Remarks by the First Lady at the African Methodist Episcopal Church Conference

Gaylord Opryland Resort
Nashville, Tennessee

11:05 A.M. CDT
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, my, my, my.  (Applause.)  Please, you all rest yourselves.  Thank you so much.  Let me tell you, it is such a pleasure and an honor to join you today in Nashville for your 2012 General Conference.
 
I want to start by thanking Bishop McKenzie for her introduction.  And I want to honor her for the history she’s made --
 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Amen!
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Absolutely.  (Applause.)  For the example she has set and for her inspired leadership in this church.
 
I also want to thank Mayor Dean for his service to this city and for taking the time to join us here today. 
 
And finally, I want to thank all of the bishops, pastors, and lay leaders in AME churches here in America and around the world.  (Applause.) 
 
You all are part of a proud tradition, one that dates back to the founding of that first AME Church and the founding of this nation and has shaped its history every day since.  You all know the story -- how back in the late 1700s, a man named Richard Allen bought his freedom from slavery -- (applause) -- became a minister, and eventually founded a Methodist church called Bethel Church – or “Mother Bethel” as we know it today.  That first AME church was located in a blacksmith’s shop, and that first congregation had just a few dozen members. 
 
But there’s a reason why one pastor called Bethel’s founding “a Liberty bell for black folks.”  (Applause.)  There’s a reason why W.E.B. Dubois said that Bethel Church “belongs to the history of the nation rather than to any one city.” 
 
You see, before long, that little church had grown to 1,000 members, and soon, AME Churches were cropping up all across this country.  Over the years, these churches served as stops on the Underground Railroad.  (Applause.)  They founded universities that educated generations of black leaders.  They hosted civil rights marches, meetings and rallies, even under the threat of being vandalized, bombed or burned to the ground.  Icons like Frederick Douglas and Rosa Parks, leaders like Jim Clyburn, trailblazers like Oliver Brown of Brown v. Board of Education, Ernest Green of the Little Rock Nine -- they all worshipped at AME churches.  (Applause.) 
 
So did many of the quiet heroes who never made the headlines –- the maids walking home in Montgomery, the young people riding those buses in Jackson, the men and women who stood up and sat-in because they wanted something better for their children. 
 
I know that I am here today because of those heroes.  (Applause.)  My husband is in the White House today because of them.  (Applause.)  Because of those heroes, today my daughters and all our children and grandchildren can grow up dreaming of being doctors and lawyers, CEOs and senators, and yes, maybe even the President of the United States of America.  (Applause.) 
 
That is the legacy of the AME church –- and of African American churches and denominations across the country.  But let’s be clear, a legacy is not an end unto itself.  (Applause.)  As another pioneering AME woman, Dr. Jamye Coleman Williams, once said -- (applause) -- she said, “You do the best you can and try to leave a legacy, but somebody has to carry it on.”  (Applause.) 
 
And that’s what I want to talk with you about today.  I want to talk about how we carry on the legacy that is our inheritance as Americans, as African Americans, and as members of the AME church.  I want to talk about what we can learn from our history about the power of being an active, engaged citizen in our democracy. 
 
Now, back when Frederick Douglas was still working on a plantation, back when Rosa Parks was still riding that segregated bus, the injustices we faced were written in big, bold letters on the face of our laws.  And while we may have had our differences over strategy, the battles we needed to fight were very clear.  We knew that to end slavery, we needed a proclamation from our President, an amendment to our Constitution.  To end segregation, we needed the Supreme Court to overturn the lie of “separate but equal”.  To reach the ballot box, we needed Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act. 
 
So yes, we moved forward and we won those battles, and we made progress that our parents and grandparents could never have imagined.  But today, while there are no more “whites only” signs keeping us out, no one barring our children from the schoolhouse door, we know our journey is far from finished.  (Applause.) 
 
But in many ways, the path forward for this next generation is far less clear.  I mean, what exactly do you do about children who are languishing in crumbling schools, graduating from high school unprepared for college or a job?  And what about the 40 percent of black children who are overweight or obese, or the nearly one in two who are on track to develop diabetes in their lifetimes?  What about all those kids growing up in neighborhoods where they don’t feel safe; kids who never have opportunities worthy of their promise?  What court case do we bring on their behalf?  What laws do we pass for them?
 
You see, today, the connection between our laws and our lives isn’t always as clear as it was 50 years or 150 years ago.  And as a result, it’s sometimes easy to assume that the battles in our courts and legislatures have all been won.  It’s tempting to turn our focus to what’s going on in our own lives and with our own families, and just leave it at that. 

And make no mistake about it, change absolutely starts at home.  (Applause.)  Change absolutely starts with each of us, as individuals, taking responsibility for ourselves and our families because we know that our kids won’t grow up healthy until our families start eating right and exercising more.  That’s on us.  (Applause.)  We know that we won’t close that education gap until we turn off the TV, and supervise homework, attend those parent-teacher conferences, and serve as good role models for our own children.  That’s on us. 
 
But while we certainly need to start at home, we all know that we cannot stop there because the fact is that our laws still matter.  Much like they did 50 years ago, or 150 years ago, our laws still shape so many aspects of our lives:  Whether folks are paying their fair [share of]* taxes, or not; whether we invest in roads and schools, and the jobs that come with them, or not; whether our sons and our daughters who wear our country’s uniform get the support and benefits they’ve earned, or not.  You see, those decisions are made by the folks sitting in Congress and in our White House.  They’re made by the folks in our state legislatures and city halls.  And we all know who’s supposed to select those folks, don't we?  We know who’s supposed to tell those folks what to do, right?  We are.  That’s our job.  That is our most fundamental right and our most solemn obligation –- to cast our ballots and have our say in the laws that shape our lives.
 
Dr. King knew that.  That’s why back in 1965, he came to Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma and declared -- (applause) -- he said, “When we get the right to vote, we will send to the statehouse not just men who will stand in the doorways of our universities…but men who will uphold the cause of justice.”
 
John Lewis understood the importance of that right.  That’s why, just months after Dr. King’s speech, he faced down a row of billy clubs on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, risking his life so that we could one day cast our ballots.  (Applause.) 
 
But today, how many folks do we know who act like that right doesn’t even matter?  How many of us have asked someone whether they’re going to vote, and tell us, “No, I voted last time,” or “Is there really an election going on?  Really?”, or “Nah, nah, it’s not like my vote’s gonna make a difference.”  How many times have we heard that?  After so many folks sacrificed so much so that we could make our voices heard, so many of us just can’t be bothered.
 
But let’s be very clear, while we’re tuning out and staying home on Election Day, other folks are tuning in.  (Applause.)  Other folks are taking politics very seriously.  And they’re engaged on every level.  They’re raising money.  They’re making their voices heard –- and their issues known –- from City Hall to Washington, DC.  And I know that in the face of all of that money and influence, it can start to feel like ordinary citizens just can’t get a seat at the table.  And that can make you feel helpless and hopeless.  It can make you feel or think that you’re powerless.
 
But I’m here today because that’s simply not true.  We are not helpless or hopeless.  (Applause.)  Time and again, history has shown us that there is nothing –- nothing -– more powerful than ordinary citizens coming together for a just cause.  (Applause.)  And that is particularly true of folks in the AME church.  And I’m not just talking about the big speeches and protests that we all remember.  I’m talking about everything that happens between the marches, when the speeches are over and the cameras were off.  I’m talking about the thousands of hours that folks like Roy Wilkins and Daisy Bates spent strategizing in cramped offices late at night.  I’m talking about the folks in Montgomery who organized carpools and gave thousands of rides to perfect strangers.  I’m talking about the volunteers who set up drinking fountains and first aid stations on the Washington Mall and made 80,000 bags of lunches for folks who marched on that August day.  I’m talking about the tireless, the thankless, relentless work of making change –- (applause) -- you know, the phone-calling, letter-writing, door-knocking, meeting-planning kind of work.  (Applause.)  That is the real work of democracy –- what happens during those quiet moments between the marches. 
 
It’s kind of like church.  Our faith journey isn’t just about showing up on Sunday for a good sermon and good music and a good meal.  It’s about what we do Monday through Saturday as well -- (applause) -- especially in those quiet moments, when the spotlight’s not on us, and we’re making those daily choices about how to live our lives.
 
We see that in the life of Jesus Christ.  Jesus didn’t limit his ministry to the four walls of the church.  We know that.  He was out there fighting injustice and speaking truth to power every single day.  He was out there spreading a message of grace and redemption to the least, the last, and the lost.  And our charge is to find Him everywhere, every day by how we live our lives. 
 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Yes.
 
MRS. OBAMA:  That is how we practice our faith. 
 
You see, living out our eternal salvation is not a once-a-week kind of deal.  (Applause.)  And in a more literal sense, neither is citizenship.  Democracy is also an everyday activity.  And being an engaged citizen should once again be a daily part of our lives.  That is how we carry on that precious legacy we've inherited -- by recommitting ourselves to that day-to-day, vitally important work that has always paved the way for change in this country.
 
What does that mean?  That means being informed.  It means following the news, and learning about who's representing us, and how our governments work.  It means showing up to vote -- and not just every four years, but every year in every election.  (Applause.)  It means engaging with the folks we elect, following how they vote and how they spend our hard-earned tax dollars.  And if you don’t like what you see, then let them know, or better yet, run for a seat at the table yourself.  (Applause.)
 
And I know I am preaching to the choir here.  I know that many of you have been active and engaged for decades.  And I'm here today to urge you to continue that work and bring others along with you.  Because we know that the only way to be heard above all the noise is to lift our voices up together. 
 
So I want you to talk to your friends and your family, your neighbors.  Talk to them.  Talk to folks in the beauty salons, the barbershops, the parking lot at church.  Tell them what's happening on the city council and out in Washington.  Let them know.  Find that nephew who has never voted -- get him registered.  (Applause.)  Start an email list or a Facebook group.  Send people articles about issues you care about, and then call them to make sure they've read them.
 
And to anyone who says that church is no place to talk about these issues, you tell them there is no place better -- no place better.  (Applause.)  Because ultimately, these are not just political issues -- they are moral issues.  They're issues that have to do with human dignity and human potential, and the future we want for our kids and our grandkids.  And the work of inspiring and empowering folks, the work of lifting up families and communities -- that has always been the work of the AME Church.  (Applause.)  That’s what you all do best.
 
Think about it for a minute.  Folks just don’t turn to all of you in times of spiritual crises.  They come to you with financial crises and health crises and family crises of all kinds.  That’s why AME churches are taking on issues from HIV/AIDS to childhood obesity to financial literacy.  Every day, you all are giving folks the tools they need to take control of their lives and get back on their feet.
 
And if you're not already doing this, I'm here to ask you to take that work to the next level.  So the next time you organize that food drive, pair it with a meeting at city hall and ask what they're doing to fight hunger in your community.  If you've got an exercise ministry or a health ministry, maybe they can work with your town council to clear out a walk-in trailer, clean up a local park.  Keep on doing that great work with your youth groups, but start showing up at those school board meetings and make sure those kids are getting the education they deserve.  (Applause.)  Take it to the next level.
 
In the end, I think that Bishop McKenzie put it best when she said -- and this is her quote -- she says, "It's a tragedy when you fail to climb the mountain of opportunity after your season of preparation."  She says, "It's a tragedy when you fail to try to exercise the gifts that God has given you, even in the face of difficulty.  It's a tragedy."  And God has given us so many blessings and gifts, and such a long season of preparation.  And after so many years of toil and struggle, it is time to climb that mountain of opportunity.  It's time.  (Applause.)  It is time. 
 
And I know that mountain may seem high.  I know there are days when you just want to come home and put up your feet, kick back with the kids.  I know that sometimes the problems we face seem so entrenched, so overwhelming that solving them seems nearly impossible.  But during those dark moments, I want you to remember that doing the impossible is the root of our faith.  It is the history of our people, and the lifeblood of this nation.  (Applause.) 
 
Because if a young shepherd could defeat a giant -- (applause) -- if a man could lead a band of former slaves against the most powerful city in the land until its walls tumbled down, if a simple fisherman could become the rock upon which Christ built his church -- (applause) -- then surely, we can do our part to be more active citizens.
 
If Ernest Green could face down an angry mob to get an education, if Rosa Parks could sit unmoved on that bus, if Richard Allen could transform a blacksmith's shop into a church that changed history, then surely -- surely -- we can get our communities more engaged in our democracy.  If so many people could sacrifice so much for so long to leave this magnificent legacy for us, then surely we can find a way to carry it forward for our children and our grandchildren.
 
And when you grow weary in this work -- and you will -- when you think about giving up -- and you will -- I want you to think about a photo that hangs today in the West Wing of the White House. 
 
It is a picture of a young black family visiting the President in the Oval Office.  The father was a member of the White House staff, and he brought his wife and two young sons to meet my husband.  In the photo, Barack is bent over at the waist -- way over.  And one of the sons, a little boy just 5 years old, is reaching out his tiny hand to touch my husband's head.  And it turns out that upon meeting Barack, this little boy gazed up at him longingly and said, "I want to know if my hair is like yours."  (Applause.)  And my husband replied, "Well, why don’t you touch it and see for yourself."  So he bent way over so the little boy could feel his hair, and after touching my husband's head, the boy exclaimed, he said, "Yeah, it does feel the same."  (Applause.) 
 
And every couple of weeks, the White House photographers change out all the photos that hang in the West Wing -- except for that one.  See, that one, and that one alone, has hung on that wall for more than three years. 
 
So if you ever wonder whether change is possible in this country, I want you to think about that little black boy in the Oval Office of the White House touching the head of the first black President.  (Applause.)  And I want you to think about how children who see that photo today think nothing of it because that is all they've ever known, because they have grown up taking for granted that an African American can be President of the United States.  (Applause.) 
 
And I want you to think of the stories in the Bible about folks like Abel and Noah; folks like Abraham and Sarah, and the verse in Hebrews that says, "All these people were still living by faith when they died.  They did not receive the things promised.  They only saw them and welcomed them from a distance."  (Applause.)  Through so many heartbreaks and trials, those who came before us kept the faith.  They could only see that promised land from a distance, but they never let it out of their sight. 
 
And today, if we're once again willing to work for it, if we're once again willing to sacrifice for it, then I know -- I know -- we can carry that legacy forward.  I know we can meet our obligations to continue that struggle.  I know we can continue the work of those heroes whose shoulders we all stand on.  And I know we can finish the journey they started and finally fulfill the promise of our democracy for all our children.
 
Thank you, and God bless.  (Applause.)

END
11:32 A.M. CDT

Remarks by the First Lady at a Campaign Event

Venue One
Chicago, Illinois 

4:05 P.M. CDT

MRS. OBAMA:  Hey!  (Applause.)  All right, you all already sound pretty fired up and ready to go, so I'll just go home.  (Laughter.)  Let me tell you, I am beyond thrilled to be back home.  (Applause.)  Yes.  And it is so good to see you all.  You're looking good.  This is a pretty hip venue.  (Laughter.)  My venues are not usually this hip.  This is really pretty nice.
 
Let me start by thanking Jarvis, first of all, for that very rousing and kind introduction.  Give Jarvis a round of applause.  (Applause.)  And I want to thank both Jarvis and Kyle for everything they’re doing for this campaign.  They have just been amazing and we are truly grateful.
 
And I have to thank Jim Messina, for he has just been an amazing campaign manager.  His leadership, his organization, his focus -- he is going to be one of the reasons why we will be doing another four more years pretty soon.  (Applause.) 
 
And, finally, I want to thank all of you for taking the time to join us here for today’s Gen44 event.  I love you all.  This is such a good -- Gen44.  (Applause.)  It is good stuff.
 
And I know that it's not always easy to take time out of your busy lives and do stuff like this.  You guys have a lot to do.  I know in your lives you've got your jobs, careers you're building; some of you are still attending classes and trying to get those degrees in order.  Many of you have families to raise and mortgages to pay and rent to get --
 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Mm-hmm.
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Mm-hmm.  (Laughter.)  But I also know that there's a reason why you all are taking time out of your lives to be here today.  And it's not just because we all support a phenomenal President of the United States, right?  (Applause.)
 
Let me tell you, it's not that I'm married to the President that I think he is awesome.  (Laughter.)  But we have a really, really tremendous leader in the White House in my husband.  (Applause.)  And we're not just here because we want to win an election -- which we do and we will.
 
But we’re doing this because of the values we believe in.  That's why we're here.  We’re doing this because of the vision for this country that we all share.  And I say that time and time again -- we cannot forget what we're focused on.  We are doing this because we want all of our children to have good schools.  You know what kind of schools I'm talking about -- the kind of schools that inspire them, and push them, and prepare them for good jobs and opportunities in the future.  We want that for every child.
 
We want our parents and our grandparents to be able to retire with a little dignity, because we believe that after a lifetime of hard work, in America, they should be able to enjoy their golden years, right?  (Applause.)  We are here because we want to restore that basic middle-class security for our families, because we believe that in America folks shouldn’t go bankrupt because somebody gets sick.  You shouldn't lose your home just because you lose your job -- not in America.  We believe that responsibility should be rewarded, that hard work should pay off.  And we believe that everyone should do their fair share, but play by the same rules.
 
But these values, this isn't new.  These are basic American values.  Those are the basics.  They’re the values that so many of us were raised with, including myself -- and all of you all were raised just like me.  (Applause.)  Now, I know where I am now.  (Laughter.)  You all know my background.  My father was a blue-collar worker.  He worked for the city water filtration plant, right here by Navy Pier, all of his life.  And my family lived in a very small, barely one-bedroom apartment on the South Side -- South Side!  (Applause.) 
 
And I know you all can relate to my upbringing.  My parents never had the kinds of educational opportunities that we had.  And growing up, what I saw every single day -- I saw two parents who saved for us and sacrificed everything for us.  They poured everything they had into me and my brother.  They held us to the same high standard of excellence, because they wanted both of us to have the kind of education they could only dream of.
 
My parents did everything in their power to support my college education.  And like many people, while most of my tuition came from student loans and grants -- yes, a lot of head-nodding going on there.  You can relate to that -- (laughter) -- my dad still paid a small portion of that tuition himself.  And every semester, he was determined to pay that bill right on time -- because he was proud to be able to send his kids to college.  And he did all he could to lessen the financial burden on us by ensuring that neither me nor my brother missed a registration deadline because his check was late.  That’s what my father worried about.  And like so many people in this country, my father took great pride in being able to earn the kind of living that allowed him to handle his business, to take care of his responsibilities to his family.  That’s all he wanted.  He wanted a job that allowed him to pay his bills and to pay them on time.  That’s all he wanted. 
 
But more than anything else, that is what’s at stake.  That’s what we’re fighting for.  That’s why we’re here.  And we can never forget what this is about.  It is that fundamental promise that no matter who you are or how you started out, in America, if you work hard you can build a decent life for yourself and an even better life for your kids.  And it is that promise that we have to remember that binds us together as Americans.  It’s what makes us who we are.  It’s what makes this country special.
 
And between now and November, Barack is going to need you to get out there and tell people about this vision.  Tell them about these values that we’re working for, and let them know what’s at stake in this election.  That’s your job -- because people might be confused.  (Laughter.) 
 
Now, when it comes to the economy, you can start by telling  them how Barack fought for tax cuts for working families and small businesses, because he understands that an economy built to last -- it starts with the middle class.  It starts with the folks who are creating jobs and putting people back to work.   And remind people about how, back when Barack first took office -- remind them -- this economy was losing an average of 750,000 jobs every single month.  Yes, surprising.  That’s what he inherited.  That’s what he walked into the Oval Office after all that wonderful inauguration stuff -- that’s what was waiting for him.  But let people know that for the past 27 straight months, we’ve actually been gaining private sector jobs -– a total of more than 4 million jobs in just two years.  (Applause.)  So you have to let people know. 
 
So while we still have a long way to go to build our economy, today people have to understand millions of people are collecting a paycheck again; millions of people like my dad are able to pay their bills again.  Let people know. 
 
You can remind people also about how there were folks in Washington telling Barack to let the auto industry go under, with more than a million jobs on the line.  You remember that?
 
AUDIENCE:  Yes.
 
MRS. OBAMA:  People said, let it go.  But Barack had the backs of American workers.  He put his faith in the American people.  And as a result, today, the auto industry is back on its feet again and, more importantly, people are back at work, providing for their families again.  Let people know.  Let people know -- that’s what we need you to do.  (Applause.)
 
When it comes to health care, I want you to tell people how insurance companies will now have to cover preventative care -- things like contraception, cancer screenings, prenatal care at no extra cost.  That’s what health reform has done.  Millions of our senior citizens have saved hundreds of dollars on their prescription drugs because of health reform.  And young people can now stay on their parent's insurance until they’re 26 years old.  (Applause.)  And what people don’t understand is that is how 3.1 million more young people in this country are getting the health care they need.  Let them know.  Let them know.  (Applause.)
 
When it comes to education, you can tell Barack -- tell folks that Barack knows what it’s like to be drowning in student debt.  Let them know.  Back when we first started out -- and we were trying to build a life together when we first got married -- our combined student loan bill was actually higher than our mortgage.  And that’s why Barack has worked to double Pell Grants, helping 4 million more students afford the education they need for the jobs of the future.  (Applause.)
 
And when it comes to increasing opportunities for all of our young people, tell folks about how Barack has been fighting for the DREAM Act -- (applause) -- because he believes that it is time to stop denying responsible young people opportunities in this country because their parents are undocumented immigrants.  It’s time to stop that.  That’s what your President is working for.  (Applause.)   
 
When it comes to keeping our country safe, you can remind folks that Barack kept his promise and brought our troops back home from Iraq.  (Applause.)
 
And please, don’t let people forget about how our brave men and women finally brought to justice the man behind the 9/11 attacks.  Remind them what our troops did.  (Applause.)
 
And you can also tell them that our troops no longer have to lie about who they are to serve the country they love -- because Barack finally ended "don't ask, don't tell."  Let them know.  (Applause.) 
 
And ladies, when it comes to supporting women and families in our country, please tell people about how Barack fought to make it easier for women to get equal pay for equal work -- and that’s because of the very first bill he signed into law.  The very first thing he did as President was sign the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.  (Applause.) 
 
And it’s important to know why he signed this, why this was a priority.  See, because Barack knows that closing that pay gap for women can mean the difference between them losing $50, $100, $500 from each paycheck, or having that money in their pockets to buy gas, and groceries, and put clothes on the backs of their kids.  He did it because when so many women are now breadwinners for our families, women's success in this economy is the key to families' success in this economy.  (Applause.) 
 
And finally, when it comes to the Supreme Court, don’t forget to tell people about those two brilliant Supreme Court justices Barack appointed, and for the first time in history, our sons and daughters watched three women take their seat on our nation’s highest court.  Let them know.  (Applause.)
 
Now, look, I could go on and on and on and on, but I’m not going to.  (Laughter.)  Because you all are standing up, and at a point you stop listening.  (Laughter.)  But the important point that I want to make is that all of this and so much more -- all of this is at stake in November.  It is all on the line.  And it all boils down to just one simple question:  Are we going to continue the change we’ve begun and the progress we’ve made?  Or are we going to allow everything that we have worked so hard for to just slip away?
 
AUDIENCE:  No!
 
MRS. OBAMA:  What are we going to do?  No, we cannot turn back now.  Not now.  We have to keep moving forward.  We have to keep moving forward.  And more than anything else, that’s what we’re working for -- the chance to finish what we started; the chance to keep fighting for the values we believe in and the vision we all share.  We all share this vision.  I don’t care who you are or where you’re from or what you look like, this is an American vision that we share.  And let me tell you, that is what my husband has been doing every single day as President.  He’s been working for that vision.
 
And let me tell you something, as First Lady, over the past three and a half years I have had the wonderful chance to see up close and personal what being President really looks like.  (Laughter.)  And let me tell you something -- and this is important for people to understand as we select the next leader.  Because I have seen how the issues that come across a President’s desk are always the hard ones -- always:  the problems with no easy solutions; the judgment calls where the stakes are so high, there is no margin for error.  That’s what your President deals with.
 
And as President, you are going to get all kinds of advice and opinions from all kinds of people.  But in the end, when it comes time to make that decision as President --
 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  He listens to his wife.  (Laughter and applause.)
 
MRS. OBAMA:  A smart President will -- (laughter) -- take into account the views and positions of his other half.  (Laughter.)  But seriously, this is a serious point, because when you’re dealing with those kinds of decisions where there isn’t a clear right answer -- there isn’t even a clear good answer -- all a President has to guide them is their life experiences.  All they have to draw on are those values.  All they have is the vision that they have for this country.  So you have to know what that’s about, and where people stand.  You have to know that.
 
But we all know who my husband is, right?  We all know what Barack Obama stands for, don’t we?  (Applause.)  And if you don’t, let me just remind you:  He is the son of a single mother who struggled to put herself through school and pay the bills.  He is the grandson of a woman who woke up before dawn every day to catch a bus to her job at the bank.  And even though Barack’s grandmother worked hard to help support his family, and she was good at her job, like so many women she hit that glass ceiling and men no more qualified than she was, she watched them be promoted up the ladder ahead of her. 
 
So believe me, Barack Obama knows what it means when a family struggles.  For him, this is not a hypothetical.  He knows what it means when someone doesn’t have a chance to fulfill their potential.  (Applause.)  And let me tell you, today, as a father, he knows what it means to want something better for your kids.  Those are the experiences that have made him the man -- and the President -- he is today.  And that’s what we’re working for.  (Applause.)
 
So when there is a choice about our children’s future -- about investing in their schools, about helping them attend college without a mountain of debt -- you know where Barack will stand, don’t you?  When it comes times to stand up for our workers and our families, so folks can make a decent wage and save for retirement, see a doctor when they’re sick, you know what Barack Obama is going to do.  When we need a President to protect our basic -- most basic rights, no matter who we love or where we’re from or what race or what gender we are, you know you can count on Barack Obama, because that is what he’s been doing every single day as President of the United States.  And people have to know that.  People have to know that.  (Applause.)
 
But I have said this before, and I will say it again, everywhere I go, every day if I have to:  He cannot do this alone.  That was never the promise.  And if anybody was under that misperception -- (laughter) -- get over it right now.  (Laughter.)  Barack needs you.  He said this election was going to be even closer than the last one.  So he needs your help.  The outcome of this election will potentially have the greatest impact on the young folks in this room.  So all of you young folks -- and I consider anybody younger than me young -- (laughter) -- understand that you have a unique stake in what happens in this election.
 
And truly, sitting on the sidelines or only coming to an event like this, while fun, it is simply not an option.  If we want to keep this country moving forward, it’s not an option.  We need you to be actively and passionately engaged in this election.  We need you to make those calls.  We need you to do that real work.  We need you to organize more events.  I want you to think about it -- Barack needs you to multiply yourselves.  Think about multiplying yourselves.  Reach out to your friends and your family, your colleagues, your neighbors, your classmates -- reach them, grab them, shake them.  (Laughter.)  And direct them to how they can get involved in this campaign.  Send them to barackobama.com to find out what they can do, because there are many things to do.  And if things are looking good where you are -- if you’re feeling like, oh, you know what, Chicago is locked down -- (laughter) -- then pack a bag and spend some time in a battleground state.  (Applause.)  Go to Iowa.  We are going to win Iowa, but we’re going to win it even more with you.  We need you to talk to undecided voters, particularly your peers, and remind them what’s at stake.  Remind them what’s at stake.
 
And join your neighborhood team.  These are groups of people all over the city and all over the country who are giving just a little bit of their time and energy to make a difference in this campaign.  And everything that we do on the ground runs through these kind of teams.  And I’ve met with dozens of phenomenal team leaders of all ages.  I met a little 14-year-old girl who was like the computer analyst for her team.  (Laughter.)  It was amazing.  She was very focused.  (Laughter.)  And I love that -- when a 14-year-old is on the phone making calls, that is amazing.  So you all should be doing that.  (Laughter.)
 
And today we’ve got volunteers at the back of the room.  You guys, raise your hands if you’re back -- let me see, volunteers with clipboards.  Because this is a can-do thing.  (Applause.)  They can answer your questions.  They can get you signed up.  So this is about action today.
 
And if you have any doubt about the difference you can make, I just want you to remember that in the end this election could all come down to those last few thousand people that we register to vote.  We’ve seen that before, right?  Remember, it could come down to the last few thousand people we help get to the polls on November the 6th.  And so with every conversation you have, with every interaction that you have on behalf of this mission, I want you to remember -- just think to yourself, this could be the one.  This could be the one.  So there is no wasted conversation.  There is no one in your family who should go untouched.  This could be the one that makes the difference in this election.  That is the kind of impact that each of you can, and each of you will, have. 
 
And I’m not going to kid you, the only thing I can guarantee you is that this journey is going to be long.  It’s only 130-something days left, but it’s going to be long.  (Laughter.)  And it is going to be hard.  And there will be plenty of twists and turns along the way -- there always is.  But we have to remember, that’s how change always happens in this country.  Real change takes some time, and it can be a little complicated, and it can feel a little uncomfortable.  But if we keep showing up, and if we keep fighting the good fight, if we keep fighting for the things we know are right, then eventually we get there.  We always do.  In this country we have never gone backwards.  That is the beauty of America:  We always keep moving forward.  Maybe not in my lifetime, but maybe in our children’s lifetimes, maybe in our grandchildren’s lifetimes. 
 
Because, in the end, we have to remember that’s what this is all about.  It’s not about us, it’s about them.  And that’s why I can get so passionate.  That’s why I can stay so focused and work so hard, because when I tuck my girls in at night, that’s what I think about.  I think about the world I want to leave for them, and for all of our sons and daughters.  I think about how I want to do for them what my dad did for me.  And I want to give these kids a foundation for their dreams -- all of them.  Because all of them are worthy of this promise.  I want to give them everything that’s worthy of their dreams.  I want to give them that sense of limitless possibility; that belief that here in America, there is always something better out there if you’re willing to work for it. 
 
So we cannot turn back now.  Not now.  There is too much at stake.  We have come so far, but we have so much more work to do. 
 
So the last question I have for you all is:  Are you in?
 
AUDIENCE:  Yes!  (Applause.)
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Are you in?  (Applause.)  No, no, I’m not just talking about comfortable in, I’m talking about rolling-up-your-sleeves kind of in.  (Applause.)  I’m talking about finding someone with a board and signing up.  I’m talking about packing-a-bag-and-getting-to-a-battleground-state in.  I’m talking about getting-on-a-phone-and-calling-some-people in.  Are you in?
 
AUDIENCE:  Yes!  (Applause.)
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Are you fired up?  (Applause.)  Let me tell you, I am so fired up because I have seen what’s at stake.  I have seen the vision for this country that we can have.  I know what we can do, and I know Barack Obama is the man to get us there.  I wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t the one. 
 
So you all just get it together.  (Laughter.)  Stay focused.  Stay fired up.  Do not get tired, and let’s get this done.
 
Four more years.  Thank you.  (Applause.)
 
END  
4:31 P.M. CDT

Remarks by the First Lady at Illinois Spousal Licensing Bill Signing

Donnelly Armory
Chicago, Illinois

2:24 P.M. CDT

MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you, everyone.  Please be seated.  It is great to be back home in Chicago, especially on what is a very big, important day like today.

I want to start by thanking Governor Quinn, first of all, for inviting me here and allowing me to join in this celebration.  Thank you, Governor Quinn -- (applause) -- as well as everyone from the Illinois National Guard Armory for hosting us here, and for all of your service and work. 

I want to thank all of the elected officials who are here today, and all of those who worked in a unified way to get this legislation passed.  And of course I want to join in in thanking our men and women in uniform and their families who are here with us today and all over the country for what you do and what you give to all of us, and for the models of inspiration that you provide for me personally each and every day.   

And finally I want to thank Courtney for so eloquently sharing her story.  I got to meet her family just before coming onstage.  They’re beautiful, smart, handsome -- because there are boys in there, too. 

And just one thing I want to point out is, for all of the military parents here, I know that you all realize that your kids serve, too.  They are making huge, tremendous sacrifices on behalf of this country.  And it’s important for each of you kids to know that you are heroes, too, in huge ways.  Your parents could not do what they do without you being calm, responsible, focused, obedient, right?  I’m talking to you, kids, right?  You’re all that, right?  (Laughter and applause.)  You know, giving limited attitude, right?  (Laughter.)  All of that.  But we are very proud of you, and it has been a joy to get to know the military families all over this country.  Again, you all keep us inspired, and it has just been a privilege to be a part of shining a light on the work that you do and the lives that you live.

Courtney’s story is one that I have heard so many times over these past few years –- the story of the teacher who has moved 12 times, taking odd jobs to pay the bills. The story of the social worker whose skills go unused as she waits months for paperwork to clear.  The accountants, the psychologists, the real estate agents, child care providers, and so many others who simply want to provide for their families and get back to the careers that they love.  But far too often, they’re stuck in a web of bureaucracy.

And we have to remember who these military spouses are.  They’re folks who are giving their heart and soul to this country every single day.  Every time our country asks them to pick up their families and move across the country at a moment’s notice, they do it and they do it with pride. Every time their spouses are sent overseas for months, sometimes years, on end, they hold things together back at home without complaint or regret.  And on top of all that, they are some of the best volunteers in their communities.  They still find time to participate on the PTA, in their Parish Council, to support the Little League and the Girl Scouts.

So we owe it to these individuals to get this licensing issue right.  And that's why Jill Biden and I started Joining Forces.  We made addressing this issue one of our highest priorities.  

So as Governor Quinn said, earlier this year we worked with the Departments of Defense and Treasury on a report to give states some ideas on how to solve this problem.  We went to the Pentagon and we joined Secretary Panetta and General Dempsey to call on all 50 states to address this issue by the year 2014.  And again, when our nation’s governors came to the White House a couple of weeks after that meeting, we asked them to enact measures in their home states.  

And today, believe me, I am so proud to report that governors and legislatures across this country have answered this call.  Back when we went to the Pentagon, only 11 states had addressed this issue at all.  Only 11 states.  But in the four months since then -- so just since February -- 11 more governors have signed legislation or executive orders.  And seven more have legislation pending.  (Applause.)  That's good stuff.  (Applause.) 

And we are so proud that in just a few moments, the governor of my home state is going to make Illinois the 23rd state to take action on behalf of nation’s military families.  (Applause.)  Yes.  (Applause.) 

So this is a good reason to come back home, right?  So I want to thank Governor Quinn, Senate President John Cullerton, and to all of the Illinois legislators who worked so hard and so quickly to get this done.  Because of your efforts, more military spouses will be able to advance in their careers.  More businesses and hospitals and schools will get the talented, experienced workers they rely on.  And more importantly, more families will have the income they need and the financial security they deserve. 

So again, this is a banner day.  And we have come so far in just these last four months.  But we know we’re not finished yet.  We’re not finished yet.  We still have 27 states to go. 

So today, right here, I want to renew our call to action for all of the states out there, all of the legislators all over the country in the states that have yet to address this issue.  I ask you to help us finish this job.  This is something we can do.  I ask you to look at what they’ve done here in Illinois and states all across the country, and what you’ll see is that this is an eminently solvable problem.  This is something we can do. You’ll see that there are all kinds of solutions, and you can choose the one that’s best for your state.  There is no one-size-fits-all solution here.  And you’ll see that folks from every background and both sides of the aisle are eager to step up and help. 

And that is really the beauty of giving back to our troops and our military families -- it is something that we all agree on in this country.  This is one of them.  This is a good thing.  And it’s something we all can support. 

And that has been the story of Joining Forces from the very beginning since we launched the initiative.  In just over a year, we have seen more than 1,600 companies step forward to hire more than 90,000 veterans and military spouses –- and commit to hiring at least 170,000 more in the coming years.  We have seen associations of nurses and physical therapists and medical schools commit to providing better care for folks dealing with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.  We have seen schools reach out to military students to help pave the way.  We’ve seen everyone from Oprah to Tom Hanks to iCarly, my girl, kids -- the old people, you don't know what iCarly is -- (laughter) -- and Sesame Street, they have shared the inspiring stories of military families with the rest of the country. 

And while we do have a long way to go, we’re just getting started.  So today, I want all of our military families to know that America does have your backs.  It is really a country that appreciates and cares about your service.  Whether it’s fixing this licensing issue, or helping you find a job, or making sure that you and your family have the health care and benefits you’ve earned, we are working hard every day to serve you as well as you have served this country.

So again, I truly from the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you here in Illinois for making this possible.  I want to once again thank the men and women in uniform and their families for their service.  And I look forward to many more days like today in states all across this country.  

Thank you all.  God bless.  And with that, I turn it over to the governor and we can get the bill signed.  (Applause.) 

END
2:34 P.M. CDT