The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
October 17, 2011

Remarks by the First Lady at HealthierUS School Challenge Celebration

South Lawn

3:38 P.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA: Man, isn't that something? (Applause.) Hello everyone, and welcome to the White House. (Applause.) I am just thrilled that you all are here today. It's a beautiful day for a very special group of people. And we rolled out the red carpet for you all. Does it feel that way? Do you feel a little red-carpet-like? (Applause.)

Let me start by thanking Alex for that very kind and eloquent introduction. I mean, Alex, and the kids that we were -- that's the reason we are doing this. Just listening to his story, understanding that kids, when you teach them how to eat and how to exercise, they implement this stuff. We all know that. So we are so proud of Alex and the thousands of young people just like him that are improving their lives. They're changing the way they think about their health and they're trickling that information down to their families

We're just, Alex, so proud of you. Let’s give him a round of applause. (Applause.)

And of course, thank you to Becke for her remarks today and for the work that she's doing every day on behalf of our kids. She has the energy -- you can tell by just listening to her speak -- she could talk you into doing anything, pretty much. (Laughter.) But fortunately, she's used that power of persuasion and that passion to help improve the lives of the kids in her community. And for that we are grateful, Becke. Thank you so much. (Applause.)

And of course, I have to recognize our terrific Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary Vilsack. (Applause.) I love him dearly. He has been a tremendous partner on this effort. Everyone at the Department of Agriculture has stepped up. They were already doing the work, but they've just taken this and have run with it. We are proud of everything you have done, embracing this as you said you would. Secretary Vilsack, thank you. Thank you so much.

And I also have to recognize -- because we had some pretty good entertainment out here today, didn’t we? (Applause.) So much so that folks throughout the White House were calling up, asking, well, what country pop bands are out there playing? And I have to just say that, as usual, they are our very own. We have two wonderful bands -- the Marines' own Free Country, and the Navy's Country Current. You all fired it up. (Applause.) We love you. This is the -- one of the President's best perks of living in the White House -- (laughter) -- the bands that come and play. They can play anything. They've played with Paul McCartney. They've done tons of stuff. And you all did a fabulous job today, really setting the mood. And we are grateful.

But most of all, I want to thank all of you. This celebration is for you. We made it -- we said this before; we said we're going to set the challenge. And what we want to do is reward those who reached it by inviting them here. So this was something we had planned a long time ago. And it is just wonderful to see you all here and to celebrate this achievement. We are just so proud.

Because the fact is, in our movement to end the epidemic of childhood obesity in America, all of you -- our nation’s educators -- you are the unsung heroes. I get a lot of accolades and everybody is like, "First Lady, you're doing a great job." But you all are doing the real work on the ground. So much of what we’ve accomplished these past couple of years, so many of the victories that we’ve won for our kids have happened because of you.

They’ve happened because of your passion, because of your vision and, more importantly, because of your hard work. Because you all mobilized and organized, we passed historic legislation here in Washington to improve and provide more nutritious school meals to more of our children. We’re helping install salad bars in more than 800 schools, bringing fresh fruits and vegetables to hundreds of thousands of kids across this country. We created Chefs Move to Schools, signing up more than 3,000 chefs to help local schools improve their menus and to teach kids about healthy eating.

We’ve seen more than one million young people earn the President’s Active Lifestyle Award -- the PALA awards -- and that means they're exercising one hour a day, five days a week, for six consecutive weeks.

And now, because of all of you, we have met our goal to double the number of HealthierUS Schools within a year. Double the number. Excellent, you guys. (Applause.)

So what you all have accomplished here is very impressive, but, quite frankly, it is not at all surprising. It’s not surprising that folks like you are taking the lead on this issue. Because as educators, you see firsthand the impact that childhood obesity has on our children’s lives. You see it every day. Not just on their physical and emotional health, but on their academic success as well. You see this.

You know better than anyone that kids need time and space to run around before they can settle down and concentrate in a classroom. You know this. You know they need nutritious food in their stomachs before they can focus their brains on math and reading and science. You see it every day. And when many kids spend half of their waking hours and get up to half their daily calories at school, you know that with the food you serve and, more importantly, the lessons you teach that you're not just shaping their habits and preferences today, you’re affecting the choices they’re going to make for the rest of their lives.

That's why we start with kids -- right? We can affect who they will be forever. Alex is not going to forget what he's learned and he's going to pass that on to his kids. You’re affecting not just how these kids feed themselves, but how they’re going to feed their own children. So the beauty is, is that you’re not just making this generation of kids healthier, but the next generation as well. And that is truly, truly powerful stuff. (Applause.)

Now, I know that what you do isn’t easy. I mean, we're partying now but -- (laughter) -- it takes a lot of work to do what you do -- especially in these difficult economic times, when budgets are tight and you’re trying to do so much more with so much less. You're here without the extra money. You've accomplished these goals without the extra help. But you've done it because you've gotten pretty creative. And that's why we want to hold you up. You've done a lot with just a lot of creativity.

Let's take the Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School right here in D.C., right in our own backyard. Their chef and founder wrote, and this is a quote -- “We're not a rich school. Our funds are limited. So we asked for, and receive, a lot of help.” They work with a local non-profit and a supermarket chain to acquire donated equipment. They got money from the Recovery Act for a new refrigerator and some extra staff. They worked with a parent who owns a local farmer’s market. And today, their students empty out their salad bar every day at lunch. And that's something that people don't think will happen, right? Kids won't eat vegetables. Well, you see it. It's happened at this school. They're eating every last bit of broccoli and spinach and cauliflower in those salad bars.

And then there’s St. Tammany Parish, just outside of New Orleans, Louisiana -- (applause) -- where I had the privilege of visiting last year. Twenty-five of their elementary and middle schools have achieved the Gold Award of Distinction -- 25. (Applause.) And they’ve done it by doing a whole range of things. They set up student advisory councils that work with the food service staffs to help plan the menus -- so they're getting kids involved in the process. And students even help run nutrition education programs, teaching their peers about healthy eating.

And then there’s the Burlington Elementary School in North Dakota. This is happening all over the country. All over the country. They were the first school in that state to plant a school garden. And they've opened up their gym on the weekends, making an open gym for the families in their community. And the teachers eat breakfast and lunch with students every single day. Now, that's a sacrifice. (Laughter.) You know it. That's love. (Laughter.) They even send out a monthly newsletter called, “Nutrition Notes,” to provide healthy eating tips and recipes for the families.

And other schools have started running clubs and fitness competitions. You’ve engaged students in taste tests and recipe contests. You’ve incorporated nutrition education into subjects ranging from math and science and art. You’ve done it all.

So you’ve shown us that there is no one way to win this award. There's just no one silver bullet. You come from urban, suburban, rural communities. You come from schools that are big and small. Every school and every community is different. That we know. There is no one-size-fits-all solution here.

But there is one thing that all of you do have in common. And I think that Billy Reid, who is the director of Nutrition Services for the Salida Union School District in California -- he put it best. This is what he said. He said, “I find myself honored to wake up every morning…and go out and feed children.” It's as simple as that -- honored. The honor of feeding our children. (Applause.) And it's that commitment, it's that kind of commitment to our children’s promise -- right? This is our future. Our promise -- the determination to help them all succeed -- that’s something you all share. It's that passion.

And I've been out there visiting you, and it is real. You all are willing to do whatever it takes to help our kids. We love our kids -- all of them, every single one of them. And we want nothing but the very best. And this is the way we do it. And you all are doing it like nothing else.

So today, I just want to urge you to keep being the leaders that you are -- because you are truly leaders. That is why you're here. As Secretary Vilsack said, we want you to spread that love and that knowledge. We want you to share what you've learned. There are other schools who are just trying to figure out how they can be a part of this extraordinary club, and you all can do that. You can share your wealth. You can reach out, you can find the schools in your communities, in your states, and share what you've learned. Reach out and help other schools compete.

And I hope that you’ll also encourage one another. That's one of the reasons why bringing you all together here from all over the country -- pass out your cards, get some emails and some numbers. Because I know you get tired, right? I know sometimes it's frustrating. I know there's some things that can be better. You all can support one another.

And hopefully, today is the beginning of many, many excellent relationships that will continue to build. So get to know each other. Because this is a competition that every school in America can win. This isn't an exclusive club -- right? We want everyone involved. We want to double the double. We want every school in this country to be aiming for this kind of distinction. Because we know that when our schools win, our kids win. And when our kids win, our country wins. That's why we make this investment.

So thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm so proud of you all, so excited. Just keep doing what you're doing, and we'll be right there with you every step of the way.

Thank you all. God bless you all. And God bless America. (Applause.) I'm going to come down and shake some hands.

END
3:52 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
October 17, 2011

Remarks by the First Lady and Dr. Biden at Joining Forces Heroes at Home 1,000 Rebuild Event

New York Avenue Home Build Site
Washington, D.C.

11:57 A.M. EDT

DR. BIDEN: Thank you, David, for that introduction. And thank you for your continued work on behalf of our military families and veterans. And thanks, too, to Gary for all of the great work that Rebuilding Together is doing around the country to support veterans through projects just like this one.

And most of all, I want to thank Sergeant Johnny Agbi for welcoming us to his home today, and for this incredible commitment and service to our nation.

Sergeant Agbi, I know I speak for everyone here today when I say, you are a true hero. (Applause.) You and all of your fellow veterans and service members from across the country show us every day what words like "strength" and "courage" mean. And, of course, we're also grateful to your family members for their service to our country.

Projects like today's build represent some of the incredible ways that communities are coming together to support our veterans and military families all across the United States. And these projects, and all the partners and volunteers who make them possible, embody the spirit of the Joining Forces Initiative that the First Lady and I launched earlier this year.

So thank you to everyone for being here today. And now, it's my honor and a true privilege to introduce a true advocate for all of our veterans and military families -- my friend, our wonderful First Lady, Michelle Obama. (Applause.)

MRS. OBAMA: Good morning.

AUDIENCE: Good morning.

MRS. OBAMA: How's it going?

AUDIENCE: Good.

MRS. OBAMA: It's exciting. We're honored to be here. I want to thank Gary Officer from Rebuilding Together, and David Works from Sears Holdings for their leadership and for being here today. And of course, I want to thank my partner in crime, Jill Biden. We have done a lot together on this effort. We've traveled everywhere from North Carolina to Colorado to New Hampshire for Joining Forces. But I have to say it’s good to be right here in our own backyard, just a quick commute down the street.

And no matter where we are, one of our goals with Joining Forces is really to use what we have to shine a light not only on the incredible service of America’s military families who give our nation so much, but also on those Americans -- like all of you -- who are stepping up in so many important ways to give something back to these men and women and their families.

And that’s exactly what’s happening here today with these two wonderful announcements. First, we’re marking the 1,000th home that Sears and Rebuilding Together have refitted for our wounded warriors through the Heroes at Home Project. And that is a very impressive accomplishment and you all should be just so proud -- 1,000 homes. (Applause.)

And on top of that, Sears Holdings is pledging to increase the number of military family members in its workforce by 10 percent. I mean, that’s incredible. That's exactly what we're hoping to see happen. It means that more than 30,000 troops, veterans, and military spouses will be working at Sears. And it’s only the latest commitment that the Sears team has made. They have been working with us at Joining Forces since the very beginning. And we look forward to working with them even more, but more importantly, for them to serve as an example of how America’s businesses can look out for our heroes, particularly during these tough economic times.

And all of this is just amazing. It represents the best that our country has to offer. And just think about what those kind of numbers actually mean. Just think about the lives that are changed. Think about the renewed sense of security that each family feels because mom or dad just got hired; how the wounded warrior whose life is transformed by a refurbished home. Just think about what that new front door, that broader, wider front door means -- it's no longer an obstacle; the stairway that is no longer an adversary; the building that’s no longer just a house, but it's now become a home.

And then you take all that hope and all that change and you multiply it by 1,000. That’s what's happening here today. And that's why today is so big, and that's why Jill and I wanted to be a part of this very special day.

And that’s really what Joining Forces is all about. That’s what we were hoping to accomplish. Jill and I started this initiative to help marshal all of this country’s goodwill into something concrete -- something that folks like Johnny can feel in their daily lives. And let me tell you, from just briefly spending time with Johnny and his family, he is an amazing -- amazing -- young man deserving of everything that is happening here today -- kindness of spirit, a positivity. He’s got a strange sense of humor, too. (Laughter.) That’s good. I’m getting you back for that one. (Laughter.) He had us write on the wall, sign it, and then right when we were finished he was like, "Wrong spot." (Laughter.) It's very funny.

So we are grateful to Johnny and his family for all their service and sacrifice. And so, we’re also grateful for companies like Sears, organizations like Rebuilding Together, and more importantly, the volunteers like all of you who are here today for really leading the way, because none of this could happen without volunteers. I mean, I know you have been here for many, many weeks -- Johnny said many of you had become like family. And that’s really what this is all about.

And it’s important during this time to also highlight that each of you is giving back in a way that makes sense for you. And by that I mean Rebuilding Together already knows how to refurbish homes; they’re just figuring out how to do it for veterans. Sears needs effective, committed employees, so they’re turning that need into opportunity for thousands of veterans and military family members by hiring some of the most highly skilled, dedicated individuals this country has to offer.

And as we heard, this isn’t just about doing the right thing; it’s about doing what makes the best business sense. That’s why it makes sense. And for volunteers who have the time and the talent to give -- what you all are doing is directing all of that wonderful energy toward your neighbors and your fellow citizens who have given this nation so much.

So all of this is exactly the message of Joining Forces. We’re not asking anyone to do anything extraordinary. We’re not asking people to start a brand new organization, or to raise or spend millions of dollars. We just want everyone to ask themselves one simple question -- (baby starts to cry) -- now, he’s really cute. (Laughter.) And he’s been very good.

But we have -- we’re just asking people to ask one simple question, and that is: “What can I do?” That’s really the question out there -- “What can I do?” And then we need you to get out there and actually do it. And that’s what makes today so special.

But even with all the wonderful work going on here today, we also know that we’ve got so much more work to do. Today is not the finish line, even though it’s the 1,000th home. Instead, it’s a mile marker. Jill and I are not going to stop until every American -- every single American in this country -- is joining forces with our military families. Our hope, at the very least, is that these families know how much we appreciate their service. Sometimes it’s as simple as a thank you. Sometimes it’s as simple as a basic stop by to visit, go grocery shopping, to spend some time so that these individuals and their families know that their sacrifice was not in vain.

We want every single company out there -- every single one -- to figure out how they can do something, or do more. Every single organization, we want them to step up in some way. Every school, every faith community, and every citizen -- we want everyone to do something. Not something grand, just something. Anything to show the support in a way that is worthy of the strength, courage, and sacrifice of our troops and their families.

A day like today reminds all of us just how possible that goal is. This is happening everywhere, all over the country. And we just need to lift it up so that we remind ourselves how great we are as a nation, and how, when people fall on times when they need support, there are thousands of us -- millions of us -- ready to step up and lend a hand.

So I want to thank you all. Thank you, once again. Thank you for having us here at this glorious day. Thank you for your accomplishments and for your achievements. And thank you for being a model of what we want the rest of the country to do.

So Jill and I are going to keep joining forces, and we hope that you continue to do the same, and call on others in your neighborhoods and your families and your communities to do the same as well.

Thank you all, and congratulations. (Applause.)

END
12:08 P.M. EDT

President Obama at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication: "We Will Overcome"

Nikki Sutton
Nikki Sutton
October 16, 2011
08:48 PM EDT
President Obama and the First Family tour the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia, and Marian Robinson tour the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial before the dedication ceremony in Washington, D.C., Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Today, nearly half a century after Martin Luther King, Jr. led the historic March on Washington for equality, tens of thousands came to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication. The memorial to Dr. King has been open since August, but the dedication was delayed due to Hurricane Irene. As President Obama said, though delayed, "this is a day that would not be denied."

President Obama, joined by the First Family, toured the memorial and then spoke at the dedication ceremony in honor of Dr. King's work to make his dream a reality for all. During his speech, President Obama reminded us that the progress towards Dr. King's vision has not come easily and there is still more to do to expand opportunity and make our nation more just:

Our work is not done.  And so on this day, in which we celebrate a man and a movement that did so much for this country, let us draw strength from those earlier struggles.  First and foremost, let us remember that change has never been quick.  Change has never been simple, or without controversy.  Change depends on persistence.  Change requires determination.  It took a full decade before the moral guidance of Brown v. Board of Education was translated into the enforcement measures of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, but those 10 long years did not lead Dr. King to give up.  He kept on pushing, he kept on speaking, he kept on marching until change finally came. 

And then when, even after the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act passed, African Americans still found themselves trapped in pockets of poverty across the country, Dr. King didn’t say those laws were a failure; he didn’t say this is too hard; he didn’t say, let’s settle for what we got and go home.  Instead he said, let’s take those victories and broaden our mission to achieve not just civil and political equality but also economic justice; let’s fight for a living wage and better schools and jobs for all who are willing to work.  In other words, when met with hardship, when confronting disappointment, Dr. King refused to accept what he called the “isness” of today.  He kept pushing towards the “oughtness” of tomorrow.

And so, as we think about all the work that we must do –- rebuilding an economy that can compete on a global stage, and fixing our schools so that every child -- not just some, but every child -- gets a world-class education, and making sure that our health care system is affordable and accessible to all, and that our economic system is one in which everybody gets a fair shake and everybody does their fair share, let us not be trapped by what is.  We can’t be discouraged by what is.  We’ve got to keep pushing for what ought to be, the America we ought to leave to our children, mindful that the hardships we face are nothing compared to those Dr. King and his fellow marchers faced 50 years ago, and that if we maintain our faith, in ourselves and in the possibilities of this nation, there is no challenge we cannot surmount.

Related Topics: Civil Rights, Economy, Service

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
October 13, 2011

Remarks by Mrs. Obama and Madam Kim of the Republic of Korea at a Cultural Event at Annandale High School

Annandale High School
Annandale, Virginia

11:52 A.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA: Now, let me just start by saying, wow! Good morning, everyone, and --

AUDIENCE: Good morning!

MRS. OBAMA: What a wonderful program. Thank you, Principal Randazzo, for that very kind introduction and for hosting us here today.

I also want to thank all of the performers -- Jennifer Koh, the World Children’s Choir, our performers right here at Annandale High School. And, of course, I want to recognize our guest of honor, Madam Kim Yoon-ok of the Republic of Korea. (Applause.)

Madam Kim and her husband, President Lee, are here for a state visit, which gives us all an opportunity to celebrate the special bond between our nations. We may be on separate sides of the globe, but our two countries have so much in common -- from our commitment to freedom and democracy to the value we place on education. And -- please. (Applause.)

And education is what brings us here to Annandale. Now, a good education is about so much more than just learning geometry or memorizing dates in history. All of that is important, but an education is also about exploring new things -- discovering what makes you come alive, and then being your best at whatever you choose.

Now, Jennifer is a perfect example of just that. As a child, her parents signed her up for just about everything you could imagine: ice skating, swimming, ballet, rhythmic gymnastics. And some of these things she liked; others, not so much. But Jennifer kept exploring, and she soon found that her favorite of all was the violin. She practiced for hours, worked closely with her instructors, and now she is one of the best violinists in the world.

And that is what I want for every single student in this room. I want you to discover something that you love to do, and then become the best that you can be. Do not be afraid to work hard, to make a real investment in it -- because that’s how real learning, real fulfillment and real joy happens.

Now, along the way, you might need a little nudge in the right direction every now and then from a teacher or a parent. And sometimes that nudge can feel a little intense. But understand that they’re doing it because they want the best for you, too. They want you to be exposed to new things and to live happy and productive lives. And I know because I am a mom myself.

The President and I have not hesitated to expose our girls to new opportunities -– playing sports, taking up an instrument. Madam Kim has done the same thing -– and two of her daughters ended up studying music at one of the finest schools in the world. So your parents push you because we’ve seen how finding and investing in a passion can really pay off.

Those lessons hold true no matter how much money your parents have, no matter what you look like, no matter whether you were born in the United States, South Korea, or anywhere else in the world.

Just look at the stories of the Presidents of our two nations. My husband didn't start out at the top, but he worked hard and followed his passions to get where he is today. Madam Kim’s husband, President Lee, grew up in very difficult economic circumstances. All through high school he worked during the day and studied at night. He borrowed used books from a shopkeeper, and took a job as a garbage collector to pay his college tuition. He kept up that work ethic, and now he is South Korea’s President.

So whether it’s President Lee or President Obama, whether it’s Jennifer Koh, or anyone else who’s achieved any level of success, you will see the same qualities: passion, perseverance, and, most importantly, hard work.

My greatest wish for each of you is to take your education seriously, and challenge yourselves. Explore new classes. Audition for the school play. Write for the school paper. Take some risks. Try something new. And when you find something you like, then invest in it. Push yourself and commit to your own success.

You’re given so many incredible opportunities here at this school. There is so much diversity here, such breadth of experience in your student body. So this is the perfect place for you to find out who you are and what you want to become. And that’s really what education is all about.

So, good luck to all of you. Work hard. Stay out of trouble. (Laughter.) And thank you for hosting this wonderful event today, and for giving such a warm welcome to my friend and our nation’s guest, Madam Kim. (Applause.)

And now, it is my honor to introduce our guest of honor, my friend, Madam Kim. (Applause.)

MADAM KIM: (As interpreted.) Mrs. Michelle Obama; Mr. Vincent Randazzo, principal of Annandale High School; and dear students and parents; it’s my great pleasure to meet with you today. I would sincerely like to thank you all for the lovely and excellent performance and kindly inviting me to Annandale High School, which has a long history and tradition. The performance was indeed outstanding, but I was all the more impressed by it for I could feel the genuine passion of the students.

I understand that the students are of different races and have various backgrounds. I was also informed that students of Annandale High School come from as many as 90 countries around the world. And the World Children’s Choir also consists of members who come from different backgrounds and thus have different experiences. Nevertheless, you were able to generate a beautiful harmony and find melody with one chord.

I believe this is precisely the power of solidarity and integration that has made the United States to what it is today. (Applause.) The United States and Korea may have differences in history but is now moving forward together toward our common future with one mind sharing the same dream.

Dear students, you have reached an age when you will soon need to confront the world and make your way into the world by yourselves. This may make you feel afraid and anxious. The mother of Jennifer Koh, who performed the violin beautifully today, had escaped North Korea and now is a professor here in the United States. She has also successfully raised her daughter to become an outstanding musician. The Presidents of the United States and the Republic of Korea have also overcome the hardships and adversities during their school years and now have become the great leaders of our two countries.

Hope is still there, even when you can only see despair. You will be able to create hope at a time when you see no hope. Positive mind and courage will be the greatest asset that will guide and lead you throughout your life. I hope that all of the students here and the students in Korea will be able to live a life that is full of dreams and passion.

I would like to once again thank Mrs. Obama and Mr. Randazzo for organizing this meaningful event. The time I had here with you will be cherished in my fondest memories for a long time. I hope for your good health and happiness.

Thank you. (Applause.)

END
12:10 P.M. EDT

Watch Live: South Korea State Visit

Nikki Sutton
Nikki Sutton
October 13, 2011
08:50 AM EDT

This morning, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will welcome President Lee Myung-bak and First Lady Kim Yoon-ok of the Republic of Korea to the White House. Tune in to see events from the State Visit throughout the day beginning with the South Korea Arrival Ceremony at 9 a.m. EDT on WhiteHouse.gov/live.

Following the arrival ceremony, President Obama and Vice President Biden will hold a bilateral meeting with President Lee in the Oval Office. Meanwhile, the First Lady will visit a high school in Virginia with the Republic of Korea’s First Lady Kim Yoon-ok. The school, Annandale High, is home to one of the largest Korean-American communities in the area and has students derive from nearly 90 countries and speak over 50 languages. 

In the afternoon, President Obama will hold a joint press conference with President Lee. Later, the President and the First Lady will host a State Dinner in honor of President Lee, featuring produce from the White House kitchen garden fall harvest. During the dinner, President Obama and President Lee will each give a toast. Afterwards, the President and the First Lady will attend the State Dinner reception with President Lee in the State Dining Room. 

Related Topics: East Asia Pacific , Foreign Policy, Virginia

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
October 12, 2011

Remarks by the First Lady at 2012 DNC Dinner

Private Residence, Washington, D.C.

7:23 P.M. EDT

        MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you all.  Please rest yourselves.  (Applause.)  Good evening.  It is a pleasure and it is an honor to be here with all of you.  

        Tonight I want to start by thanking David for that very kind introduction.  Now, just to put a little context around Bishop Tutu, I begged him not to do pushups.  (Laughter.)  Because we were supposed to do this clinic with these kids, and I was -- because I was walking around with him -- I said, I'm not going -- you know me, I'm jumping and running.  I said, Bishop Tutu -- he's 85 or -- but you think, no, no, they want you to get in there, and I'm going to do it.  I begged the man.  And I said, this is just what I need, for Bishop Tutu to have a heart attack with me doing -- (laughter) -- so we dodged that bullet there and we had a wonderful time.  (Laughter.)  

        So, David, thank you.  And I want to thank Kathleen as well, and your wonderful family -- handsome, gorgeous, smart, accomplished.  Well done.  I'm hoping to be where you are in a few years.  Thank you all so much.  (Applause.)  And I know you got the rest of your crew here.  Thank you for opening up your home.  (Applause.)

        And I always have to acknowledge, although she's -- now she hides from me I see her so much -- is Jane Stetson, our outstanding DNC finance chair.  We see each other so often.  (Applause.)  Jane, you do not have to hide from me.  I'm really happy to see you.  (Laughter.)

        And also to Leslie Scott, Lesley and Gary -- you guys, thank you for all the hard work that you did on the host committee, pulling this event together.

        And finally, I want to thank all of you for taking your time -- is it Tuesday? -- on a Tuesday night.  (Laughter.)  It's hard to keep track, but it's Tuesday night.  Thank you for taking the time to come to this event.  

        I am thrilled to see so many new faces, but I'm also thrilled to see so many old friends, folks who have been with us from the very beginning, from all of the ups and downs, the twists and turns along the way -- and there have been many.  And I know there's a reason why you all are here tonight.  

        You're here because you know that we stand at a fundamental crossroads for our country.  You're here because you know that in just 13 months, we're going to make a choice that will impact our lives for decades to come.  And you're here because you care about your fellow citizens, and you care about our kids and our grandkids, and the world that we're leaving behind for them.  

        And believe me, that's why I'm here tonight.  That's why Grandma is at home with Malia and Sasha -- because my husband is out of town, you may have read.  (Laughter.)

        But I wouldn't be anywhere else.  And I will be working hard for the next 13 months.  Because as First Lady, I have had the privilege of traveling this beautiful, gracious country, meeting folks from all different backgrounds, and hearing what's going on in their lives.  Every day, I hear about the businesses they're trying to keep afloat.  I hear about the doctor bills they can no longer afford, or the mortgage they can't pay.  I hear about how they're taking that extra shift, or taking on that extra job.  How people in this country are saving and sacrificing, rarely spending a dime on themselves because they desperately want something better for their kids.

        And make no mistake about it, these struggles aren't new.  For decades now, middle-class folks have been squeezed from all sides.  The cost for things like gas, groceries, tuition, have been continuously rising, but people's paychecks just haven't kept pace.  So when the economic crisis hit, for far too many families the bottom just fell out.  And the question today is, what are we as a country going to do about all of this?  Where do we go from here?  

        And I know that amidst all of the chatter and the debates, it can be hard to see clearly what's really at stake.  These issues are complicated.  And unfortunately, folks' lives are busy -- we're raising our families, we're working full-time, many of us are helping out in our communities.  And many of us just don't have time to follow the news like we should, and to sort through all of the back-and-forth and figure out how it all connects to our daily lives.

        But the fact is that in just a little over a year from now, we are going to make a decision between two very different visions of this country.  And I'm here because when it comes to just about every single issue -- from our health to our economic security, to the quality of our schools -- the stakes for our families and for our country have never been higher.  

        Let's just start with the American Jobs Act that my husband just sent to Congress.  We have to understand that when we talk about this bill -- this bill will give tax cuts to 6 million small business owners.  We're talking about the people who run the restaurants and the stores and the startups that create two-thirds -- two-thirds -- of all jobs in this economy just this year.  What we're talking about, people who work themselves to the bone every day, then they head home at night, pore over the books trying to make those numbers add up.  We're talking about a tax cut that could mean the difference from these folks providing for their families or not; between hiring new employees or handing out pink slips; between keeping their doors open or closing up shop for good.  That's what's at stake here.

        We talk about how this bill would extend unemployment insurance for 6 million Americans.  We are talking about folks who are just weeks away from losing their only source of income. So this is literally about whether or not millions of our families and our children will have food on their tables, a roof over their heads.  It's about whether folks will have more money in their pockets, which means more money in our economy, which means more jobs.

        But more importantly, it's about whether we as a country will honor the fundamental promise that we made generations ago, that when times are hard, we do not abandon our fellow citizens. We don't do that.  That's not who we are.  (Applause.)  We do not let everything fall apart for struggling families.  Instead, what we say is, there but for the grace of God goes my family.  Instead, we remember that we are all in this together, and we extend a helping hand.  That is the choice in this election.

        And how about the very first bill my husband signed into law, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, to help women get equal pay for equal work -- (applause) -- the very first thing he did. He did this because, as he put it, we believe that here in America there are no second-class citizens in our workplace.  And he did it because he understands that when nearly two-thirds of women are breadwinners or co-breadwinners, women's success in this economy is the key to families' success in this economy.  You can't separate the two.  (Applause.)

        So closing that gap can mean the difference between women losing $50, $100, $500 from each paycheck, or having that money to buy gas and groceries, and to put school clothes on the backs of their kids.  That is the choice that we're making in this election.

        And let's just talk for a minute about health care.  Last year -- just last year, we made history together by finally passing health reform.  We did that.  (Applause.)  But now, there are folks out there talking about repealing this reform.  And today, we need to ask ourselves, are we going to just let that happen?  Will we let insurance companies deny us coverage because we have preexisting conditions, things like breast cancer, or diabetes?  Or will we stand up and say that, in this country, we won't allow our neighbors to go bankrupt because they get sick?  Who are we?  Will we let insurance companies refuse to cover basic preventative care, things like cancer screenings, prenatal care; things that save money, but more importantly save lives?  Or will we stand up for our lives?  Will we stand up for the lives of our children and our -- the people that we love?  That is what's at stake.  That is the choice in this election.

        And think for a minute about what this administration has done on education.  Think about the investments that have been made to raise standards and reform our public schools.  This is about nothing less than the circumstances, improving those for millions of children in our country.  Kids that we know today are sitting in crumbling classrooms.  Kids that we know have so much promise -- as much as our own kids -- who deserve so much, if only we would give them a chance.  

        Think about how we've tripled investments for job training at community colleges just this year alone.  It's about millions of hardworking folks who are determined to get the skills that they need for a better job, better wages.  Folks willing to do whatever it takes to improve their own lives.  That's what we ask of them.  These are folks working full-time, they're raising their kids, but they still make it to class every evening, study late into the night because they desperately want something better for their families.

        And make no mistake about it, this kind of investment in our kids, our students, our workers, will determine nothing less than the future of our economy.  It will determine whether we're prepared to make the discoveries and to build the industry that will let us compete with any country, anywhere in the world.  That's what's at stake.  

        And let's not forget what it meant when my husband appointed those two brilliant Supreme Court justices, and for the first time in history -- (applause) -- our daughters and our sons watched three women take their seat on our nation's highest court.  Let’s not forget the impact of those decisions, what that will have, how that will affect our lives for decades to come -- on our privacy and our security, on whether we speak freely, worship openly, and love whomever we choose -- that is what’s at stake.  (Applause.)  

        And think about how this administration is finally bringing our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan -- (applause) -- and we are helping those men and women, and their families, get the education, the employment, the benefits that they’ve earned.  And let’s not forget how, because my husband finally ended “don’t ask, don’t tell,” our troops will never again have to lie about who they are to serve the country they love.  Never again.  (Applause.)  

        And think about how we finally brought to justice the man behind the 9/11 attacks and so many other horrific acts of terror.  And think about what it finally means to have a foreign policy where we work to keep our country safe, yes, but also to restore our standing in the world.  That is what’s at stake in this election.

        So make no mistake about it, whether it’s health care or the economy, education, foreign policy -- the choice we make in this election will determine nothing less than who we are as a country, but more importantly who do we want to be.  Will we be a country that tells folks who have done everything right but who are struggling a little bit that, tough luck, you’re on your own? I mean, who are we?

        Or will we honor that fundamental American principle that I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper, and if one of us is hurting, then all of us are hurting?  Will we be a country where opportunity is limited to just the few at the top?  Or will we give every child a chance to succeed no matter where she is from or what she looks like or how much her parents make?  Who are we?  

        Will we lose sight of those basic values that made our country great and built our thriving middle class?  Or can we rebuild our economy so that work pays over the long term and responsibility is rewarded, and everyone gets a fair shake and everyone does their fair share.  Who are we?  I mean, that is the choice we face.  Those are the stakes, nothing less.

        But believe me, your President knows this.  He understands these issues, because he has lived them.  He was raised by a single mother who struggled to put herself through school and pay the bills.  And when she needed help, his grandmother stepped in, waking up every morning before dawn to take a bus to her job at the bank.  His grandmother worked hard and she was good at what she did.  But he watched how for nearly two decades she was passed over for promotions because she was a woman.  She watched men no more qualified than she was, men she actually trained, climb the corporate ladder ahead of her.  So believe me, Barack knows what it means when a family struggles.  He knows what it means when someone doesn’t have a chance to fulfill their potential.  And he knows all too well how, as a father, what it means to want your children to grow up with no limits on their dreams.  

        Those are the experiences that have made him the man and, more importantly, the President he is today.  And we are blessed to have him.  (Applause.)  

        But that’s what I hear in his voice when he returns home after a long day traveling around the country and he tells me about the people he has met.  That’s what I see in those quiet moments late at night after the girls have long gone to bed and he is still up, poring over briefings and the letters people have sent him -- the letter from the woman dying of cancer whose insurance company won’t cover her care; the letter from the father struggling to keep his family afloat and pay the bills; the letter from the young person with so much promise but so few opportunities.  

        And I hear the passion and the determination in his voice.  You won’t believe what folks are going through -- that’s what he tells me.  He says, "Michelle, this is not right.  We know better.  We’ve got to fix this.  We have so much more work to do."  See, what you have to know about your President is that when it comes to the people he meets, Barack has a memory like a steel trap.  He might not remember your name, but if he has had a few minutes with you and a decent conversation, he will never forget your story.  It becomes imprinted on his heart, and that is what he carries with him every day.  It is our collection of hopes and struggles, and our dreams.  That is where he gets his passion and his patience, his toughness and his fight.

        And that is why even in the hardest moments when it seems like all is lost and we’re all sweating it, believe me, Barack Obama never loses sight of the end goal.  He never lets himself get distracted by the chatter and the noise.  He just keeps moving forward.

        But I have said this before.  I said this in the last election.  He cannot do this alone.  No one man can.  I know I said that.  He needs your help.  He needs you to keep working, to keep up the terrific effort that you’ve put forth so far.  He needs you to do the hard stuff, making the calls and registering voters, getting young people involved.  He needs you to take those “I’m In” cards that I hope you all have and have already filled out and sign up -- they’re waving -- there they are.  (Laughter.)  

        But we need you not just to sign up, but to sign up your friends and your neighbors and your colleagues.  That’s how we did it before.  Convince them that joining in this effort and investing just a little part of their lives each week to this campaign will mean the world of difference for our country and our children.  

        But I’m not going to kid you, the next phase of this journey is going to be long and it is going to be hard.  And there will be so many twists and turns and frustrations along the way.  But the truth is that’s how change always happens in this country.  The reality is that change, real change is slow and it certainly doesn’t happen all at once.

        But what we have to remember is that if we keep showing up, if we keep fighting the good fight, if we keep doing what we know is right, then we always get there.  We always have.  Maybe not in our lifetimes, but maybe in our children’s lifetimes and our grandchildren’s lifetimes.  Because in the end that’s what this is all about.  In the end, we’re not fighting these battles for ourselves.  We are fighting them for our sons and our daughters, for our grandsons and our granddaughters.  We’re fighting for the world that we want to leave for them.

        And I’m not just in this as a mother who desperately wants to leave a legacy for my girls.  I’m in this as a citizen who knows what we can do together to change this country for the better.  (Applause.)  That’s for sure.  Because I have to be honest with you that no matter what happens in this election, my girls will be okay.  My girls are blessed.  They will have plenty of advantages and opportunities in their lives, and we are grateful every day for that.  And I know that is probably true for your kids and grandkids as well.  

        But I think the last few years have shown us the truth of what Barack Obama has always said, that if any child in this country is left behind, then that matters to all of us.  Even if he is not our daughter, even if she is not our son -- the other way around -- (laughter.)  If any family in this country struggles, then we cannot be fully content with our own family’s good fortune, because that’s not what we do in this country.  That is simply not who we are.

        In the end, we cannot separate our own story from the broader American story.  And like it or not, we are all in this together.  And that is a good thing.  And we know that here in America, we can shape our own destiny.  We know that if we make the right choices and have the right priorities, then we can ensure that everyone -- everyone -- in this country gets a fair shake and everyone has a chance to get ahead.  

        So we simply don’t have time for complacency.  We can’t afford to be tired or frustrated.  We don’t have the time.  It’s time for us to get to work.  So I have one last question before I go home to my children:  Are you in?  (Applause.)  Are you all really ready to work?  (Applause.)  Do you believe that this is worth fighting for?  Do you believe, as I do, that the stakes are much too high to sit back with our arms folded and let things fall as they may?  

        And if you do, I guarantee you Barack and I are more than fired up, more than ready to go -- more than willing to do the work.  

        We look forward to you joining us in this effort.  Thank you all so much again.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

END 7:47 P.M. EDT

Spielberg, Hanks and Winfrey Join Forces to Support Our Troops

Posted by Colleen Curtis on October 12, 2011 at 05:46 PM EDT

Watch a Joining Forces PSA featuring Tom Hanks, here.

Three of the biggest stars in America are lending their voices to Joining Forces, the initiative started by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr.Jill Biden to bring attention to the unique needs and strength of America’s military families. Tom Hanks, Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg have each created public service announcements (PSAs) that tell real stories about America's military families and call on all Americans to give back to ensure service members and military families have the support they have earned.

"The entertainment community answered the Joining Forces call and has done what they do best -- bring to life stories that move us," said Mrs. Obama. "Through this PSA campaign, Americans will learn more about the unique challenges and needs of our military families, see their strength, resilience and service, and find out how they can give back to these extraordinary troops and families who have given us so much."

The project was conceived by Academy Award-winning producer Bruce Cohen, who leads the Inter-Guild Joining Forces Task Force, an entertainment industry coalition that provides creative and production support for Joining Forces. Each of the PSAs tells the story of a military family  as they endure the hardship of a deployment overseas. The PSAs will be airing on A + E, CBS, NBC,  ABC, FOX, and WB networks.

Dr Biden, whose son served in Iraq, said, "As a military mom, I know just how much it means when people reach out to show their support for our service members and their families. The first lady and I hope that this campaign will inspire more Americans to take action and reach out to military families in their own communities around the country."

Watch a Joining Forces PSA featuring Oprah Winfrey, here. 

Watch a Joining Forces PSA featuring Steven Spielberg, here. 

See more about Veterans, Working Families  

First Lady Michelle Obama Leads Jumping Jacks for the World Record

Nikki Sutton
Nikki Sutton
October 12, 2011
12:11 PM EDT

Ed. Note: Cross-posted from the Let's Move! blog.

First Lady Michelle Obama leads Jumping Jacks to help break the Guinness Record

First Lady Michelle Obama leads a group of 400 local children on the South Lawn of the White House to help break the Guinness World Records title for the most people doing jumping jacks in a 24-hour period, Oct. 11, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Yesterday, something special happened. People around the world joined together towards the same goal: to set a Guinness World Record® for the most people doing jumping jacks in a 24-hour period. The challenge was to have more than 20,000 people from around the world do jumping jacks for one minute.

Joined by National Geographic Kids Magazine, First Lady Michelle Obama had the chance to launch the effort to break the record from the South Lawn of the White House:

I get to do a lot of cool things, but this is really exciting.  I never thought in my entire life that I would be here today to break a Guinness World Record.  Woohoo!  And I’m here doing it with all of you and that makes it even more fun, because the whole country -- the world is going to see just how much fun we can have not just breaking a world record but also doing some exercise, right? Because that’s one of my big things.  “Let’s Move” is about kids eating healthy and moving and staying active, so you all are ready for life and for all the challenges that you’re going to face.

And what we’re going to show people today is that moving is fun, right?  You can do it just dancing around in your backyard. You can get moving if you’re walking your dog.  Or you can get moving doing some jumping jacks, right? There are so many ways to keep moving.

Related Topics: Healthy Kids

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
October 11, 2011

Remarks by the First Lady at 2012 DNC Reception

Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, D.C.

6:17 P.M. EDT

        MRS. OBAMA:  Ah, this is a good group!  (Laughter.)  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you so much.  It is a pleasure and an honor to be here with all of you.  Tonight you're looking good.  (Laughter.)  

        AUDIENCE MEMBER:  You look good!  (Applause.)

        MRS. OBAMA:  Well, let me start.  I just want to say a few thank-yous.  I want to start by thanking my dear, dear friend, and everybody should know by now, Terri was my mentee in college -- Terri Sewell -- Congressman Sewell -- for her leadership, for her service, and for taking the time to be here.  Tonight we've got to give her a round of applause.  She's doing a terrific job representing her state.  (Applause.)

        I also want to recognize Spencer -- Spencer is out there -- Antilla and Shaundra, thank you all for all of your work on the host committee for this event.  And I know that there were many, many more who worked on putting this together.  This means so much to us, and I know it takes a lot of hard work from a lot of busy people.  But I want to thank all of you, finally, for joining us here tonight.

        I am thrilled to see so many new faces.  But I am also thrilled to see so many old friends -- the folks who --

        AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you.

        MRS. OBAMA:   Love you, too.  (Applause.)

        They're the folks who have been with us since the very beginning, through all of the ups and downs along the way -- and there have been many.  And I know there is a reason why all of you are here tonight.  You're here because you know that we stand at a fundamental crossroads for our country.  You're here because you know that in just 13 months -- and it might be 12, but I lose track, it's coming soon -- (laughter) -- we're going to make a choice that will impact our lives for decades to come.

        And you're here because you care about your fellow citizens, and I know everybody here cares about our kids, about our grandkids, and a world that we're leaving behind for them.  

        And quite frankly, that's why I'm here tonight.  That's why I left Malia and Sasha with Grandma -- (laughter) -- to come here to be -- because my husband is out of town.  (Laughter.)  

        As First Lady, I have had the privilege of traveling all across this country, meeting folks from all different backgrounds and hearing what's going on in their lives.  And every day I hear about the businesses they're trying to keep afloat.  I hear about the doctor bills they can't pay, or the mortgage they can no longer afford.  I hear about how folks are taking that extra shift or working that extra job, how they're saving and sacrificing and never spending a dime on themselves, because they desperately want something better for their kids.

        And make no mistake about it, these struggles are not new.  For decades now, middle-class folks have been squeezed from all sides.  Cost for things like gas and groceries and tuition have been rising, but people's paychecks just haven't kept pace.  So when this economic crisis hit, for too many families the bottom just fell out.                 

        So the question today is what are we as a country going to do about it?  Where do we go from here?  And I know that amidst all the chatter and the debates, it can be hard to see clearly exactly what's at stake here.  These issues are complicated, and quite frankly, folks are busy raising our families, working full-time jobs, many of us helping out in our communities.  And many of us just don't have the time to follow the news like we should, or sort through the back-and-forth and figure out how all this stuff connects to our daily lives.

        But the fact is that in just a little over a year from now we're going to make a decision between two very different visions for this country -- very different.  And I'm here tonight because when it comes to just about every issue -- from our health to our economic security, to the quality of our schools -- the stakes for our families and for our country have never been higher.

        Let's start with the American Jobs Act that my husband just sent to Congress.  (Applause.)  Let's start there.  When you think about it, when we talk about this bill --

        AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Pass that bill!  

        MRS. OBAMA:  That's right, pass that bill.

        This bill will give tax cuts to 6 million small business owners.  We're talking about folks who run the restaurants and the stores and the startups that create two-thirds -- two-thirds -- of all jobs in this economy each year.  

        We're talking about people who work themselves to the bone every day, then head home and pore over those books late into the night, determined to make those numbers add up.  We're talking about a tax cut that can mean the difference between providing for their families, or not.  Between hiring new employees, or handing out pink slips.  Between keeping those doors open and those businesses, or closing up shop for good.  That's what's at stake here.

        When we talk about how this bill would extend unemployment insurance for 6 million Americans, we are talking about folks who are just weeks away from losing their only source of income.  So this is literally about whether or not millions of our families and children are to have food on their tables and a roof over their head.  

        It's about whether folks will have money in their pockets, which, in turn, means money in our economy, which means more jobs.  And it's about whether, as a country, we will honor that fundamental promise -- a promise that we made generations ago that when times are hard we do not abandon our fellow citizens.  We don't do that.  (Applause.)  We do not let everything fall apart for struggling families.  (Applause.)

        Instead, in this country we say, there but for the grace of God goes my family.  That's what we say.  (Applause.)  Instead, we remember that we are all in this together.  And we extend a helping hand.  That is the choice in this election.  

        And how about the very first bill my husband signed into law -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- (applause) -- to help women get equal pay for equal work.  Now, he did this because, as he put it, we believe that here in America there are no second-class citizens in our workplace.  And he did it because he understands that when nearly two-thirds of women are breadwinners or co-breadwinners, women's success in this economy is the key to families' success in this economy.  You can't separate those two things.  (Applause.)

        So closing that pay gap can mean the difference between women losing $50, $100, $500 from each paycheck, or having that money to buy gas and groceries and school clothes on the backs of their kids.  That is the choice that we have in this election.

        Let's talk for a minute about health care.  Well, in the last year -- just last year -- we made history together, by finally passing health reform.  (Applause.)  We did that together.  That's a done deal.  (Applause.)  But now there are folks out there talking about repealing this reform.  And today, we need to ask ourselves, will we let them succeed?  Is that what we should do?

        AUDIENCE:  No!

        MRS. OBAMA:  Will we let an insurance company deny us coverage because we have preexisting conditions like breast cancer or diabetes?  Or will we stand up and say that, in this country, we won't allow folks to go bankrupt because they get sick?  Who are we?  (Applause.)

        Will we let insurance companies refuse to cover basic preventative care?  Things like cancer screenings, prenatal care, that save money, but more importantly, saves lives.  Or will we stand up for our lives and for the lives of the people we love?  Who are we?  That is what's at stake here.  That is the choice in this election.  

        And think for a moment about what we've done on education.  And think about the investments we've made to raise standards and reform our public schools.  It's about improving the circumstances for millions of our children in this country.  I mean, kids we know are sitting in crumbling classrooms -- kids we know who have so much promise; kids who could be anything they wanted if we just gave them a chance.  (Applause.)  

        I mean, just think about how this President has tripled investments for job training at community colleges just this year.  And this is about millions of hardworking folks who are determined to do what it takes to get the skills they need to better themselves -- better jobs, better wages.  Folks who will do anything that it takes.  These folks aren't lazy; they're ready to get involved.  (Applause.)  These folks work full-time jobs, they're raising their kids, but they still make time to go to class at night, study late into the evening because they desperately want to do something to better their lives and their families.  

        And make no mistake about it, this investment in our students and in our workers will determine nothing less than the future of our economy.  It will determine whether we're prepared to make the discoveries and to build the industries that will let us compete with any country, anywhere in the world.  That's what's at stake here.

        And let's not forget that -- what it meant when my husband appointed those two brilliant Supreme Court justices.  (Applause.)  And for the first time in history, our daughters and our sons watched three women take their seats on our nation's highest court.  (Applause.)  And we cannot forget the impact that the decisions will have on our lives for decades to come -- on our privacy and our security, on whether we can speak freely, worship openly, and love whomever we choose.  That's what's at stake in this election.  (Applause.)

        And think about how we are finally bringing our troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.  (Applause.)  And more importantly, we're helping them and their families get the education, the employment and the benefits that they have earned.  And let's not forget how, because we finally ended "don't ask, don't tell" -- (applause) -- our troops will never again have to lie about who they are to serve the country they love.  

        Think about how we finally brought to justice the man behind the 9/11 attacks and so many other horrific acts of terror.  (Applause.)  And just think about what it means to finally have a foreign policy where we work to keep our country safe, but also  -- also restore our standing in the world.  That is what's at stake in this election.  (Applause.)

        So make no mistake about it -- whether it's health care, the economy, education or foreign policy, the choice we make in this election will determine nothing less than who we are as a country, and who we want to be.  

        Who are we?  Will we be a country that tells folks who've done everything right, but are struggling a little bit -- will we tell them, tough luck, you're on your own?  Who are we?  Or will we honor that fundamental American belief that I am my brother's keeper, that I am my sister's keeper -- (applause) -- and if one of us is hurting, then all of us are hurting?  Who are we?  (Applause.)  

        Will we be a country where opportunity is limited to just the few at the top?  Or will we give every child -- every child  -- a chance to succeed, no matter where she's from, or what she looks like, or how much money her parents are?  Who are we?  That's what's at stake here.

        Will we lose sight of those basic values that made our country great and built a thriving middle class?  Or can we rebuild our economy for the long term so that work pays and responsibility is actually rewarded, and everyone -- everyone -- in our country gets a fair shake and does their fair share?  Who are we?  (Applause.)

        That is the choice we face.  Those are the stakes.  But believe me, my husband knows this all too well.  He understands these issues because he's lived them.  He was raised by a single mother struggling to put herself through school and pay the bills.  And then when she needed help, who stepped in?  His grandmother -- waking up every morning before dawn to take a bus to her job at the bank.  And she worked hard, his grandmother; she was good at what she did.  But for nearly two decades, she was passed over for promotions.  Why?  Because she was a woman.  She watched men no more qualified than she was -- men she had actually trained -- climb the corporate ladder ahead of her.

        So Barack knows what it means when a family struggles.  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 your child to grow up with no limits to their dreams.  I mean, those are the experiences that have made him the man and the President that he is today, and we are blessed to have him.  (Applause.)  

        That is what I hear in his voice when he returns home after those long days traveling around the country, and he tells me about the people he's met.  That's what I see in those quite moments late at night, after the girls have gone to bed, and he's still up poring over the letters people have sent him.  The letter from the woman dying of cancer whose insurance company won't cover her care.  The letter from the father struggling to pay his family’s bills.  The letter from the young person with so much promise and so few opportunities.

        And I hear the passion and the determination in his voice.  You won’t believe what these folks are going through -- that’s what he tells me.  He says, "Michelle, this is not right.  We’ve got to fix this.  We have way too much more work to do."  (Applause.)  See, what you all have to remember is that when it comes to the people that he meets, Barack has a memory like a steel trap.  It messes me up sometimes.  (Laughter.)  I mean, he might not remember your name, but if he has had a few minutes and a decent conversation with you, he will never forget your story.

        It becomes imprinted on his heart.  And that is what he carries with him every day.  It’s our collection of hopes and struggles and dreams.  And that is where Barack Obama gets his passion.  That’s where he gets his toughness and his fight.  And that’s why, even in the hardest moments when it all seems lost and we’re sweating it -- trust me, Barack Obama never loses sight of the end goal.  He never lets himself get distracted by the chatter and the noise.  He just keeps moving forward.  (Applause.)  

        That is who your President is.  But I have said this before -- and many of you have heard me say this -- I will say it again. He cannot do this alone.  That was never the promise.  That was never the deal.  (Applause.)  He needs your help.  He needs you to keep up the terrific work that you’ve been doing.  He needs you to make those calls and to register those voters.  That will make the difference.  

        And he certainly needs you to take those “I’m In cards you got and sign up, and turn them back in.  And then, work and get your friends and your neighbors and your colleagues, convince them to join you in giving just a little part of your life each week to getting this country where we know it should be.  (Applause.)  That’s what he needs from all of you.

        But I’m not going to kid you, the next phase of this journey is going to be long and it is going to be hard.  Is she okay?  See, that’s always a problem -- standing up in heels.  (Laughter.)  But, hopefully, she’ll be fine.  

        But this journey is going to be long and we have to understand that.  It’s going to be hard.  It is going to be complete with so many twists and turns along the way.  But the truth is -- and we have to remember this -- that is how change always happens in this country.  That is nothing new.  We all know that.  The reality is that real change is slow and it doesn’t always happen all at once.  But if we keep showing up, if we keep fighting the good fight, if we keep doing what we know is right, then we always get there.  We always get there.  (Applause.)  Maybe not in our lifetimes, but maybe in our children’s lifetimes, or our grandchildren’s lifetimes.  

        Because in the end that’s what this is all about.  In the end, we are not fighting these battles for ourselves.  We’re fighting them for our sons and our daughters, for our grandchildren, yes.  We’re fighting for the world we desperately want to leave for them.  

        And I’m not in this just as a mother who wants to leave a legacy for my children.  I’m in this as a citizen who knows what we can do together to change this country for the better.  (Applause.)  Because the truth is no matter what happens, my girls will be okay.  My girls are blessed.  They will have plenty of advantages and opportunities in their lives and we thank God every day for that.  And that’s probably true for a lot of your families as well.

        But I think the last few years have shown us the truth of what Barack Obama has always said, that if any child in this country is left behind, then that matters to all of us.  Even if she is not our daughter, even if he is not our son, that is our child.  (Applause.)  If any family in this country struggles, then we cannot be fully content with our own family’s good fortune, because that is not what we do.  In this country, that is not who we are.

        In the end, we cannot separate our own story from the broader American story.  Like it or not, we are all in this together.  And that is a good thing.  And we know that here in America, we can shape our own destiny.  We know that if we make the right choices and have the right priorities, we can ensure that everyone gets a fair shake and a chance to get ahead.

        So we cannot afford to be complacent.  We can’t afford to be tired or frustrated.  We don’t have time for that.  It is time to get to work.  So let me ask you one final question:  Are you in? (Applause.)  No, really, are you in?  Because I am.  (Applause.) I am in.  And I’m going to work my tail off to make sure that we keep this country on the right track.  And I hope all of you are fired up and you’re ready to go.  You’re ready to roll up your sleeves and work harder than ever before.  We’re going to need you every single step of the way.

        Are you in?  (Applause.)  Thank you all.  God bless.  (Applause.)

END 6:39 P.M. EDT

Passing the American Jobs Act is "Common Sense"

Nikki Sutton
Nikki Sutton
October 11, 2011
04:22 PM EDT

Marlena Clark

Last month, President Obama introduced the American Jobs Act, a plan to to put more people back to work and put more money in the pockets of working Americans, to a special joint session of Congress. Marlena Clark from Maryland watched the President's address from the First Lady's box as a guest of Dr. Jill Biden. When asked what she thought of the President's plan, Clark said, "passing the jobs bill is just common sense."

A couple years ago, Clark was working multiple minimum wage jobs, including cleaning houses, to put herself through school so she would have a chance at a brighter future. The first person in her family to go to college, she attended her local community college where she was involved in a mentoring program focused on retaining women in IT careers and had an internship at a local IT company. Now a graduate of Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), Clark is working as a full-time systems engineer at the company where she interned, supporting the sales team and customers with networking solutions.

Clark plans to continue her education and get a bachelor's degree and she knows the American Jobs Act would help her reach her goal. The Jobs Act, which will cut payroll taxes in half next year for 160 million workers, will make her goal more affordable: The typical American family will take home an additional $1,500 in 2012 if this tax cut is approved.

Clark explained why she believes it is so important to pass the American Jobs Act, "the same struggles I went through are what so many other Americans are going through...all of us are going to benefit from it. I hope they go ahead and pass this jobs bill because people need jobs now."

 See how the American Jobs Act will impact others:

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See what mayors are saying about the American Jobs Act

Related Topics: Economy, Maryland