of life here on Earth."
Discover America Project
U.S. Consulate General Toronto has launched a "Discover America" project promoting travel to major American cities. First up: Chicago.
Volunteering at the Ottawa Food Bank
More than 40 U.S. Embassy staff, including Ambassador Jacobson and his wife Julie, marked President Obama's National Day of Service on January 19th by volunteering at the Ottawa Food Bank.
Headlines
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18 February 2013: Holiday Closure Notice
The Embassy and its Consulates will be closed on Monday, February 18th for Presidents' Day. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, February 19th.
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13 February 2013: CBP Advises Travelers to Prepare For Busy Holiday Weekend
With the upcoming holiday weekend in the United States and in many parts of Canada, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) wants to remind the travelers of a few ways they can speed up entry into the United States.
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12 February 2013: Obama Offers Sweeping Second-Term Agenda
In his fifth State of the Union address, President Obama pledged to gradually withdraw 34,000 troops from Afghanistan over the next year, further reduce the U.S. nuclear arsenal, and launch a revamped immigration system.
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11 February 2013: Ambassador Haslach Speaks at U of T
State Department Ambassador Pat Haslach recently visited the University of Toronto to deliver remarks on the United States' role in addressing sexual violence in Libya and Syria.
News From Washington
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12 February 2013: Executive Order: Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity
President Obama today signed an Executive Order detailing how the United States will strengthen its critical infrastructure cybersecurity.
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11 February 2013: EPA Makes Public Comprehensive Information on Use of Chemicals in U.S.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released 2012 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) information, which details comprehensive use and exposure information on the most widely used chemicals in the United States.
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10 February 2013: Allen Passes NATO Security Assistance Command to Dunford
U.S. and NATO leaders today congratulated Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen for a job well done as commander of the alliance's International Security Assistance Force and praised Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. as the strategic leader needed for the next phase of the command.
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8 February 2013: U.S. Exports Reached Record High in 2012
The Department of Commerce has announced that the export of U.S. goods and services reached an all-time record during 2012, growing $92.6 billion for a total of $2.2 trillion as the U.S. economy continues to make progress toward President Obama's goal of doubling exports from their 2009 levels.
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6 February 2013: Lunar New Year
Secretary Kerry: "On behalf of the American people, I am delighted to send my heartfelt wishes for good health, good fortune, happiness, and prosperity to all those around the world celebrating the arrival of the Lunar New Year this February 10."
