The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
June 06, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at a Campaign Event

Pierre Hotel
New York, New York

12:10 P.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA: Thank you so much. (Applause.) Yes! It's good to see that this crowd is already fired up. I can go back to D.C., right? (Applause.) Oh, my goodness! It is a thrill to be here this afternoon. This hotel is amazing. (Laughter.) One day I will come back and have tea -- or do something. (Laughter.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you!

MRS. OBAMA: I love you all, too. We are going to get this done, right? (Applause.) Absolutely.

I want to start by thanking Caroline for that very kind introduction and, more importantly, for all of the consistent support and friendship she has provided to me and to Barack. And, yes, I do have a crazy dog. (Laughter.) But he is very adorable, too, and we wouldn't know what to do without him. So, for that alone, the Kennedys hold a special place in our heart. So let's give Caroline another round of applause. (Applause.)

I also want to recognize Cecile Richards for her outstanding leadership -- (applause.) Thank you, Cecile. Way to go! (Applause.) It's great to have you here today. Thank you so much.

I want to also thank Jane Hartley for moderating today’s panel and for all of her hard work. (Applause.) And Laura Tyson and Heather McGhee for participating in the panel. I heard that that was really good. (Applause.) I missed it. I just flew in, so I missed it. But I heard that it is actually Heather’s birthday today. So, Heather, I know I'm going to see you after this, but wherever you are, happy birthday. (Applause.) And thank you for spending your birthday with a roomful of amazing women. (Applause.) And are there any men here today? (Applause.) All right -- and a few good men, too. There you go -- stand proud. Stand proud. (Laughter.)

I know you all are busy -- which is why events like this are so special, because I know that people have busy lives. You all have families to raise, jobs, careers, whatever it is that is filling up your calendars. But I know there’s a reason why all of us have taken time out to be here today.

And it’s not just because we all support one extraordinary man -- (applause.) I am the President's biggest fan. I'm a bit biased. (Laughter.) I think he's been phenomenal. (Applause.) And I know we're not just here because we want to win an election -- which I know we do. We’re here, we come together like this, with all this passion and fire, because of the values we believe in. We’re doing this because of the vision for this country that we all share.

We’re doing this because we want all our kids to have wonderful schools -- those kind of schools that push them and inspire them, and prepare them for good jobs and phenomenal futures. We want our parents and our grandparents to be able to retire with dignity -- because we believe that here in America, after a lifetime of hard work, these folks should be able to enjoy their golden years. We want to restore that basic middle class security for our families, because in this country we believe that folks shouldn’t go bankrupt because someone get sick -- (applause) -- that people shouldn’t lose their home because someone loses a job. Not in America.

We believe that responsibility should be rewarded and hard work should pay off. We believe that everyone should do their fair share and play by the same rules. But what we do know is that these kind of things, these are all basic American values. They’re the values that so many of us were raised with, including myself.

Most of you know my story by now. My father was a blue-collar city worker at the city water plant, and my family lived in a little-bitty apartment on the South Side of Chicago. My mother still lives there. My bedroom looks exactly the same. (Laughter.) Same bed sheets, same pictures on the wall. (Laughter.)

And one thing I know is that my parents worked very hard and they saved and they sacrificed, and they poured everything they had into us. They didn’t have the types of educational opportunities the kinds of educational opportunities we had, so we saw how they had to save and how they had to work for me and my brother -- because they wanted for us something that they couldn't have for themselves; they wanted the kind of education they could only dream of.

And while pretty much all of my college tuition came from student loans and grants, my Dad still paid a small portion of that tuition himself. And every semester, he was determined to pay that bill right on time. He was so proud to be sending his kids to college, and he couldn’t bear the thought of me or my brother missing that registration deadline because his check was late.

And like so many people in this country, my father took great pride in being able to earn a living that allowed him to handle his business, handle his responsibilities, to pay his bills -- all of them -- and to pay them on time.

And really, everyone, what we have to remember is that more than anything else that is what’s at stake in this election. It’s that fundamental promise that no matter who you are or how you started out, in this country you can build a decent life for yourself if you work hard, and an even better life for your kids. And it is that promise that binds us together as Americans. It’s that promise. It's what makes us who we are. That's why this country is special.

And from now until November, Barack is going to need all of you -- all of you to get out there and tell everyone you know about our values and our vision, and everything that’s at stake in this election.

And you can start by telling them how Barack fought for tax cuts for working families and small businesses -- because an economy that is built to last with the middle class and with folks -- it begins with the middle class and folks creating jobs and putting people back to work. And you can also remind people, back when Barack first took office, how our economy was losing an average of 750,000 jobs a year [sic]. That's what he inherited. But for the past 28 -- 27 straight months, we have actually been gaining private sector jobs -- a total of more than 4 million jobs in just two years. (Applause.)

So while we still have a long way to go to rebuild our economy, today millions of people are collecting a paycheck again -- millions of people like my dad are able to pay their bills again.

You can also remind people about how so many folks in Washington were telling Barack to let the auto industry go under. Remember that? With more than a million jobs on the line. But what did Barack do? He had the backs of American workers. He put his faith in the American people. And today, the auto industry is back on its feet again, and people are back at work, providing for their families again. (Applause.)

You’ve got to tell people that because we passed health reform, insurance companies will have to cover preventative care -- things like contraception -- (applause) -- cancer screenings, prenatal care, all at no extra cost. (Applause.) You see, my husband knows that women need access to the full range of health services -- right? And he believes that women should be able to make their own choices about their health care. (Applause.) We all know that.

Because of this reform, millions of our senior citizens have saved an average of more than $600 a year on their prescription drugs. And our kids can now stay on their parent's insurance until they’re 26 years old -- (applause) -- and that is how 2.5 million young people in this country are now getting the health care they need.

Tell people how Barack is working to also raise the standards in our public schools and make college more affordable for millions of young people, so that by the end of this decade, more Americans will hold a college degree than any other country in the world. That’s his goal.

You can tell people how Barack has been fighting for the DREAM Act, because he believes that it is time to stop denying citizenship to responsible young people just because they’re the children of undocumented immigrants. (Applause.)

And you can remind folks that Barack kept his promise to bring our troops home from Iraq. (Applause.) And please remind them about how our brave men and women in uniform fought to bring to justice the man behind the 9/11 attacks. (Applause.) And you can 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." (Applause.)

And please make sure that people understand that it’s now easier for women to get equal pay for equal work -- and that’s because of the very first bill my husband signed into law, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. (Applause.) But it’s also important for people to understand why Barack signed this bill -- because he knows that closing that pay gap, that can mean the difference between women losing $50, $100, $500 from each paycheck, or having that money in their pockets to buy gas or groceries or put clothes on the backs of their children. And he did it because when so many women in this country are now breadwinners for our families, women's success in this economy is the key to families' success in this economy. We all know that. (Applause.)

And let me tell you, he’s going to keep on fighting for common-sense measures like the Paycheck Fairness Act to make sure that women can finally get paid what they deserve. (Applause.)

And finally, don’t forget to tell people about those two brilliant Supreme Court justices that Barack appointed. (Applause.) And how, for the first time in history, our daughters and our sons watched three women take their seat on our nation’s highest court. (Applause.)

You know I could go on and on and on. That’s just three and a half years worth of work. But all of that is at stake this November. It’s all on the line. And in the end, it all boils down to one simple question: Are we going to continue the change that we’ve begun and the progress that we’ve made, or will we allow everything we fought for -- not just over these past few years, but over these past few decades -- are we going to allow all of that to just slip away?

AUDIENCE: No!

MRS. OBAMA: No, we know what we need to do, right?

AUDIENCE: Yes!

MRS. OBAMA: We cannot turn back now. We need to keep moving forward. We need 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 all believe in and the vision we all share.

That’s what my husband has been doing every single day as President. And I’ve watched him. Let me tell you, over the past three years and a half -- can’t believe it’s been that long -- (laughter) -- but I have had the chance to see up close and personal what being President really looks like. And let me tell you, I’ve seen how the issues that come across a President’s desk, they’re always the hard ones -- the problems with absolutely no easy solutions, the judgment calls where the stakes are so high, and there’s no margin for error.

And as President, you’re going to get all kinds of advice and opinions from all kinds of people. But at the end of the day, when it comes time to make that decision, as President, all you have to guide you are your life experiences; all you have to guide you are your values and your vision. In the end, when you’re making those impossible choices, it all boils down to who you are and what you stand for.

See, one of the things you don’t have to wonder is who my husband is -- right? (Applause.) We all know who he is. We all know what he stands for. (Applause.) He’s the son of a single mother who struggled to put herself through school and pay the bills. That’s who Barack is. He’s 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 what she did, like so many women, she hit that glass ceiling, and men no more qualified than she was were promoted up the ladder ahead of her.

So believe me, Barack knows what it means when a family struggles. That he understands. He knows what it means when someone doesn’t have a chance to fulfill their potential. And today, as a father, believe me, he knows what it means to want something better for your kids.

You see, those are the experiences that have made him the man and, yes, the President he is today. And that’s who you’re working for. So when it comes time to stand up for American workers and American families, you know what Barack is going to do. When there’s a choice about protecting our rights and our freedoms, you know where Barack is going to stand. And when we need a leader to make the hard decisions to keep this country moving forward, you know that you can count on your President, because that is what he has been doing every day in the Oval Office since he’s taken that oath -- every, single day. (Applause.)

But for those of you who've met me, have seen me, I have said this before and I will say it again and again -- Barack Obama cannot do this alone. That was never the promise. He needs your help. He will always need your help.

He needs you to make those calls. Yes, write the checks, but make the calls -- (laughter) -- and register those voters. He needs you to take those "I’m in" cards -- and, hopefully, you have some here, and if not, you will get some -- take them and sign up your friends and your neighbors and your colleagues. Convince them, with all the passion you have in your heart, to join in, just giving a little part of themselves each week to this campaign.

And be sure to go to our Women for Obama website at BarackObama.com/women. It's a wonderful website that you can go to, to find out what else you can do to help. It's a great resource.

As Barack has said, this election will be even closer than the last one. That you can count on. And if you have any doubt about the difference that 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. Just think about it. It could all come down to those last few thousand folks we help get to the polls on November the 6th. So consider that. With every event you host, with every conversation you have, I want you to remember that this could be the one that makes the difference. This could be the kind of impact that each of us can have in this election.

And I’m not going to kid you, this journey is going to be long and it is going to be hard. And there will be plenty of twists and turns along the way. But as I always say, as Barack has always said, that is how change always happens in this country. We as women know that. Change happens because of women like us, who stand up and speak out and work day and night, because we know what’s at stake. (Applause.)

We know what’s at stake for our health and for our economic security and for the basic rights that we all hold dear. And we know that if we keep showing up, the way we always have, if we keep fighting the good fight for the values we believe in, then eventually we get there. We always do. Maybe not in our lifetimes, but maybe in our children’s lifetimes, and maybe in our grandchildren’s lifetimes -- because as I always remember, we are in this for them. That's what this is all about.

That’s what I think about -- every night when I tuck my girls in at night, I think about the world I want to leave for them. This is about them and for all our sons and daughters. That's how big this election is. I think about how I want to do for them what my Dad did for me. I want to give them that foundation for their dreams -- all of our kids. I want to give them opportunities worthy of their promise. I want to give them that sense of limitless possibility -- that belief that here in America, their country, there is always something better out there if you’re willing to work hard for it. (Applause.)

So, ladies, we cannot turn back now. Not now. (Applause.) We have come so far, but we have so much more work to do. So I have one last question for you. I want to know, are you in?

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Yes!

MRS. OBAMA: I need to hear this -- are you in?

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Yes!

MRS. OBAMA: Because I am so in this. Can you tell? (Laughter.) Can you tell how fired up I am? How ready to go I am? How much I know we can do? How much more I know we can accomplish? We need you. So we want you to stay fired up.

I cannot wait to see all of you out there on the campaign trail in the weeks and months ahead. Thank you all and God bless. (Applause.)

END
12:32 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
June 05, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at Disney Press Conference

Newseum
Washington, D.C.

11:13 A.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you, everyone.  Good morning.  Oh my goodness.  I am so thrilled to be with all of you today, and I want to start by thanking Bob for that very kind introduction and for his tremendous leadership at Disney. 

I'd also like to thank Leslie for all of her hard work in this effort.  Also, everyone from the Newseum for hosting us today, and also to all of the parents and advocates who are here today who have been working so hard for so many years on these issues.  And finally, I want to thank everyone at Disney for making this day possible. 

This new initiative is truly a game changer for the health of our children.  See, for years people told us that no matter what we did to get our kids to eat well and exercise, we would never solve our childhood obesity crisis until companies changed the way they sell food to our children.  And we all know the conventional wisdom about that.  We've heard all the cynics who say that we simply can't change the market, or that concerned parents are no match for corporate bottom lines, or that companies will never change their business model for the good of our kids.

But truly, today, Disney has turned that conventional wisdom on its head.  This is a major American company, a global brand that is literally changing the way it does business so that our kids can lead healthier lives.  With this new initiative, Disney is doing what no major media company has ever done before in the United States.  And what I hope every company will do going forward when it comes to the ads they show and the food they sell they're asking themselves one simple question:  Is this good for our kids? 

And make no mistake about it -- this is huge.  That’s why I'm here.  It's huge.  Just think about it.  Just a few years ago if you had told me or any other mom or dad in America that our kids wouldn’t see a single ad for junk food while they watched their favorite cartoons on a major TV network, we wouldn’t have believed you because parents know better than anyone else just how effective and pervasive those advertisements have become -- Bob mentioned it. 

Our kids see an estimated $1.6 billion a year worth of food and beverage marketing, and many of those ads are for foods that are high in calories and sugar but low in nutrition.  So our kids are constantly bombarded with sophisticated messages designed to sell them foods that simply aren't good for them.  And let me tell you, we know it works, right?

As parents, we know that whatever is on TV is what our kids are going to want.  I remember, as Bob has discussed, going to the grocery store with the kids, and the minute you walk down the aisle the kids are singing some jingle, or they're pulling on your leg begging you, pleading you for whatever they saw on TV.  And as a mom, I know how that makes it even harder for us to keep our kids healthy.

So many parents are working so hard to serve their kids a balanced diet.  We're preparing those nutritious meals and snacks, and we're doing our best to teach our kids healthy habits.  But when the kids turn on the TV to watch their favorite shows and -- all that hard work is undermined whenever there is a commercial break.  I mean, it's a constant battle, and it's a tough one.  And so many parents are left feeling like the deck is stacked against them. 

And, truly, that's really what today is all about.  In fact, that's what our entire Let's Move initiative is about.  It's about empowering parents, because we know that government doesn’t have all the answers and there's no one-size solution to this problem.  This is about what all of us can do as moms and dads, as CEOs and school superintendents, as mayors and doctors, and, yes, even Mickey Mouse.  It's about all of us doing what we can with the tools we have to help parents make healthier choices for their kids. 

And that's why I am so thrilled about today's announcements.  I am thrilled that Disney is stepping forward in such a big way to stand alongside America's parents.  I am thrilled that they're raising their nutrition standards and introducing the Mickey Check and making it easier for moms and dads to make those decisions.

And I'm thrilled that over the next couple of years, when our kids tune into their favorite shows on Disney channels or they log onto the Disney web site, they will no longer be bombarded with unhealthy messages during those commercial breaks.  Instead, they will see ads for foods that we might actually want them to eat -- ads that can reinforce healthy habits and teach kids very important lessons. 

And as you heard from Bob and Leslie, Disney has been taking steps to help our kids lead healthier lives for many years.  Their Magic of Healthy Living campaign is helping kids eat healthy, get active, and have fun while doing it.  They've helped build playgrounds and community gardens in neighborhoods all across this country.  And even earlier this year, they got me to do the platypus walk.  (Laughter.)  Yes, dancing with about 1,500 kids down in Disney World. 

So we're all willing to do our part.  And leaders at Disney are doing all of this not just as parents and as grandparents who care about the health and well-being of their kids and the future of this nation, but, as Bob said, they're also doing it as corporate leaders who care about the bottom line.  And that's a very important point to make. 

They have listened to parents who are more and more concerned about what their kids are eating.  They've seen the market shifting as folks are increasingly interested in buying healthier food, and they’ve seen the momentum building all across this country on behalf of our children’s health.  And they’ve realized that what is good for our children can also be good business. 

So I hope that businesses all across this country will understand this as well, and, even more importantly, I hope that parents will take notice when companies like Disney do the right thing for our kids.  Because as parents, it isn’t enough to just ask for change.  It’s not enough just to make the right choices for our kids.  We also need to support those companies who are listening to us, because if we do that as parents and consumers, if we make a statement not just with our voices but also with our feet and with our wallets, then we will keep seeing the changes that we hope for.  We will keep seeing more choices available for our kids. 

We’re going to keep seeing more days like today, which is what we’re working for.  And that is what is going to take us to the finish line and get us where we want to go on this issue.  That’s what it’s going to take to ensure that our children can grow up healthy and reach their full potential. 

And I say this all time -- we know it won’t be easy, but everything that I have seen since we started Let’s Move gives me hope.  Every day I am hearing from someone who wants to get involved -- school districts revamping their menus; communities planting gardens; food companies reducing the sugar, salt and fat in their foods; nationwide chains building grocery stores in underserved communities; leaders from both parties in Congress coming together to fund healthy school lunches. 

And more importantly, every day I am getting wonderful letters from kids who tell me about how they’re eating healthier -- the same things that Bob is seeing in his research, I’m seeing it anecdotally.  Kids telling me about how they’re getting more exercise and how they’re loving every minute of it.  They want to be healthy.  They’re excited about improving their lives.  That is the change that all of us are making together.  That’s why every day I am more hopeful.  Every day I’m more confident than ever that we can get this done and we can give all of our kids the healthy futures they deserve.

So today, again, I want to once again thank Disney for taking this monumental step forward and setting the bar very high.  And I look forward to standing with even more businesses and partners who support the health of America’s families in the months and years ahead.  And I can’t wait to see the difference that it makes for our children and for our country.

So thank you all.  Thank you, Bob.  Congratulations and God bless.  (Applause.)

END
11:23 A.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
June 05, 2012

First Lady Joins the Walt Disney Company to Announce New Standards for Food Advertising to Kids

First Lady Michelle Obama today joined The Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Robert A. Iger to announce that Disney will become the first major media company to introduce new standards for food advertising on programming targeting kids and families. Under Disney’s new standards, all food and beverage products advertised, sponsored, or promoted on Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Radio Disney, and Disney-owned online destinations oriented to families with younger children will be required by 2015 to meet Disney’s nutrition guidelines.   The nutrition guidelines are aligned to federal standards, promote fruit and vegetable consumption and call for limiting calories and reducing saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. American children see an estimated $1.6 billion a year worth of food and beverage marketing, and many of those ads are food food that are high in calories and sugar, but low in nutrition. The First Lady has been focusing on these issues since launching her Let’s Move! initiative, and in 2010 called on the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association to retool their advertising to market healthy foods and habits to children.

“This new initiative is truly a game changer for the health of our children,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “This is a major American company - a global brand - that is literally changing the way it does business so that our kids can lead healthier lives.  With this new initiative, Disney is doing what no major media company has ever done before in the U.S. - and what I hope every company will do going forward.  When it comes to the ads they show and the food they sell, they are asking themselves one simple question: ‘Is this good for our kids?’”

“We’re proud of the impact we’ve had over the last six years,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company.  “We’ve taken steps across our company to support better choices for families, and now we’re taking the next important step forward by setting new food advertising standards for kids.  The emotional connection kids have to our characters and stories gives us a unique opportunity to continue to inspire and encourage them to lead healthier lives.”

Disney Magic of Healthy Living On-Air
Disney’s iconic characters, creativity, and family entertainment platforms offer a unique position from which Disney can help make nutritious eating and physical activity fun and rewarding.  Disney Magic of Healthy Living includes online resources for families, live events, as well as informative short-form programming.  The on-air spots, which today reach almost 100 million households in the U.S. on Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior, inspire and encourage kids and families to live healthier lifestyles through better eating habits and fun activities.
Disney’s 2006 nutrition policy stipulated that promotions aimed at children 12 years old and under – most notably for films -- would meet specific guidelines.  Since then, Disney kid-targeted film promotional campaigns feature only healthier food and beverage products.

“Mickey Check” Tool
In addition to its new advertising standards, Disney today introduced the “Mickey Check” tool, an icon that calls out nutritious food and menu items sold in stores, online, and at restaurants and food venues at its U.S. Parks and Resorts.  By the end of 2012 the “Mickey Check” will appear on licensed foods products, on qualified recipes on Disney.com and Family.com, and on menus and select products at Disney’s Parks and Resorts.

Disney Magic of Healthy Living on Vacation
In 2006, Disney pioneered new, well-balanced kids’ meals served at its Parks and Resorts, which automatically include nutritious sides and beverages such as carrots and low-fat milk, unless parents opt out.  Of the more than 12 million kids’ meals served last year at Disney Parks and Resorts in the U.S., parents stuck with the healthier options 6 out of 10 times.  Now, Disney will enhance its efforts by further reducing sodium in kids’ meals and introducing new well-balanced kids’ breakfast meals.

Disney Magic of Healthy Living at Retail
Since 2006, Disney Consumer Products (DCP) has sold more than two billion servings of Disney licensed fruits and vegetables in North America, and has transformed its food offerings resulting in 85 percent of all U.S. licensed products meeting the company’s nutrition guidelines and only 15 percent reserved for special occasion treats.  Additionally, Disney will further reduce sugar and sodium in all licensed foods.

About Disney Magic of Healthy Living
Disney Magic of Healthy Living partners with parents and inspires kids and families to lead healthier lifestyles.  This initiative includes engaging content, useful tools, as well as nutrition guidelines that pair the fun of Disney’s stories and characters with a well-balanced portfolio of foods and healthier lifestyle choices. Disney’s nutrition guidelines, which were first introduced in 2006, were developed with the help of experts and align to federal standards. For more information, please visit: www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/mohl

May Morning Harvest in the White House Garden

Matt Compton
Matt Compton
May 31, 2012
04:59 PM EST

Back in March, a group of students from across the country joined First Lady Michelle Obama to plant a new crop in the White House garden.

Check out this video of the planting of the White House garden here:

Today, a new batch of students stopped by to harvest some of the lettuce, broccoli, peas, and garlic that have been growing ever since.

Related Topics: Healthy Kids

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 31, 2012

Remarks by President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Former President George W. Bush and Former First Lady Laura Bush at the Official Portrait Unveiling

East Room

1:31 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  Well, good afternoon, everybody.  Thank you, Fred, for that introduction.  To President George H. W. Bush and Barbara, to all the members of the Bush family who are here -- it is a great privilege to have you here today.  And to President and Mrs. Bush, welcome back to the house that you called home for eight years.

The White House is many things at once.  It’s a working office, it’s a living museum, it’s an enduring symbol of our democracy.  But at the end of the day, when the visitors go home and the lights go down, a few of us are blessed with the tremendous honor to actually live here.

I think it’s fair to say that every President is acutely aware that we are just temporary residents -- we’re renters here.  We’re charged with the upkeep until our lease runs out.  But we also leave a piece of ourselves in this place.  And today, with the unveiling of the portraits next to me, President and Mrs. Bush will take their place alongside men and women who built this country and those who worked to perfect it.

It’s been said that no one can ever truly understand what it’s like being President until they sit behind that desk and feel the weight and responsibility for the first time.  And that is true.  After three and a half years in office -- and much more gray hair -- (laughter) -- I have a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the Presidents who came before me, including my immediate predecessor, President Bush. 

In this job, no decision that reaches your desk is easy.  No choice you make is without costs.  No matter how hard you try, you’re not going to make everybody happy.  I think that’s something President Bush and I both learned pretty quickly.  (Laughter.)

And that’s why, from time to time, those of us who have had the privilege to hold this office find ourselves turning to the only people on Earth who know the feeling.  We may have our differences politically, but the presidency transcends those differences.  We all love this country.  We all want America to succeed.  We all believe that when it comes to moving this country forward, we have an obligation to pull together.  And we all follow the humble, heroic example of our first President, George Washington, who knew that a true test of patriotism is the willingness to freely and graciously pass the reins of power on to somebody else.

That’s certainly been true of President Bush.  The months before I took the oath of office were a chaotic time.  We knew our economy was in trouble, our fellow Americans were in pain, but we wouldn’t know until later just how breathtaking the financial crisis had been.  And still, over those two and a half months -- in the midst of that crisis -- President Bush, his Cabinet, his staff, many of you who are here today, went out of your ways -- George, you went out of your way -- to make sure that the transition to a new administration was as seamless as possible.

President Bush understood that rescuing our economy was not just a Democratic or a Republican issue; it was a American priority.  I’ll always be grateful for that.

The same is true for our national security.  None of us will ever forget where we were on that terrible September day when our country was attacked.  All of us will always remember the image of President Bush standing on that pile of rubble, bullhorn in hand, conveying extraordinary strength and resolve to the American people but also representing the strength and resolve of the American people. 

And last year, when we delivered justice to Osama bin Laden, I made it clear that our success was due to many people in many organizations working together over many years -- across two administrations.  That’s why my first call once American forces were safely out of harm’s way was to President Bush.  Because protecting our country is neither the work of one person, nor the task of one period of time, it’s an ongoing obligation that we all share.

Finally, on a personal note, Michelle and I are grateful to the entire Bush family for their guidance and their example during our own transition. 

George, I will always remember the gathering you hosted for all the living former Presidents before I took office, your kind words of encouragement.  Plus, you also left me a really good TV sports package.  (Laughter.)  I use it.  (Laughter.)

Laura, you reminded us that the most rewarding thing about living in this house isn’t the title or the power, but the chance to shine a spotlight on the issues that matter most.  And the fact that you and George raised two smart, beautiful daughters -- first, as girls visiting their grandparents and then as teenagers preparing to head out into the world -- that obviously gives Michelle and I tremendous hope as we try to do the right thing by our own daughters in this slightly odd atmosphere that we’ve created. 

Jenna and Barbara, we will never forget the advice you gave Sasha and Malia as they began their lives in Washington.  They told them to surround themselves with loyal friends, never stop doing what they love; to slide down the banisters occasionally -- (laughter) -- to play Sardines on the lawn; to meet new people and try new things; and to try to absorb everything and enjoy all of it.  And I can tell you that Malia and Sasha took that advice to heart.  It really meant a lot to them. 

One of the greatest strengths of our democracy is our ability to peacefully, and routinely, go through transitions of power.  It speaks to the fact that we’ve always had leaders who believe in America, and everything it stands for, above all else -- leaders and their families who are willing to devote their lives to the country that they love. 

This is what we’ll think about every time we pass these portraits -- just as millions of other visitors will do in the decades, and perhaps even the centuries to come.  I want to thank John Howard Sanden, the artist behind these beautiful works, for his efforts.  And on behalf of the American people, I want to thank most sincerely President and Mrs. Bush for their extraordinary service to our country. 

And now I’d like to invite them on stage to take part in the presentation.  (Applause.)

(Portraits are unveiled.)

PRESIDENT BUSH:  Thank you, sit down.  Sit down.  Behave yourselves.  (Laughter.)  Mr. President, thank you for your warm hospitality.  Madam First Lady, thank you so much for inviting our rowdy friends -- (laughter) -- to my hanging.  (Laughter.) 

Laura and I are honored to be here.  Mr. Vice President, thank you for coming.  We are overwhelmed by your hospitality.  And thank you for feeding the Bush family, all 14 members of us who are here.  (Laughter.)  I want to thank our girls for coming.  I thank Mom and Dad, brother, sister, in-laws, aunts and uncles.  I appreciate you taking your time.  I know you’re as excited as Laura and me to be able to come back here, and particularly thank the people who helped make this house a home for us for eight years, the White House staff. 

I want to thank Fred Ryan and the White House Historical Association and Bill Allman, the White House curator.  I am pleased that my portrait brings an interesting symmetry to the White House collection.  It now starts and ends with a George W.  (Laughter and applause.) 

When the British burned the White House, as Fred mentioned, in 1814, Dolley Madison famously saved this portrait of the first George W.  (Laughter.)  Now, Michelle, if anything happens there's your man.  (Laughter and applause.)  I am also pleased, Mr. President, that when you are wandering these halls as you wrestle with tough decisions, you will now be able to gaze at this portrait and ask, what would George do?  (Laughter.) 

I am honored to be hanging near a man who gave me the greatest gift possible, unconditional love -- and that would be number 41.  (Applause.)  I want to thank John Howard Sanden for agreeing to use his considerable talents to paint my likeness.  You've done a fine job with a challenging subject.  (Laughter.)

In the portrait, there's a painting by W.H.D. Koerner called, "A Charge to Keep."  It hung in the Oval Office for eight years of my presidency.  I asked John to include it, because it reminds me of the wonderful people with whom I was privileged to serve.  Whether they served in the Cabinet or on the presidential staff, these men and women -- many of whom are here -- worked hard and served with honor.  We had a charge to keep and we kept the charge.

It is my privilege to introduce the greatest First Lady ever -- sorry, Mom.  (Laughter.)  Would you agree to a tie?  (Laughter.)  A woman who brought such grace and dignity and love in this house.  (Applause.)

MRS. BUSH:  Thank you all.  (Applause.)  Thank you, everybody.  Thank you very much.  Thank you, darling.

Thank you, President and Mrs. Obama.  Thank you for your kindness and your consideration today.  It was really gracious of you to invite us back to the White House to hang a few family pictures.  (Laughter.)  And I’m sure you know nothing makes a house a home like having portraits of its former occupants staring down at you from the walls.  (Laughter.)

This is not the first time I’ve had the opportunity to confront an artistic likeness of myself.  A few years ago, just after the 2008 election, a friend sent me something he’d found in the gift shop of the National Constitutional Center in Philadelphia.  It was a Laura Bush bobblehead doll.  (Laughter.)  He said he found it on the clearance shelf.  (Laughter.)

But I’m flattered and grateful to know that this particular work has a permanent home.  And thanks to the masterful talent of John Howard Sanden, I like it a whole lot better than I do that bobblehead doll.  (Laughter.)

Thank you very much, John Howard Sanden -- you’re terrific to work with.  And thanks to Elizabeth and your family who have joined you today.  Thank you very, very much, John.  (Applause.)

And, of course, it’s meaningful to me as a private person to know that these portraits will be on view at the White House, that my portrait will hang just down the hall from my mother-in-law, and that George’s portrait will hang very close to his dad’s.  But what’s more meaningful is it’s meaningful to me as a citizen.  This was our family’s home for eight years.  It was our home, but it wasn’t our house.  This house belongs to the people whose portraits will never hang here, the ordinary and not-so-ordinary people whose lives inspired us and whose expectations guided us during the years that we lived here.

In this room are many of the people who stood by us as we faced the tragedy of September 11th, and who worked with us in the years after.  Thanks to each and every one of you for your service to our country.  (Applause.)

I hope others will see in this portrait what I see:  a woman who was honored and humbled to live in the White House during a period of great challenge, and who will never forget the countless American faces who make up the true portrait of that time.

Thank you all very much.  Thanks so much.  And thank you, Michelle, if you want to come up.  (Applause.)

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, I don't think we have enough tissue to go around.  (Laughter.)  Jenna and Barbara, they're just a mess.  (Laughter.)  But I want to thank President and Mrs. Bush for joining us today.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Laura for providing such a wonderful model of strength and grace for me to follow as First Lady.  It is an interesting job, and it’s just been amazing to learn from your example not just as a First Lady, but as a mother of two wonderful daughters.  You’re on the other side of where we hope to be -- (laughter) -- in a couple of years -- two daughters that sit up straight and cry when they’re -- (laughter) -- and think lovingly about their mom and their dad.  (Laughter.)  We’re working towards that goal, but you’ve done a terrific job.

And I also want to echo Barack.  We couldn’t be more thankful for the warmth and graciousness that both of you showed -- all of you showed -- our family when we moved in three years ago.  It is truly, truly a privilege for us to occupy this house.  And hopefully, we are setting the same example of warmth and love and hope that you all have provided as well.

The warmth is truly reflected in these portraits, and I promise you -- (laughter) -- I promise, I’m going straight for -- (laughter) -- and I’m sure it will be closer right down the stairs, and I’ll get right to it.

So I am thrilled for all of the White House visitors who will soon have the chance to enjoy them as well.  And I’m thrilled for both of you as you join these incredible Americans whose portraits are already displayed here at the White House. 

So congratulations again.  Congratulations on the work that you have done, the example that you have provided to this country, and what it means to be an American family.  We are so happy and proud and honored to be a part.

And with that, it is my pleasure to invite you all to join us for a reception right outside in the State Room.  Now it’s time to eat.  (Laughter.)  Thank you all so much.  (Applause.)

END
1:50 P.M. EDT

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Women Chart a New Course Onboard U.S. Navy Submarines

Posted by Brad Cooper on May 29, 2012 at 06:58 PM EST

In 2009, U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced that for the first time in Navy history, women would be assigned to serve aboard Navy submarines.

Yesterday, the first contingent of 24 women who completed the Navy’s nuclear submarine program met with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House. They were joined by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mark Ferguson.

Women Submariners Visit the White House 5 29 12

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet the U.S. Navy’s first contingent of women submariners to be assigned to the Navy’s operational submarine force, in the Blue Room of the White House, May 28, 2012. The 24 women were accepted into the Navy’s nuclear submarine program after completing an intensive training program and serve on ballistic and guided missile submarines throughout the Navy. Also attending were ADM Mark Ferguson, left, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, right. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) May 28, 2012.

The commitment by the Navy to put women on submarines has gone from idea to reality in just a few short years -- these women are now serving in a variety of important jobs aboard ballistic and guided missile submarines in the Navy's Atlantic and Pacific Fleets.

See more about Veterans, Women  

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
May 28, 2012

First Lady Named Sponsor of New Navy Submarine, USS ILLINOIS

Accepts Honor During Visit with First Female Navy Submariners

As part of the Joining Forces initiative to honor, recognize and serve military families, today at the White House President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama met with the U.S. Navy’s first contingent of women submariners to be assigned to the Navy’s operational submarine force. In 2009, U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced that for the first time in Navy history, women would be assigned to the submarine force. The 24 women who met with the President and First Lady today were accepted into the Navy’s nuclear submarine program after completing an intensive training program. They are serving on ballistic and guided missile submarines throughout the Navy. A photograph of the President, First Lady, Defense Secretary Panetta, Secretary Mabus and the women submariners can be found at this LINK.

As part of the visit to the White House, First Lady Michelle Obama accepted Secretary Ray Mabus’ invitation to serve as the sponsor of the future USS Illinois (SSN 786). Illinois is a Virginia-class submarine, the Navy’s newest class of attack submarine, and is being built in Groton, Connecticut and Newport News, Virginia. Illinois is expected to join the fleet in late 2015. In sponsoring USS Illinois, the First Lady joins a tradition of First Lady sponsorship of U.S. Navy submarines. First Lady Laura Bush is USS Texas’ (SSN 775) sponsor and christened it in 2004; First Lady Hillary Clinton is USS Columbia’s (SSN 771) sponsor and christened it in 1994. As sponsor, the First Lady will establish a special link to Illinois, her Sailors, and their families that extends throughout the life of the submarine.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as sponsor of the USS ILLINOIS,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “I’m always inspired by the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the Navy, as well as the families who support them. This submarine is a tribute to the strength, courage, and determination that our Navy families exhibit every day.” 

“Naval tradition holds that a sponsor’s spirit and presence guide the ship and her crew throughout the life of the ship,” said Secretary Mabus. “Illinois and her crew are blessed to have such a wonderful sponsor and I am grateful Mrs. Obama accepted my invitation to serve as sponsor for this submarine.”

First Lady Michelle Obama also serves as the sponsor for the recently commissioned Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, based in Alameda, California. The Coast Guard ship is named after Captain Dorothy Stratton, the director of the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve during World War II where she oversaw 10,000 enlisted women and 1,000 commissioned officers.

A Big Week for Joining Forces

Brad Cooper
Brad Cooper
May 25, 2012
12:20 PM EST

Through Joining Forces, Americans continue to step up and respond to the First Lady and Dr. Biden's call to serve our troops and their families as well as they have served us.

Last week, the Department of the Interior joined forces with the First Lady and Dr. Biden to provide free access to more than 2,000 of America's parks to our troops and their families. Then on Monday of this week, Blue Star Families and the National Endowment for the Arts launched "Blue Star Museums" --  laying out the welcome mat for free access at more than 1,600 museums around the country for service members and military families.

Connecting veterans and military spouses with employment opportunities in the private sector has been a priority for the First Lady and Dr. Biden,  and the effort is paying off. In the last year, more than 1,600 companies have hired more than 70,000 veterans and military spouses through Joining Forces.

Just last week, 34 more companies and organizations joined forces with the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), a partnership of more than 130 companies committed to hire and retain military spouses. Since June of last year, MSEP companies have hired more than 22,000 military spouses.

And the momentum keeps building. Check out Joining Forces employment efforts in just the last three days:

Related Topics: Defense, Veterans, Women, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Rhode Island, West Virginia, West Virginia

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
May 21, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at a Campaign Event

Progressive Field
Cleveland, Ohio

1:20 P.M. EDT
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, it is so beautiful in here!  (Applause.) We just need some hotdogs and a game.  (Laughter.) 
 
You all, thank you so much. 
 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Thank you!  (Applause.)
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you all.  You all keep us going.  I am beyond thrilled to be with all of you today.
 
I want to start by thanking Reverend Bigelow for that very kind and impassioned introduction, so we need to give her another round of applause.  (Applause.) 
 
I also want to take -- I want to take a moment to recognize County Executive Ed Fitzgerald and his wife, who are here.  I want to thank him and -- both of them for their leadership and for their service.  (Applause.)  We’re so glad that they could be here today, and proud of the work that they're doing.
 
And I want to give a big hello to Danielle for her remarks today, and for all the work that she's been doing on the campaign, as well.  (Applause.)
 
But finally, I want to thank all of you, truly, for taking the time out of your busy lives and your busy days to join us here today.  And I know that everyone is busy.  All of us, we have amazingly busy lives.  I know that folks have families to raise, they've got jobs to do.  But I also know that there’s a reason why so many of you have taken time out of those lives to be here today, and it's not just because we all support one extraordinary man –- (applause) -- and I am a bit biased.  (Laughter.)  But I think we've got a pretty phenomenal President.  (Applause.)   
 
And we're here not just because we want to win an election -- which we do.  We're here and we're doing this because of the values we believe in.  We’re doing this because of the vision for this country that we all share.  We’re doing this because we want our children -- all of our children -- to go to good schools -- those schools that push them, and inspire them, and prepare them for good opportunities in the future, right?
 
AUDIENCE:  Right.
 
MRS. OBAMA:  We want our parents and our grandparents to retire with dignity, because we believe that after a lifetime of hard work, in this country, they should be able to enjoy their golden years.  Small things. 
 
We want to restore that basic middle-class security for our families, because we believe that folks shouldn’t go bankrupt because someone gets sick; that folks shouldn’t lose their home because someone loses a job.  Not in America.  We believe, as Reverend Bigelow said, that responsibility should be rewarded, that hard work should pay off.  We believe that everyone should do their fair share but play by the same rules. 
 
And the truth is that these are basic American values.  This is the basics, the foundation of this country.  They’re the values that so many of us were raised with, including myself.
 
As many of you know, my father was a blue-collar worker, worked at the city water plant.  And my parents, my family, we lived in a little apartment on the South Side of Chicago -- mother still lives there.  And neither of my parents had the opportunity to go to college.  But what I tell folks is what they were able to do -- which is probably more important -- they saved and they sacrificed everything.  They poured everything they had into me and my brother because they wanted us to have the kind if education they could only dream of.
 
And while pretty much most of my college tuition came from student loans and grants, let me tell you, my Dad still had to pay a small portion of that tuition himself.   And every semester, he was determined to pay that bill right on time.  My dad -- like so many -- he was proud to be sending his kids to college, and he couldn’t bear the thought of me or my brother missing that registration deadline because his check was late.  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, his responsibilities to his family; to pay all of his bills and to pay them on time.
 
And the truth is, everyone, that more than anything else, that's what's at stake in this election.  That’s what we're working for.  That’s what we're fighting for.  It’s 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 binds us together in this country.  That’s what unites us.  It's what makes us who we are.  And from now until November, Cleveland, Barack needs all of you to get out there and tell everyone you know about our values and about our vision.  (Applause.)  They need to understand.  They need to know about everything that is on the line in this election.
 
You can start by telling them how Barack fought for tax cuts for working families and small businesses.  Why?  Because an economy built to last starts with the middle class, and with folks who are creating jobs and putting people back to work.  And remind people how, back when Barack first took office, remind them how this economy was losing, on average, 750,000 jobs every single month.  Remind them that that’s what he walked into.  That’s what he inherited. 
 
But also let them know that for the past 26 straight months, we’ve actually been gaining private sector jobs –- more than 4 million jobs in just two years.  They need to know that.  (Applause.)  Not everybody knows.  So while we still have a long way to go to build this economy, millions of people are collecting a paycheck again.  Millions of people like my dad are able to pay their bills again. 
 
You can also remind people about how so many folks in Washington were telling Barack to let the auto industry go under with more than a million jobs on the line.  You've got to remind them about that.  But Barack had the backs of American workers.  He put his faith in the American people and as a result, the auto industry is back on its feet again, and, more importantly, people are back to work, providing for their families again.  (Applause.)  Remind people about that.
 
You can tell people how, because we passed health reform, insurance companies will now have to cover preventive care -- have to.  Things like contraception, cancer screenings, prenatal care -- and they have to do it at no extra cost.  People have to understand that’s what that fight was for.  (Applause.)  And because of this reform, millions of our senior citizens have saved an average of more than $600 a year on their prescription drugs, and our kids, they can now stay on their parents’ insurance until they’re 26 years old.  (Applause.)  And as parents, we all know that that is how 2.5 million of our young people in this country are getting the health care they need.  Remind them. 
 
You can tell them about how Barack is working to raise standards in our public schools and make college more affordable for millions of our young people, so that by the end of this decade, more Americans will hold a college degree than any other country in the world.  Tell them about that vision.  (Applause.)  And also, you have to tell people about how Barack has been fighting so hard for the DREAM Act, because he believes that it is time to stop denying citizenship to responsible young people just because they’re the children of undocumented immigrants.  It is time.     
 
You can remind folks that Barack kept his promise and brought our troops home from Iraq.  (Applause.)  Remind them about that.  And also tell them about how our brave men and women in uniform finally brought to justice the man behind the 9/11 attacks.  (Applause.)  Remind them about that.  And 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."  (Applause.)
 
And again, as you know, it's now easier for women to get equal pay for equal work because Barack passed the very first bill he signed -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- (applause) -- because of that act, the first thing he did as President. 
 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Yes, he did.
 
MRS. OBAMA:  And they need to understand why Barack signed that bill.  He signed that bill because he knows that closing that pay gap, that can mean the difference between women losing $50, $100, $500 from each paycheck or having that money in their pockets to buy gas, or groceries, or put clothes on the backs of their kids.  And he did this because when women are now breadwinners for so many of their families, women’s success in this economy is the key to families’ success in this economy.  People have to understand the power of that.  (Applause.)  
 
And finally, don’t forget to tell people about those two brilliant Supreme Court Justices Barack appointed -- (applause) -- and how, for the first time in history, our daughters and sons watched three women take their seats on our nation’s highest court.  (Applause.)  First time in history.
 
And I could go on, and on, and on.  But all of this is at stake this November.  It's all on the line.  And truly, in the end, it all boils down to one simple question:  Will we continue the change we’ve begun and the progress we’ve made?  Or will we let everything we’ve fought for to just slip away?
 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  No!
 
MRS. OBAMA:  No, we know what we need to do.  We cannot turn back now.  We need to keep moving forward -- forward.   
 
And more than anything else, that is what we’re working for –- the chance to finish all the good work that we've started, the chance to keep fighting for those values that we believe in and that vision that we all share.  That’s what my husband has been doing every single day as President of the United States.
 
And what I want people to understand is that over the past three years -- and a half -- it's been a little while -- I’ve had the chance to see up close and personal what being President looks like.  I've seen it.  I’ve seen how the issues that come across a President’s desk -- let me tell you -- they are always the hard ones.  They're the problems with no easy solutions, the judgment calls where the stakes are so high and there is absolutely no margin for error.
 
And as President, you're going to get all kinds of advice and opinions from all kinds of people.  But at the end of the day, when it comes time to making that decision, a President, all he has to guide him is that life experience; his values, his vision.  In the end, when you’re making those impossible choices as President, it all boils down to who you are and what you stand for.  That’s what's so important. 
 
And the thing that I know, and we all know -- we all know who Barack Obama is, don't we?  (Applause.)  And we know what Barack Obama stands for, don't we? 
 
See, he’s the son of a single mother who struggled to put herself through school and pay the bills.  That’s who he is.  He’s the grandson of a woman who woke up before dawn every day to catch a bus to her job at the bank.  And Barack watched his grandmother worked hard to support his family, and she was good at her job.  But like so many women she hit that glass ceiling, and men no more qualified than she was were promoted up the ladder ahead of her. 
 
So what I want people to understand is that Barack knows what it means when a family struggle.  This is not a hypothetical for him.  He knows what it means when someone doesn’t have a chance to fulfill their potential.  And believe me, today, as a father, he knows what it means to want something better for your kids.  And those are the experiences that have made him the man, and, more importantly, the President he is today.  And that’s who we're fighting for.  That’s what we're working for.  (Applause.)
 
So when it comes time to stand up for American workers and American families, you know what my husband is going to do.  When there’s a choice about protecting our rights and our freedoms, you know where Barack is going to be, what he is going to do.  And when we need a leader to make those hard decisions to keep this country moving forward for everyone, you know you can count on him because that is what he’s been doing every single day as President of the United States.  And he has done a phenomenal job.  (Applause.)   
 
But I have said this before, and I will say it again and again:  he cannot do this alone.  That was never the promise.  Barack needs your help.  He needs you to do what you've been doing.  Make those phone calls, have those conversations.  Get out there, please, and register those voters.
 
He needs everyone in the range of this room and my voice, the people that you know, the lives that you touch -- all of you -- take those “I’m in” cards.  Get folks to sign up -- your friends, your neighbors, your colleagues.  Convince them to join you in just giving just a little part of themselves each week to this campaign.  It is well worth it.
 
And as Barack has said, this election will be even closer than ever before -- closer than the last one.  Understand that.  Don't get discouraged by it, just know it is going to be close.  And if you have any doubt about the difference that you will make, I want just you to remember that in the end, this could all come down to those last few thousand people who register to vote. 
 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  In Ohio.
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Those numbers.  It could all come down to those last few thousand folks that you help get to the polls on November the 6th. 
 
And I just want you to think for a minute about what those kind of numbers mean when they’re spread out over an entire state.  It might mean registering just one more person in your community -- just one more; might mean just getting one more person in your community out and voting on Election Day -- just one more.   
 
So with every door you knock on, with every person you pull into this fight, with every conversation that you have -- and the conversations are so important -- I just want you to have in your mind, just be thinking, this could be the one that makes the difference.  This could be the one that makes the entire difference that moves this country forward.  This could be it.  The conversation I'm having, the messages that I'm delivering -- this could be it. 
 
So there is no conversation that is unimportant.  There is no one that we can afford to have left out.  That is the kind of impact that each of us can have.  That is true. 
 
And I’m not going to kid you, this journey, it will be long, and it is going to be hard, and there will be plenty of twists and turns along the way.  But remember that that is how change happens in this country.  It always has and it always will.  But if we keep showing up, and if we keep fighting that good fight, doing what we know is right, staying true to our value and vision, then we always get there -- we always get there.  Maybe not in our lifetimes but maybe in our children’s lifetimes, maybe in our grandchildren’s lifetimes. 
 
Because in the end, Cleveland, that’s what this is all about.  That’s what I think about when I tuck my girls in at night.  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 so many other people did for us. 
 
I want to give them that foundation for their dreams.  I want to give them opportunities worthy of their promise.  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, Cleveland, we cannot turn back now.  Not now.  We have come so far, but we have so much more to do.
 
So I've got one last question to ask you:  Are you in?
 
AUDIENCE:  Yes!
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Are you -- no, you've got to be really in!  (Applause.)  Are you in this?
 
AUDIENCE:  Yes!
 
MRS. OBAMA:  It means rolling up your sleeves; you've got to roll them up.  And you're going to have the hard conversations.  You're going to find the people in your community who are not paying attention, who are a little bit confused, and you're going to shake them up.  And you're going to know that with every conversation, you could be making the difference for our future.
 
So I hope you all are fired up and ready to go, because I am so fired up.  (Applause.)  We have only just begun.  We have so much work to do.  (Applause.)  And I can't wait to get out there, to keep getting out there with you all on the campaign trail.  We're going to spend time in this state.  But this state is critical.
 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Yes, it is.
 
MRS. OBAMA:  So we're going to need all of you working hard in the weeks and months ahead. 
 
Thank you all.  God bless.
 
END               
1:40 P.M. EDT
 

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at Gary Comer Youth Center

Gary Comer Youth Center
Chicago, Illinois

12:56 P.M. CDT
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Wow.  Well, hello.  (Laughter.)  And thank you all so much.  Let me tell you, it is more than a pleasure for me to be here with all of you today at the Gary Comer Youth Center.  As Greg mentioned, as you know, I was born and raised right here on the South Side.  And I have to tell you, it really feels good to be home. 
 
And I want to start by thanking Greg for that very kind introduction and for his outstanding work as executive director for the center.  I remember when we first met, and he has been just rock solid from the very beginning, and you all are lucky to have him.
 
I also want to give a special thank you to Mrs. Francie Comer, and to Guy Comer, for being with us today and for carrying on Gary Comer's extraordinary legacy of service to this community.  (Applause.)  Thank you all so much.
 
And I also want to give a special hello, recognize 6 very special guests whom I've brought with me here today, my counterparts and distinguished women in their own right from Albania, Croatia, France, Norway, Turkey and the NATO headquarters.  They are visiting Chicago this weekend, as you know, for this year's NATO summit.  And I am obviously thrilled and proud to host them here in my hometown and in my backyard.  So let's give them a round of applause and a warm welcome.  (Applause.) 
 
And most of all, I want to recognize all of the extraordinary young people joining us today.  You all are amazingly impressive.  But we will also hear from the Soul Children of Chicago, who are here today.  We've got the South Shore Drill Team who's going to perform, as well as Mantu Dance Company in the house -- and I used to be on the board of Mantu, so I've got a little connection to some of everybody here today. 
 
And of course, we've got to thank the wonderful men and -- young men and women of the Gary Comer Youth Center.  You guys were so impressive today.  In every single aspect of this day, you represented yourselves, your school, your community, and your country in an outstanding way.  And you really have to know that you all are the reason why I'm here today, and you're the reason why I brought these very important ladies from around the world here to this center.
 
I brought them here because I wanted them to see just how amazing you all are.  That’s really it.  I want them to see you all.  I want those cameras to see you all.  I brought them here because I am so proud of where I grew up, and I wanted to show everyone some of the wonderful things that are happening here on the South Side.
 
Way back when I was just starting out in my career in Chicago, I ran a little organization called Public Allies, where we worked to train 30 young people each year -- many of them like you -- for careers in public service.  And since we started that program many years ago, leaders from that program have gone on to transform lives throughout this community and so many others not just here in Chicago, but around the country.  But there are some very special ones who are here today, and I got to meet three public allies who are working here right now -- Miguel Rodriguez, Maurice Wilson, and Sinya Hayes, who are here.  You guys -- are you here?  (Applause.)  Where are you?  That’s my public allies.  That’s like home.
 
This program was the reason -- one of the reasons why I left practicing law -- so you know I walked away from some money to do this work.  But Public Allies will always have a special place in my heart. 
 
I also remember back when this center was just an idea.  And it is really amazing to see this phenomenal facility.  I remember when it was just being built, and I can't begin to tell you how much it means to be here, seeing this thriving, inspiring, beautiful place just minutes from where I grew up -- a place where you all can come and learn and grow and pursue your dreams.  I hope you know how blessed you are.  And being here today, I see so much of myself in all of you young people.  I really do. 
 
I grew up just like you.  Same background.  My family didn’t have a lot of money growing up.  Neither of my parents had the opportunity to go to college, and most of the folks in my neighborhood didn’t get a chance to go, either.  And there were also well-meaning but sometimes misguided folks who questioned whether someone with my background could get into the kind of colleges that I dreams of attending.  And sometimes I'd save those folks the trouble and raise those questions of doubt in my own head; lying awake at night worrying about whether I had what it took to succeed.
 
But I decided to just focus, to push the haters out, to kick the doubters out of my head.  And instead, what I did was I worked really hard.  I focused all my energy on working hard.  I spent hours every day trying to get my homework done, wrestling with those math problems, writing and rewriting those papers over and over again.  We don’t like it, but that’s part of the process.  Studying, getting up early in the morning to study, because we lived in such a little-bitty apartment that it was hard to concentrate at night when everybody was awake, so often I woke up at 4:30, 5:00 in the morning just to study in quiet.  And eventually, I was accepted to Princeton University, and I went onto Harvard Law School.  (Applause.) 
 
And what I want you all to know is that with every acceptance letter I received, I realized that it didn’t matter where I was from, didn’t matter how much money my family had.  What mattered was how deeply I was willing to believe in myself.  Do you realize that?  It was all here.  What mattered was how hard I was willing to work.  And that’s something that I really want to emphasize with you all today.
 
You see, no one -- or maybe very few people are born smart.  You become smart through hard work.  No one is born a student or a doctor or a teacher or an astronaut.  You become those things by studying and practicing and putting in those long hours in the classroom and the lab, wherever it is. 
 
So today, you all, no matter what you have going on at home or in your life, no matter what challenges you all are facing, I just want to urge you all to invest yourself 100 percent in everything you do.  Invest yourself 100 percent in school, in classes.  Invest yourself 100 percent in these wonderful activities that you have here at the Comer Center. 
 
If you dream of being a reporter on the evening news, then get involved with the Free Spirit Media -- take advantage of that.  If you want to be a scientist, then get up on top of that roof and start studying those plants and working in that garden.  If you want to be a mayor, if you want to be senator, maybe -- if you want to be President of the United States, then get involved in these wonderful leadership programs that are here.  Embrace them.  Take advantage of them.
 
And no matter what you want to be, just know this:  You will always need a good education.  You will always need a good education.  There is no shortcut to that.  So work hard in school, you all, please.  Take this seriously.  Do your homework every night.  Don’t be "that kid," right?  Be the one that’s always prepared.
 
And remember this:  when you make a mistake, or fail a test, or struggle to understand something -- and you will -- that doesn’t mean that you're not smart.  It just means that maybe you need to work a little harder.  That is not a statement of who you are.  You have to remember, succeeding is not about being perfect.  All of us have failed -- and we have failed big.  It is about trying your hardest at every single thing that you do.  It's about using your mistakes as opportunities to learn.
 
So when you're struggling, talk to someone.  Make sure your teachers -- this is the same thing I tell my girls -- talk to your teacher.  Get some tutoring here at the Comer Center.  Never be afraid to ask for help -- never.  Because the truth is that no one succeeds all by themselves -- no one.  We succeed in part because of all those people who help us and believe in us along the way -- our families, our teachers, coaches.  All those folks who tell us that we're special, and that we're talented, and that we have a place in this world and we have so much to offer.  Take those voices in.
 
So none of you should ever have to go this alone.  And that is why it is so important for all of us in this country, in this world to support young people like you, like these young people, with centers like this.  This should be the standard for communities all around the world.  It is so important for us to come together as a country, as nations and help all of our young people fulfill every last bit of their potential. 
 
And more than anything else, that is why Mr. Comer built this center.  He built it because he believed in all of you, just like I believe in you, just like my husband, the President of the United States, believes in you all.  And everyone at this center believes in you.  Take that in. 
 
And all of us see how talented you are -- we could see that just today, just in the few moments that we had to be with you all, to hear your confidence.  We see you succeeding in school, we see you producing your own albums and choreographing your own dances.  We see you challenging yourselves to stay fit with sports and classes at the center; stay healthy.  You've even been growing your own garden -- which, by the way, is more than 5 times bigger than the garden at the White House.  I'm not hating on you -- (laughter) -- but you got us far outmatched.  Some of you even worked with a professional chef, Chef Paul Kahan, to cook a three course lunch for me and our special guests today.  How many young people can say that?  That you cooked for NATO spouses?  My goodness.  What a résumé. 
 
And if you all are this good now, just imagine how good you'll be if you keep on working and learning and studying.  Imagine everything that you'll be able to accomplish.  And when you make it -- because you will, and say that in your minds -- when you make it, when you get your diplomas and you're working in those good jobs, and you're starting your own businesses, raising your families, what I want you to do is reach back and help other kids do the same thing.  That’s your responsibility.  That’s what you give back.
 
I want you to build youth centers like this one.  Take your money and do this.  I want you to go into schools and share your stories, and inspire other kids to work as hard as you did.  And you don’t have to wait until you're an adult to start reaching back.  You can start mentoring and tutoring right now -- your siblings, your classmates, younger kids in the center.  Reach back now.  You don’t have to wait.  You can start doing for them what Mr. Comer has done for you.
 
And I want you to remember something that Mr. Comer once said about giving back to the South Side, where he grew up.  He said that he decided to focus on helping kids like you because, he said, "what could be more important than that?"  What could be more important than that? 
 
Nothing is more important than insuring that all of you have opportunities worthy of your promise.  That I agree with.  Nothing is more important than helping all of you pursue your dreams.  We know how much you all have to offer, and today, I want you to know that my husband and I, we are inspired by you.  We are inspired by you.  We are so proud of you all, and we just can't wait to see what amazing things you all do with your lives in the years ahead. 
 
So you've got to work hard.  The bar is high, right?  All right.
 
Thank you all.  God bless.
 
END
1:09 P.M. CDT