The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 16, 2012

Remarks by the President at Medal of Honor Ceremony to Specialist Leslie H. Sabo, Jr.

East Room

3:26 P.M. EDT 

THE PRESIDENT: Please be seated. Thank you, General Rutherford. Good afternoon, everyone. We gather today to present the Medal of Honor for valor above and beyond the call of duty. In so doing we celebrate the soldier, the life that produced such gallantry -- Specialist Leslie H. Sabo, Jr.

Today is also a solemn reminder that when an American does not come home from war, it is our military families and veterans who bear that sacrifice for a lifetime. They are spouses, like Rose Mary, who all these years since Vietnam still displays in her home her husband’s medals and decorations. They are siblings, like Leslie’s big brother George, who carries the childhood memories of his little brother tagging along at his side. And they are our veterans, like the members of Bravo Company, who still speak of their brother Les with reverence and with love.

Rose, George, Bravo Company, more than 100 family and friends -- Michelle and I are honored to welcome you to the White House. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that America can bestow. It reflects the gratitude of the entire nation. So we’re joined by members of Congress and leaders from across our armed forces, including Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta; Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Sandy Winnefeld; from the Army, Secretary John McHugh and Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno; and from the Marine Corps, the Commandant, General Jim Amos.

We’re honored to be joined by Vietnam veterans, including recipients of the Medal of Honor. And we’re joined by those who have carried on Les’s legacy in our time, in Iraq and Afghanistan -- members of the 101st Airborne Division, the legendary “Screaming Eagles.”

This gathering of soldiers, past and present, could not be more timely. As a nation, we've ended the war in Iraq. We are moving towards an end to the war in Afghanistan. After a decade of war, our troops are coming home. And this month, we’ll begin to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, a time when, to our shame, our veterans did not always receive the respect and the thanks they deserved -- a mistake that must never be repeated. And that’s where I want to begin today, because the story of this Medal of Honor reminds us of our sacred obligations to all who serve.

It was 1999, around Memorial Day, and a Vietnam vet from the 101st was at the National Archives. He was doing research for an article. And there, among the stacks, an archivist brought him a box. And he took off the lid. And inside, he found a file, marked with the name “Leslie H. Sabo, Jr.” And there it was -- a proposed citation for the Medal of Honor. And so this Vietnam veteran set out to find answers. Who was Leslie Sabo? What did he do? And why did he never receive that medal? Today, four decades after Leslie’s sacrifice, we can set the record straight.

I just spent some time with Rose and George and the Sabo family. Last week marked 42 years since Les gave his life. This soldier, this family, has a uniquely American story. Les was actually born in Europe, after World War II, to a family of Hungarian refugees. And as the Iron Curtain descended, they boarded a boat for America and arrived at Ellis Island, past the Statue of Liberty. They settled in the steel town of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. Les’s father worked hard, pulled his family into the middle class. And when Les was a teenager, the family went to the county courthouse together, raised their hands and became proud American citizens.

They say that Les was one of the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet. He loved a good joke. He loved to bowl -- he could have given me some tips. (Laughter.) Rose says he was pretty good-looking, too. That’s what I hear.

He’d do anything for anybody. And when George went to college, Les looked after their mom. When George went to night school, Les helped care for his three young sons. When Les fell in love with Rose -- who couldn’t wait to start a life together -- he slipped the ring on her finger, right there in his car, while stopped at a red light. (Laughter.) And as he headed out for Vietnam, he stopped at a shop and ordered some flowers -- for his mom, for Mother’s Day, and for Rose, for her birthday.

For Les and Bravo Company, those early months of 1970 were a near constant battle. Pushing through jungles and rice paddies in their heavy packs. Enduring incredible heat and humidity. The monsoon rains that never seemed to stop. An enemy that could come out of nowhere and then vanish just as fast. For his bravery in battle, Les earned the respect of his comrades. And for his family, he wrote home every chance he could.   

When American forces were sent into Cambodia, Bravo Company helped lead the way. They were moving up a jungle trail. They entered a clearing. And that’s when it happened -- an ambush. Some 50 American soldiers were nearly surrounded by some 100 North Vietnamese fighters. Said Les’s comrades: “The enemy was everywhere” -- in bunkers, behind trees, up in the trees, shooting down. And they opened up on them.

And Les was in the rear -- and he could have stayed there. But those fighters were unloading on his brothers. So Les charged forward and took several of those fighters out. The enemy moved to outflank them. And Les attacked and drove them back. Ammo was running low. Les ran across a clearing to grab more. An enemy grenade landed near a wounded American. Les picked it up and he threw it back. And as that grenade exploded, he shielded that soldier with his own body.

Throughout history, those who have known the horror of war -- and the love behind all great sacrifice -- have tried to put those emotions into words. After the First World War, one soldier wrote this: “They are more to me than life, these voices, they are more than motherliness and more than fear; they are the strongest, most comforting thing there is anywhere: they are the voices of my comrades.”

And those were the voices Leslie Sabo heard that day: his comrades -- pinned down, at risk of being overrun. And so, despite his wounds, despite the danger, Leslie did something extraordinary. He began to crawl straight toward an enemy bunker, its machine guns blazing. Those who were there said the enemy zeroed in with everything they had. But Les kept crawling, kept pulling himself along, closer to that bunker, even as the bullets hit the ground all around him.

And then, he grabbed a grenade and he pulled the pin. It’s said he held that grenade and didn’t throw it until the last possible moment, knowing it would take his own life, but knowing he could silence that bunker. And he did. He saved his comrades, who meant more to him than life.

Leslie Sabo left behind a wife who adored him, a brother who loved him, parents who cherished him, and family and friends who admired him. But they never knew. For decades, they never knew their Les had died a hero. The fog of war, and paperwork that seemed to get lost in the shuffle, meant this story was almost lost to history.

And so today we thank that Vietnam vet who found Les’s files in the Archives and who was determined to right this wrong -- that's Tony Mabb, who joins us here today. Where's Tony? Tony, thank you. (Applause.)

We salute Les’s buddy, George Koziol, who, wounded in his hospital bed, first drafted the citation we’ll hear today and who spent the last years of his life fighting to get Les the recognition that he deserved.

And most of all, we salute the men who were there in that clearing in the jungle. More than two dozen were wounded. Along with Les, seven other soldiers gave their lives that day. And those who came home took on one last mission -- and that was to make sure America would honor their fallen brothers. They had no idea how hard it would be, or how long it would take.

Instead of being celebrated, our Vietnam veterans were often shunned. They were called many things, when there was only one thing that they deserved to be called -- and that was American patriots. In two weeks, on Memorial Day, Michelle and I will join our Vietnam veterans and their families at The Wall to mark the 50th anniversary of their service. It will be another chance for America to say to our Vietnam veterans what should have been said when you first came home: You did your job. You served with honor. You made us proud. And here today -- as I think Les would have wanted it -- I’d ask the members of Bravo Company to stand and accept the gratitude of our nation. (Applause.)

So yes, this Medal of Honor is bestowed on a single soldier for his singular courage. But it speaks to the service of an entire generation, and to the sacrifice of so many military families. Because, you see, there is one final chapter to this story.

You’ll recall that as he shipped out to Vietnam, Les stopped at that flower shop. Well, the day he gave his life was Mother’s Day. And on that day the flowers he had ordered arrived for his mom. And the day he was laid to rest was the day before Rose’s birthday. And she received the bouquet he had sent her -- a dozen red roses. That’s the kind of guy -- the soldier, the American -- that we celebrate today.

Les’s mother and father did not live to see this day. But in his story we see the shining values that keep our military strong and keep America great. We see the patriotism of families who give our nation a piece of their heart -- their husbands and wives, their sons and their daughters. And we see the devotion of citizens who put on the uniform, who kiss their families goodbye, who are willing to lay down their lives so that we can live ours in peace and in freedom.    

No words will ever be truly worthy of their service. And no honor can ever fully repay their sacrifice. But on days such as this we can pay tribute. We can express our gratitude. And we can thank God that there are patriots and families such as these. So on behalf of the American people, please join me in welcoming Rose for the reading of the citation. (Applause.)

MILITARY AIDE: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3rd, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to Specialist Four Leslie H. Sabo, Jr., United States Army for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

Specialist Four Leslie H. Sabo, Jr. distinguished himself by conspicuous acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty at the cost of his own life while serving as a rifleman in Company B, 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division in Se San, Cambodia, May 10th, 1970.

On that day, Specialist Four Sabo and his platoon were conducting a reconnaissance patrol when they were ambushed from all sides by a large enemy force. Without hesitation, Specialist Four Sabo charged an enemy position, killing several enemy soldiers. Immediately thereafter, he assaulted an enemy flanking force, successfully drawing their fire away from friendly soldiers and ultimately forcing the enemy to retreat. In order to re-supply ammunition, he sprinted across an open field to a wounded comrade. As he began to reload, an enemy grenade landed nearby. Specialist Four Sabo picked it up, threw it, and shielded his comrade with his own body, thus absorbing the brunt of the blast and saving his comrade’s life. 

Seriously wounded by the blast, Specialist Four Sabo nonetheless retained the initiative and then single-handedly charged an enemy bunker that had inflicted severe damage on the platoon, receiving several serious wounds from automatic weapons fire in the process. Now mortally injured, he crawled towards the enemy emplacement and, when in position, threw a grenade into the bunker. The resulting explosion silenced the enemy fire, but also ended Specialist Four Sabo's life.

His indomitable courage and complete disregard for his own safety saved the lives of many of his platoon members. Specialist Four Sabo’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness, above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his life, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

(The Medal of Honor is presented.) (Applause.)

   THE PRESIDENT: I want to thank everybody for their attendance. Please give another round of applause to the Sabo family. (Applause.) I hope that everybody enjoys the reception. I hear the food is pretty good around here. (Laughter.)

   God bless you. God bless our troops. God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)  

 END        3:46 P.M. EDT

 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 16, 2012

Remarks by the President at Roundtable with Small Business Owners

Taylor Gourmet
Washington, D.C.

10:44 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, listen, what I just want to say to the reporters who are here:  You've got three small businesses who are outstanding examples of American entrepreneurship, whether it's food services, retail, construction.  All across the country, you're seeing examples of folks who have confidence in the economy and have confidence in America, and it's their ingenuity and their hard work that's allowed them to be successful. 

But organizations like the SBA have also made a difference, because sometimes private financing isn't willing to take a chance on a couple of young guys who have an idea about starting a great hoagie shop.  Sometimes, it may be that a smaller business like a construction business where it's relatively capital intensive is going to have difficulty competing with some of the larger companies in terms of buying the equipment that they need.

And so actions by Congress and good execution by the Small Business Administration can make a big difference in helping these folks see -- it's not going to do it for them, it's not going to make up for bad service or a bad product, but when you've got a great service or a great product and people are willing to work really hard, then action by government and the SBA can help give them a hand up and get them started. 

And this is the reason why we think it's so important for Congress to act right now.  The economy is recovering, but we've still got a long way to go.  Too many folks are still out of work.  We’ve got some headwinds, the situation in Europe, and still a difficult housing market. 

And so we want to sustain momentum.  And one of the ways that we can sustain momentum is for Congress to take some actions right now -- even though it’s election season, even though there’s gridlock, even though there’s partisanship -- take some actions right now that would really make a difference.  And we’ve put together a handy “To-Do” list; it’s very short.  I’ve been talking about it over the last couple of weeks. 

One of the items on that “To-Do” list would be to provide tax breaks for companies like these that are hiring new employees or raising the wages and salaries of their existing employees.  Either way, what that does is it gives them an incentive as their expanding to say, maybe we hire an extra two people.  Maybe we hire an extra three people.  Maybe we hire an extra ten people. 

And they will have additional resources to continue to grow and to continue to expand.  It’s something that in the past has been an idea that garnered support from Democrats and Republicans.  There’s no reason why we shouldn’t act on that right now, the same way that we should be allowing all families to refinance, because if they’ve got an extra $3,000 in their pocket, then they can buy more hoagies or go shop for some outstanding organic foods. 

And it’s the same reason why all the other items on the “To-Do” list could really make a difference.  For example, some of these small businesses may be interested in hiring a veteran, and we’ve already done a lot of work on veterans hiring.  A lot of the items on the “To-Do” list is a Veterans Job Corps that could potentially put some veterans who are coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan to work rebuilding America. 

So my message to Congress -- and I’m going to have a chance to see the congressional leadership when I get back to the White House -- I’m going to offer them some hoagies while they’re there -- is let’s go ahead and act to help build and sustain momentum for our economy.  There will be more than enough time for us to campaign and politick, but let’s make sure that we don’t lose steam at a time when a lot of folks like these are feeling pretty optimistic and are ready to go.

All right.  Thank you, everybody.

END               
10:50 A.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at a Let's Move! Event with MLS Cup Champion L.A. Galaxy

State Dining Room

3:12 P.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA:  Hey, again, guys.  I got to hang out with the kids earlier.  We got quick pictures, but we are excited to have you guys here at the White House.  We’re in the State Room.  The State Dining Room is where we greet special official guests, and you guys count as our special official guests.  We’re excited to have you here.

I want to start by thanking all of you kids for joining us here at the White House today.  Tell me -- yell out -- tell me the organizations you’re representing -- somebody?  See, you guys are from all over the place -- some here, some from all over the country, right?

Well, thanks for coming and visiting us.  I also want to thank the members of the L.A. Galaxy soccer team for taking the time to come and answer some questions, and share some wisdom and some advice for all of you.  So let’s give them a big round of applause.  (Applause.)

So as soccer players, you know who these guys are, don’t you?

CHILDREN:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  They’re pretty cool, right?  They are some of the best soccer players in the entire country and the entire world.  Amazing, huh?  And they’re here!  They’re right there, they’re right there.

And I want to congratulate them -- join in with my husband in congratulating them on winning the third MLS Cup.  Very cool, very cool. 

But one of the things I want you guys to remember -- all the kids here to remember, is that these stars were not born superstar athletes.  They weren’t superstar soccer players from the beginning.  In fact, many of them started out just like many of you -- playing on a team at school, or just kicking a ball around on the playground with their friends.  But they stuck with it.  And I tell this to my girls all the time.  I mean, you get to the point when there are things that you enjoy, they get to the point where they start getting hard -- that’s when you know you’re getting good, and you have to stick through it even when it starts getting hard. 

For some of you, soccer has always been fun, will always be fun, but sometimes, when you start growing, you get to the point where you really have to work hard.  Well, they all hit that wall, and they stuck with it.  They practice for hours every day doing all their drills and scrimmages, doing everything that their coaches and mentors told them to do.  And that’s how they got to be national champions.  But remember, they didn’t do all of this just because they wanted to win their games.  Winning is great, right?  We all know how to win.  Winning is the easiest thing in the world to do.  But what is the toughest thing?  Is learning how to lose, right?

So they didn’t do it just to win.  They didn’t do it because they wanted to grow up to be famous.  They played soccer because they love the sport.  And they played because it was challenging and fun, and because it made they feel strong and healthy.  And that’s what sports like soccer are all about.  And they’re learning about new skills.  They’re learning how to compete.  They’re learning how to lose gracefully, how to win with dignity.  All of that stuff is important with sports. 

And that’s one of the reasons why when the weather is nice -- because it was raining; we were supposed to be outside, but they said there were would be thunderstorms.  We’re usually outside.  We’ve been hosting all kinds of fitness activities and clinics on the South Lawn.  Have some of you guys participated in those?  Nobody has had -- I thought -- we’ve had -- (laughter) -- yes, we’ve had some fun on the South Lawn.  We were supposed out there today, but because they projected thunderstorms, we thought we wouldn’t have you out there getting struck by lightning.  That wouldn’t look good.  (Laughter.)  So we brought you inside.

But we’ve been hosting these clinics on the South Lawn, which is our backyard here at the White House, because we want to show kids just like you that there are all kinds of ways to be active, and that being active is also a whole lot of fun.  So a lot of what we do while there are soccer drills and things like that going on, we’re doing a lot of playing around and laughing, and realizing that that’s what being healthy is about.  It’s not always work; most of the time it’s a lot of fun.

And that’s also why in connection with the Olympic and Paralympic Games that are coming up -- you guys know about that?  You know that we’re going to be in London competing with teams all across the world.  You know that?  And I’m going to be leading the delegation.  I’m not playing a sport or anything -- (laughter) -- I am not an Olympian.  But I get to lead the delegation that represents the United States. 

But as part of the Olympic Games, the U.S. Soccer Federation has made a really important commitment that I got to announce yesterday.  They’re going to be working to help increase opportunities for kids to get involved in a whole variety of sports, especially soccer.  Soccer has really stepped up. 

They’re going to be hosting more clinics and more after-school programs in cities all across the country so that more kids like you get exposure to opportunities that maybe normally you wouldn’t, or it gives you even a little more excitement to get even more committed into your sport. 

Because the Federation also knows and these guys up here know that being active and learning new skills doesn’t just help you become a better soccer player or a better athlete.  It gives you the energy that you need to keep you from getting sick, to do well in school, to be able to focus on your bigger dreams -- because there is life after soccer.  There is something more important than sports, and that’s becoming a well-rounded person.

And being healthy and eating the right foods, and staying active is a part of that.  And that’s what everybody here is trying to promote.  And that’s why I’m so pleased with our U.S. Olympic Federation and all the teams that have made a commitment to invest in kids like you across the country. 

So that’s one of the reasons why we’re here.  But we’re also here because this team, these guys, they wanted to talk to you.  They’re here because they were getting congratulations from the President, but they also said they wanted to talk to kids just like you.  And I’m really pleased that you guys are so interested in taking the time not just to play the game but to spend time with young people, talking to them about a whole range of things.  So they are here for you. 

And I’m going to leave and let them step up.  But feel free to ask them any kind of questions.  And I’ve already talked to you all -- you all are not shy.  None of them are.  Right?  So speak up, ask questions.  Ask about anything you have on your mind.  Don’t be nervous.  You’re at home.  And have fun, okay?  And keep playing hard, working hard, doing well in school, and eat your vegetables.  (Laughter.)  All right? 

All right, I’m going to get out of here and let these guys take over.  Thanks so much.  (Applause.)

END
3:19 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2012

Remarks by the President Honoring the 2011 MLS Cup Champion L.A. Galaxy

East Room

2:12 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Everybody, please have a seat.  Have a seat.  Well, welcome to the White House, everybody.  And congratulations to the L.A. Galaxy on your third MLS Cup.  (Applause.)  Number three.   

Before we start, I want to acknowledge an L.A. native and my outstanding Secretary of Labor -- I don't know how her game is, but she's a fan.  Hilda Solis is here.  (Applause.)  We’ve got some proud members of the California delegation, the House of Representatives who are here.  We're thrilled to have them. 

I’m not going to flatter myself by assuming these cameras are for me.  (Laughter.)  I want to thank the Galaxy for letting me share in the spotlight.  (Laughter.)  The truth is, in America, most professional soccer players have the luxury of being able to walk around without being recognized.  But not these guys.  This is the Miami Heat of soccer.  (Laughter.)  And together, they represent one of the most talented lineups that MLS has ever seen.

You’ve got Robbie Keane, all-time leading scorer of the Irish national team.  (Applause.)  Cousin of mine.  (Laughter.)  Robbie arrived halfway through last season, scored his first goal in the first 21 minutes of his first game.  His teammates were so happy to have him that they filled his locker with what they called the "pleasures of Ireland" -- Guinness, Bailey’s, and Irish Spring.  (Laughter.)  Hopefully Robbie has broadened their horizons a little bit since then.

We also have a young up-and-comer on the team, a guy named David Beckham.  (Laughter.)  I have to say I gave David a hard time -- I said half his teammates could be his kids.  (Laughter.) We're getting old, David.  Although you're holding up better than me.  (Laughter.) 

Last year, at the age of 36, David had his best year in MLS, leading the team with 15 assists.  He did it despite fracturing his spine halfway through the season, injuring his hamstring the week before the championship game.  He is tough.  In fact, it is a rare man who can be that tough on the field and also have his own line of underwear.  (Laughter.)  David Beckham is that man.  (Laughter.) 

And then there’s the captain, Landon Donovan -- (applause)  -- who has done more for American soccer than just about anybody. Landon’s eye for the net, his will to win are legendary, and once again, he stepped up when his teammates needed him most.

After going undefeated at home last season, the Galaxy was struggling in the cold and rainy championship match.  But then, in the 72nd minute, David headed the ball to Robbie, who made a perfect pass to Landon, who chipped in the game-winner.  And that set off an all-night celebration in L.A. -- although my understanding is that David had to get up for carpool duty at 8 a.m. -- (laughter) -- so his day was ending a little early. 

So the big names came through in the clutch, but they didn’t do it alone.  For a group with so much firepower, this team shone on defense, recording 17 shutouts.  They were led by two local guys -- Omar Gonzalez -- give it up -- (applause) -- and      A.J. DeLaGarza -- (applause) -- who won a national championship at Maryland.  Now they've got another title to their resumes. 

And of course a lot of credit goes to Coach Bruce Arena.  He took this team from worst to first in just four years.  And I want to take this opportunity to apologize to Bruce.  When I called to congratulate him on winning the Cup, the team was in Indonesia; it was in the middle of the night.  Thank you for taking my call and acting like you actually wanted to talk to me. (Laughter.) 

So everyone who's a part of this club -- the staff, the players, the fans back in L.A. -- together you pulled off one of the toughest feats in team sports:  You lived up to the hype.  You combined star power, hard work; it paid off.  And I also want to thank you for doing a little Q&A with some of the younger players after we’re done.  As a soccer dad, I know you’ve inspired a lot of kids.  And today you’re giving them an experience that they will never forget. 

So, again, give a big round of applause to the L.A. Galaxy.  (Applause.)  Congratulations.  Best of luck this season.  (Applause.)
 
END             
2:20 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2012

Remarks by the President at the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service

U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.

11:25 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  Thank you, Chuck, for that very kind introduction.  Chuck is a proud police officer, he’s the proud parent of a police officer, and he has dedicated his life to law enforcement and their families.  So I want to thank him for his extraordinary service.

I want to recognize the entire Fraternal Order of Police and its leadership, including Jim Pasco, for all your work on behalf of those who wear the badge.  I’d like to recognize FOP Auxiliary President Linda Hennie, all the members of the FOP Auxiliary, members of Congress including Speaker Boehner, Congressman Hoyer, and Senator Leahy, as well as members of my administration.  And most of all, I want to acknowledge and thank the families of those who have fallen.  

As Scripture tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.    

Our country’s law enforcement officers use force when they have to.  They are well armed and they are well trained.  But they never forget that theirs is a mission of peace.  Their job is to keep the peace, to allow all of us to enjoy peace in our neighborhoods and for our families.  And today, with heavy hearts, we honor those who gave their lives in the service of that mission.  Their families are in our thoughts and prayers, as we remember the quiet courage of the men and women we have lost.
 
These are officers like Detective John Falcone, of Poughkeepsie, New York.  In February, Detective Falcone responded to a shot fired call on Main Street.  And when he arrived on the scene, he saw a man holding a gun with one hand, and a small child with the other.

In a situation like that, every instinct pushes us towards self-preservation.  But when the suspect fled, still holding the child, Detective Falcone didn’t think twice.  He took off in pursuit, and tragically, in the struggle that followed, he was shot and killed.  He is survived by his parents.

But there’s another survivor as well:  A three-year old child who might not be alive today had it not been for the sacrifice of a hero who gave his life for another. 

This willingness to risk everything for a complete stranger is extraordinary.  And yet, among our nation’s law enforcement officers, it is also commonplace.  Last summer, the North Platte River was running high near Douglas, Wyoming.  When a teenage girl got caught in the current, Deputy Bryan Gross, of the Converse County Sheriff’s Office, jumped in after her.

The girl was eventually pulled from the water, but Deputy Gross was swept away.  And he is survived by his wife, Amy.  Today, we remember a man who swore to protect his neighbors, and who kept that promise no matter what the cost.  
 
I suspect that at that moment, Deputy Gross wasn’t trying to be a hero; he was just doing his job.  You can find that bravery, the courage to do your duty, day in and day out, in so many officers across our country.

One of those officers was Deputy Sheriff Suzanne Hopper, from Clark County, Ohio.  Deputy Hopper was known as the “go-to person” in her department; no task was too large or too small.

And on New Year’s Day, 2011, Deputy Hopper arrived at a crime scene and began a preliminary investigation, just as she had done many times during her 12 years of service.  But as she was photographing evidence, a man opened the door of his trailer and fired at her with his shotgun, killing her.  And today, we remember not just a fine officer, but a wife, a mother, and a stepmother.
 
Like all those we honor today, Deputy Hopper is also survived by the fellow officers who she meant so much to, and who meant so much to her.  Last week, her childhood friend, Sergeant Kris Shultz, posted her flag at a memorial in Ohio.  He made a promise in her memory.  He said, “To honor her, we will keep going, and continue to do what we've done, no matter how hard it is at times.”

We will keep going.  There is no pledge that better honors the memory of those we have lost.  And there are no memories -- there are no words that better capture the unbreakable spirit of those who wear the badge.

Because even in the face of tragedy, I know that so many of you will return home and continue to do what you have always done.  Some of you will kiss your husbands or wives goodbye each morning, and send them out the door not knowing what might happen that day.  Some of you are children and parents, sisters and brothers, whose pride is mixed with worry.

And of course, there are the officers themselves.  Every American who wears the badge knows the burdens that come with it -- the long hours and the stress; the knowledge that just about any moment could be a matter of life or death.  You carry these burdens so the rest of us don’t have to.

And this shared sense of purpose brings you together, and it brings you to our nation’s capital today.  You come from different states and different backgrounds and different walks of life, but I know that you come here as a community:  one family, united by a quiet strength and a willingness to sacrifice on behalf of others.

The rest of us can never fully understand what you go through.  But please know that we hold you in our hearts -- not just today, but always.  We are forever in your debt.  And it is on behalf of all of us, the entire American people, that I offer my thoughts, my prayers, and my thanks.

May God shine a light upon the fallen and comfort the mourning.  May he protect the peacemakers who protect us every day.  And may he bless, now and forever, the United States of America.  (Applause.)

END               
11:33 A.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2012

Remarks by the President at a Campaign Event

Private Residence
New York, New York

5:56 P.M. EDT
 
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Well, first of all, let me thank Tony and Amie for hosting us here today.  Describing what it's like to have people move furniture out of six of your rooms -- (laughter) -- and I've been assured that it will all be put back where it was.  (Laughter.)
 
I want to thank all of you for being here.  And frankly, because this is a nice, intimate setting, I'm not going to spend a lot of time talking at the top; I want to spend most of the time answering your questions, taking your comments, having a conversation.
 
I tell you, though, I couldn't make the argument too much better than Tony just made it.  When I ran in 2008, it was based on the premise that America was built on the idea that anybody can make it if they try; that everybody gets a fair shot, everybody does their fair share, everybody plays by the same rules.  And that idea had been slipping away for too long.  So you'd seen a decade of sluggish job growth; incomes and wages had flatlined even as the cost of health care and college were going up.  And the question was, how do we restore that sense of balance?
 
Now, this is all before we had a sense that we were going to be experiencing the worst financial crisis and the worst economic crisis in our lifetimes.  And over the last three and a half years, obviously we have had extraordinary challenges -- challenges unlike any that we've seen.  And there are a lot of folks still hurting out there -- a lot of people who are still looking for work or underemployed; a lot of folks whose homes are still underwater; a lot of people who are fearful or anxious about the future.
 
But we've made progress.  The good news is, is that over the last two years we've created more than 4 million jobs -- a million jobs in the last six months -- close to the last six months alone.  We have been able to restore the greatness of the U.S. auto industry at a time when a lot of folks thought it would liquidate.  We've doubled clean energy production.  We've been able to start seeing manufacturing come back to our shores in a way that a lot of people hadn't anticipated.  The financial system, although it is still healing, is in obviously much better shape than it was back in 2007, 2008. 
 
So we've made some progress.  Now, the reason I'm running is we haven't made enough yet.  We still have a long way to go.  And this election is going to present as stark a choice in terms of visions for the future as any election that we've seen in a very long time.  I believe that the free market is the greatest wealth generator ever devised by man, and it's at the heart, at the core of who we are.  I think risk-takers and innovators should be rewarded.  I think all of us benefit from the freedom of free enterprise.
 
But if you look at our history, what we also realize is that what makes our markets work and what allows us then to go out and pursue our individual dreams is that there are some things we've done in concert.  There are some things that we've done as a common enterprise -- making sure that our schools are teaching our kids the skills that they need to compete in a new economy; making certain that we're investing in science and research so that the next medical breakthrough or the next great business idea takes root right here in the United States; making sure we're investing in roads and bridges and airports and broadband lines and wireless networks that allow -- that provide a platform for businesses and individuals to succeed; and making sure that we've got basic rules of the road in place so that the markets function in a transparent, clear way so that small investors have confidence if they invest on Wall Street they're not going to get bilked by somebody who has more information than them; that we make sure that our financial system is stable and that we're not going to tip over into a situation where, because of somebody's miscalculation or sometimes just because of panic, suddenly the whole system is at risk; making sure that we have a basic safety net so that seniors who have worked all their lives can count on Social Security and Medicare; that the most vulnerable among us are cared for through programs like Medicaid; and making sure that something like health care is not the luxury of a few, but is something that if people are playing by the rules and working hard they can count on, and they don't have to worry about losing their home because their child gets sick.
 
And in this campaign, what's going to be tested is whether that view, which says, yes, we believe in individual initiative and we believe in risk-taking and we believe in markets and entrepreneurship, but we also believe in doing some things together, because all of us prosper from that -- whether that's a better idea or the better idea is just, everybody is on their own; we slash taxes more for those of us who have been incredibly fortunate and blessed by this system; slowly those rungs on the ladder to upward mobility start to fray; people are left to fend for themselves.  There is a theory that that, somehow, is going to unleash the kind of growth that we imagine for this country.  And my argument is, is that we tried it and it doesn't work.  It's not good for the markets.  It's not good for business.  It's not good for consumers.  It's not good for our kids.  It's not good for our future.
 
And that's ultimately what this election is going to be about.  When you cut through all the other stuff -- there's going to be a lot of noise and a lot of day-to-day skirmishes and arguing -- but ultimately it's going to come down to, whose vision do you believe?  And I think we've got the facts and the evidence on our side.  And the fact that you're all here today tells me that you're interested in that same kind of vision -- one in which our kids succeed but, you know what, other people's kids succeed, too.  Because I think that will be a better America and a better world for our kids as well.
 
This is going to be a tough election.  This is going to be a close election precisely because there are folks out there who are still hurting.  But I'm pretty confident that if we work hard, if we stay true to that vision, that it's the one that the American people believe in as well.
 
So I'm grateful for your help.  I'm looking forward to your questions.  And I hope you are ready to get to work.  All right, thank you.  (Applause.)
 
END
6:04 P.M. EDT
 

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
May 14, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at a Campaign Event

Hilton Lincoln Centre
Dallas, Texas

4:12 P.M. CDT
 
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Wow!  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  See, now, usually when I come on stage I have to pull the mic up.  With Vince, one of the few people I have to pull the mic down for.
 
You all, thank you so much.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Let me tell you, I am beyond thrilled to be with all of you today.
 
Let me start by thanking Vince, not just for that kind introduction -- now, I feel bad now.  (Laughter.)  He was not with his mother to come introduce me.  I just love -- don’t you love him?   
 
AUDIENCE:  Yes!
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Let me tell you, my husband loves Vince Carter.  So he has just been amazing.  We are so proud of him not just for the athlete that he is, but for the citizen, the man, the father the role model.  Let's give him a round of applause.  (Applause.)
 
I also want to recognize a couple of other people.  Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson for her leadership -- who is here looking good -- and her service.  And I want to give a big shoutout to my dear friend and his family, Hall-of-Famer Emmitt Smith -- (applause) -- your family.  They are here.  They have just been amazing.  They brought their mentees with them, as well as their kids.  And they are just -- they have just been tremendous supporters and friends.  And I love you all so dearly.  I really do.
 
And finally, I want to thank all of you -- truly -- for taking the time out of what are I know busy lives to be with me today.  And I know that you all are here and busy, but I know you've got families to raise and jobs to do.  But there is a reason why you all have taken the time to be here, and it's not just because we all support one extraordinary man who is our President.  And I am biased.  (Applause.)  I think we have an amazing President. 
 
And it’s not just because we want to win an election -- which we do.  But we’re here because of the values we believe in.  We're here because of the vision for this country that we all share.  We’re doing this because we want all of our children to have good schools –- the kind of schools that push them, and inspire them, and prepare them for good jobs and an excellent future.  We want that for all our kids.
 
We want our parents and our grandparents to be able to retire with dignity because we believe that after a lifetime of hard work, these people who have given us everything should be able to enjoy their golden years.  (Applause.) 
 
We're here because we want to restore that basic middle-class security for all of our families because we believe that in America, folks shouldn’t go bankrupt because somebody gets sick, and that folks 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.  And we believe that everyone should do their fair share and play by the same rules. 
 
These are basic American values -- basics.  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 city worker, worked for the city water plant his entire life.  My father grew up -- my family grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a little-bitty apartment -- South Side!  South Side!  (Laughter.)  And neither of my parents had the chance to go to college. 
 
But let me tell you something they did do, which was just as important -- they saved and they sacrificed, and, let me tell you, they poured everything they had into me and my brother because they wanted us to have 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 had to pay a small portion of that tuition himself.  And every semester, he was determined to pay his portion on time.  My Dad was so proud to be sending his kids to college, and he could not bear the thought of me or my brother missing that registration deadline because his check was late.  Like so many people that we all know in this country, my father took great pride in being able to earn a 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.  That’s what gave him a sense of being.
 
And really, more than anything else, that is what’s at stake in this election.  That’s what we're fighting for.  It’s that fundamental promise that no matter who you are or how you started out, if you work hard you can build a decent life for yourself -- and an even better life for your kids.  It is that promise that binds us together as Americans.  That is it.  That’s what makes us who we are. 
 
And from now until November, let me tell you, Barack needs all of you to get out there and tell everyone you know about our values, about our vision, and about everything that’s at stake in this election.  That’s what we need you to do.
 
You can start by telling them about how Barack fought for tax cuts for working families and small businesses, because an economy built to last starts with the middle class and with folks who are creating jobs and putting people back to work.  (Applause.)  I want you to remind people how back when Barack first took office -- remember -- our economy was losing an average of 750,000 jobs a month.  That’s what he inherited.  But let them know that for the past 26 months, we’ve actually been gaining private sector jobs –- a total of more than 4 million jobs in two years.  (Applause.)  Make sure they know that. 
 
So while -- let's be clear -- we still have a long way to go to rebuild our economy, we still have more work to do, today, millions of people are collecting a paycheck again.  Millions of people like my dad are able to pay their bills again.  Make sure they know that.
 
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.  Remember that?
 
AUDIENCE:  Yes!
 
MRS. OBAMA:  But what happened?  Your President had the backs of American workers.  He put his faith in the American people.  And today, as a result, the auto industry is back on its feet again and people are back to work, providing for their families again.  (Applause.)  Make sure people understand.
 
You can tell people how, because we passed health reform, insurance companies will have to cover preventative care -- things like contraception, cancer screenings, prenatal care at no extra cost.  (Applause.)  Because of health reform, millions of our senior citizens have saved an average of more than $600 a year on their prescription drugs.  Make sure they understand that.  And because of that reform, our kids can now stay on their parents’ insurance until they’re 26 years old.  And that is now how 2.5 million of our young people are now getting the health care they need.  2.5 million.  (Applause.)  
 
You can tell people how Barack is working to raise standards in our public schools and make college more affordable for millions of young people so by the end of this decade, more Americans will have a college degree than any other country in the world.  That’s his vision for this country.  (Applause.)  

You can tell people how Barack has been fighting hard for the DREAM Act because he believes that it’s time to stop denying citizenship to responsible young people just because they’re the children of undocumented immigrants.  (Applause.) 
 
You can remind folks that Barack kept his promise to bring our troops home from Iraq.  (Applause.)  And remind them about how our brave men and women in uniform finally brought to justice the man behind the 9/11 attacks.  Let them know, remind them.  And we need you all to make sure you 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.)
 
You can tell people that it’s now easier for women to get equal pay for equal work, and that’s because of the very first bill he signed into law -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.  Remind them about that.  And let them know that Barack signed this bill because he knows that closing that pay gap can mean the difference between women losing $50, $100, $500 from every paycheck, or having that money in their pockets to buy gas and groceries, and put clothes on the backs of their kids.  You let them know that Barack did this 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.  (Applause.)  They have to understand. 
 
And finally, don’t forget to tell them about those two brilliant Supreme Court Justices Barack appointed, and how for the first time in history our daughters and our sons watched three women take their seats on our nation’s highest court.  (Applause.)
 
But also let people know that all of that -- and more -- is what's at stake this November.  It's all on the line.  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 allow everything we’ve fought for to just slip away? 
 
I mean, we in here, we know what we need to do, right?
 
AUDIENCE:  Yes!
 
MRS. OBAMA:  We cannot turn back now.  We need to keep moving forward, keep moving forward.  (Applause.) 
 
And more than anything else, that’s what we’re working for –- the chance to finish what we started; the chance to keep fighting for the values we believe in and the vision we all share.  That’s what my husband has been doing every single day as President. 
 
And let me tell you something -- over the past three and a half years, I have had the chance to see up close and personal what being President looks like.  (Laughter.)  So let me share something with you.  I’ve seen how the issues that come across a President’s desks -- always the hard ones.  The problems with no easy solutions; the judgment calls where the stakes are so high, and there is no margin for error.  I have seen this.
 
And as President, you're going to get all kinds of advice and opinions -- I tell you -- from all kinds of people.  Going to flood you.  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, are your values, is that vision.  That’s all you have in the end. 
 
In the end, when you’re making those impossible choices, it all boils down to who you are and what you stand for.  And we all know who my husband is, don't we? 
 
AUDIENCE:  Yes!
 
MRS. OBAMA:  And we certainly 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 a job at the bank -- his grandmother.  And she worked hard to help 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 let me tell you something -- 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 today, as a father, let me tell you, he knows what it means to want desperately something better for your kids.  Those are the experiences that have made him the man and the President he is today, and we are blessed to have him.  (Applause.)
 
So remind people of that.  Remind people that when it comes time to stand up for the American workers and American families, you know what my husband is going to do.  When it's time to make that choice about protecting our rights and our freedoms, you know where Barack stands.  And when we need a leader to make those hard decisions to keep this country moving forward, you know you can count on Barack Obama, because that is what he’s been doing every single day as President of the United States.  He has proven. 
 
But I have said this before, and I will say it again, and again, and again -- he cannot do this alone.  Barack needs your help. 
 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Yes, we can!
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, we can.  Yes, we must.  Yes, we must.  
 
He needs you to make those calls.  He needs you -- more importantly -- to register those voters.  He needs you to take those “I’m in” cards -- because I know you've got them.  Take them.  Use them.  Sign up your friends and your neighbors and your colleagues.  Sign them up.  Convince them to join you in giving just a little part of their lives each week to this campaign -- just a little bit. 
 
And as Barack has said, this election will be even closer than the last one -- that you can count on.  And what I want you all to know and really understand -- 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 we register to vote.  That is true.  It could all come down to those last few thousand folks we help get to the polls on November the 6th. 
 
And I just want you to think for a minute about what these kinds of numbers mean when they’re spread out over an entire state.  It might mean that registering just one more person in your community.  It means that helping just one more person get out and vote on Election Day.  That could be the difference -- one more person.   
 
So consider this as you're working and as you're bringing people into the fold and you're multiplying yourselves.  With every door you knock on, with every event you host, with every conversation that you have, I want you to remember that this could be the one that makes the difference.  Think like that -- this could be the one.  Because that is the kind of impact that each of us can have.  That’s why we invest so much time in our grassroots work and people on the ground connecting, and talking, and explaining, and reminding, and educating, and giving people the information that they need.  Because all it takes, potentially, is one more person from each of you -- one more person.
 
But I’m not going to kid you, this journey is going to be long and it is absolutely going to be hard, and there will be plenty of twists and turns along the way.  But just understand that that is how change always happens in this country.  It always happens that way.  Real change can be slow, but if we keep showing up, if we keep fighting the good fight, keep doing what we know is right, then eventually we’ll get there.  You know why?  Because we always do.  We always have, we always do, we always will.  Maybe not in our lifetimes -- remember this -- but maybe in our children’s lifetimes, maybe in our grandchildren’s lifetimes. 
 
Because in the end, when it's all said and done, 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 that I want to leave for them.  Everything I do is for the next generation -- all these kids in this room.  It is about them.
 
I think about how I want to do for them what my Dad did for me, and so many who came before.  I want to give them a foundation for their dreams.  I want to give them opportunities worthy of their promise.  I want to give them that sense of limitless possibility –- all of our kids -- that belief that here in America, there’s always something better out there if you’re willing to work for it.  (Applause.)  That’s what we're doing for our kids.  That is our vision.  (Applause.)  
 
So let me tell you something Dallas, we can’t turn back now.  (Applause.)  We have come so far, but we have so much more to do for our children.
 
So let me ask you one last question:  Are you in?
 
AUDIENCE:  Yes!
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Are you -- no, no -- are you in in?  (Laughter.)  I mean, are you ready to roll up your sleeves and work, and talk, and get people signed up, and call on the phone, and talk to the people who don’t want to talk to you, and convince the neighbor that doesn’t understand?  Are you ready to do that work?  Are you ready to find 10 more people like you -- all the kids out there, there's stuff you can do, right?  Young people, talk to your parents.  Make sure they're registered to vote.  This is about your future right?  We are fighting for you. 
 
So if you're in, I'm way in.  If you haven't noticed, I am so far in.  (Laughter.)   
 
So I hope that all of you are fired up.  (Applause.) I hope you all are ready to go.  I cannot wait to see you out there in the campaign trail in the weeks and months ahead.
 
Thank you all for your prayers, your love, your work.  (Applause.)  God bless you all.
 
END
4:32 P.M. CDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 14, 2012

Remarks by the President at a Campaign Event

Rubin Museum of Art
New York, New York


4:40 P.M. EDT


THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you!  (Applause.)  Well, it is wonderful to be with all of you.  There are a couple of special acknowledgements I want to make.  First of all, I just want to thank Ricky Martin for being here today.  (Applause.)  Those of you who haven’t caught “Evita” yet, go out there.  I’m sure there’s still tickets available.  (Laughter.)  But you know that he’s going to be spectacular in it.  And I’m so grateful for him stepping out and being willing to support me in this way.

I want to thank Donald and Shelley Rubin for not only making this extraordinary event possible, but all that they’ve done for the civic life of New York.  Please give them a big round of applause.  (Applause.)

I want to thank Raj Goyale, who helped to put this together.  And he’s got two beautiful daughters, one of whom he’s still holding like this, and it’s -- (laughter) -- it reminds me of when Malia and Sasha were like this, and now they're like this.  (Laughter.)  But I want to thank Raj for this.

Your outstanding Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman is in the house, so please give him a big round of applause as well.  (Applause.) 

So we’ve been busy.  (Laughter.)  We’ve got a few things to do here.  I’m here to ask for your help, but I’m also here because your country needs your help.  When we ran four years ago I think we all understood that the campaign wasn’t just about me.  It was about the commitment we made to each other to make sure that this country lived up to the meaning its creed.  The idea that all of us, if we worked, if we tried, we could make it here in America -- regardless of what we look like, where we came from, who we loved, what our surnames were; the notion that those basic values of responsibility and hard work, of giving back, that that’s what built this country and we built it together.  And we felt like we had lost some of those core values.

When I was first elected, we were looking backwards at a decade of manufacturing moving overseas and the middle class struggling with flat wages and flat incomes, even though the cost of everything from college to health care had been skyrocketing.  We had seen recklessness by some on Wall Street, almost bringing the economy to its knees.  An auto industry that was on the verge of collapse.  A foreign policy that had not gained us the kind of respect that we needed in the world, and had cost us over a trillion dollars.

And so we understood we had a lot of work to do.  And the month that I took office we were losing 800,000 jobs that month, and we had already lost 4 million, and we’d lose another 3 million after that.  And so these have been tough times.  It’s been tough times for the country, tough times for a lot of families all across America.

But the good news is the American people have proven to be tougher.  And so for all the challenges that we’ve gone through, we have seen families across America willing to cut back on things they didn’t need, to make sure that they were looking after their kids and doing the things that they did needed to do.  There were some people who had to go back and retrain because the industries that they were in were no longer operating at that same capacity.  We’ve seen businesses that had to scale back but did everything they could to keep their workers.

And because of all these individuals efforts and, frankly, some tough but good decisions that we made early on, we’re weathering this storm and we’ve seen the country start to come back.  Four million jobs created over the last two years alone.  Just in the last six months, over a million jobs.  The auto industry all the way back, so that GM is now once again the biggest carmaker in the world and producing better cars, because we doubled fuel efficiency standards on cars so that by the middle of the next decade everybody is going to be getting 55 miles a gallon, and that will save the average family about $8,000.  And we’ll be taking a whole bunch of carbon out of the atmosphere so that we can make sure that all these wonderful kids who are in attendance are inheriting a planet that hasn’t been wrecked because we didn't take the proper decisions.  (Applause.)

We’ve doubled our production of clean energy, even as our oil production is higher and our imports of oil from other countries are lower. 

We ended the war in Iraq as promised, and we’re now winding down the war in Afghanistan.  (Applause.)

And so we’ve done a lot over these last three and a half years to make sure that the country was able to manage through this crisis that we have not seen in our lifetimes before.  But we -- I did not just run and you didn't just support me just to get back to the status quo.  And we know that there are still families out there that are having a tough time, people whose homes are still underwater.  We still know that there are too many children all across America who don't have the kind of opportunities that we want them to have and that America needs them to have.

And so we now come to this point, this election where the American people are going to have a choice, and this choice is going to be as important as any choice that we’ve made in a very long time; in some ways, more important than 2008 -- because we’ve got a very clear contrast this time. 

John McCain believed in climate change and believed in immigration reform.  On some issues, there was a sense of independence.  What we’ve got this time out is a candidate who said he’d basically rubber-stamp a Republican Congress who wants us to go backwards and not forwards on a whole range of issues.

They’ve got an economic theory that basically says the only way to grow the economy is to slash everybody’s taxes further, especially the wealthiest Americans, to dismantle government in so many ways.  And that somehow, if everybody -- the most powerful in our society are left to do whatever it is that they want, that somehow we’re going to be better off.

And we’ve just got a completely different vision about how America has succeeded.  And it’s rooted in fact and it’s rooted in history.  (Laughter.)  It’s based on what we’ve seen, because the ideas that they're putting forward have been tried.  We tried them between 2000 and 2008, and it resulted in the most sluggish job growth that we’ve ever seen, resulted in all kinds of phony financial profits and debt, and resulted in the worst financial crisis and economic crisis we’ve seen since the 1930s.  So we -- it’s not as if they're offering any new ideas.  They're basically saying you’re on your own, and when everybody is on their own, somehow we’re better off.

And we’ve got a contrasting vision that says we are stronger together; that America was built together; that all of us have responsibilities; that we thrive in a free market where risk takers and innovators are rewarded for taking a bet, taking a chance.  But we also understand that we grew because we made a decision at some point we were going to have public schools where every kid -- immigrants who showed up here in New York City fleeing wars in Europe, that they could come here and suddenly go into a public school and learn, and end up winning Nobel prizes and starting Fortune 500 companies.  That was how we built this country.

We built this country around the idea that everybody should have access to a great college education.  And so, as a consequence, we set up -- President Lincoln, the first Republican President, set up land grant colleges all across this country, where the kid of a farmer could suddenly go and learn something new, and all of us would become more productive because of it.

This country was built because together we built the Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Interstate Highway System.  That's how we sent a man to the moon, that's how the Internet was invented -- because we did these things together.

My grandfather went to college on the GI Bill because we understood that that would help make everybody rich.  We didn't do those things just because it was good for one group or one individual.  We did it because we understood that when everybody has got a shot, no matter what you look like, no matter where you come from, we all do better.  And that's what’s at stake in this election.  Those are the contrasting visions.  And we know which direction this country needs to go in.

This is a country that needs to invest in clean energy because we don't need to be subsidizing big oil companies to the tune of $4 billion a year.  We need to double down on solar and wind and biofuels that are going to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and clean up our environment.  We know that it’s important for us to make sure that young people are able to afford to go to college -- everybody, not just some.

We know that we have to invest in science and technology and stem cell research, and all the things that can help lead to amazing medical and scientific breakthroughs.  We know that we’ve got to rebuild this country, which is why I want to spend half of the money that we’re saving on wars we’re no longer fighting to build our roads and our bridges and our airports. 

And we also know that if we’re going to restore a sense of middle-class security, that we’ve got to make sure that we’re rewarding businesses that are investing here in the United States, not businesses that are shipping jobs overseas.  We know these things. 

And we can do it.  And we can do it in a balanced way.  And one of the big arguments we’re going to have over the next four or five months is, how do we pay for stuff?  And I happen to believe that it makes sense for us to make these investments, to make sure that Social Security and Medicare are still there for the next generation; to make sure that we’re not kicking poor kids and people with disabilities, and seniors who don’t have any other means off of Medicaid just to balance our budgets.  I think that I can afford to pay a little bit more and, frankly, some of the people in this room can afford to pay a little bit more, so that we can bring down our debts in a responsible way -- cutting out waste, cutting out programs that don’t work anymore, but also making sure that everybody is paying their fair share.

And at root, so much of this has to do with a belief that not only are we all in this together, but all of us are equal in terms of dignity and in terms of respect, and everybody deserves a shot.  (Applause.)  So part of what we’ve been spending a lot of time doing is just making sure that those ideals that we profess are made real. 

The first bill I signed, the Lilly Ledbetter Act -- a simple proposition -- equal pay for equal work.  I don’t want my daughters treated differently than my sons.  (Applause.)  That’s the reason why we’re fighting for comprehensive immigration reform -- because I believe that a child who’s here, raised with our kids, playing with our kids, has as much talent as our kids, the notion that somehow they would not have the capacity, the ability to proclaim themselves Americans and to fulfill their American Dream -- that’s not who we are and that’s not what we’re about.  (Applause.)

The announcement I made last week about my views on marriage equality -- same principle.  The basic idea -- I want everybody treated fairly in this country.  We have never gone wrong when we expanded rights and responsibilities to everybody.  That doesn’t weaken families; that strengthens families.  (Applause.)  It’s the right thing to do.

On each and every one of these issues there is a fundamental difference between the candidates.  And when we passed health care reform, we did it because a country this wealthy, we shouldn’t have 30 million people without health insurance.  That’s not an efficient way to go.  We shouldn’t have people showing up at emergency rooms that we end up having to pay for indirectly because we couldn’t give them preventive care.  I don’t want women being charged more than men for their ailments.  That’s not right.  I want to make sure that seniors who have been paying into Medicare, that they’ve got Medicare that they can count on in their Golden Years.  (Applause.)  And we’ve got to make some changes, but we’re not going to voucherize that program. 

It’s been said that this election is going to be about values, and I absolutely agree.  It’s about the economic values we have, about the values that I believe are what makes America so special -- the idea that everybody gets a fair shot, everybody does their fair share, everybody plays by the same set of rules.  So everything we do -- from Wall Street reform, making sure that banks aren’t taking risks with other people’s money that taxpayers may have to end up bailing out later, to repealing DOMA -- (applause) -- to getting the DREAM Act passed, to investing in our schools, to rebuilding manufacturing in America -- all of these things are designed to make sure that we’re restoring middle-class security for all those folks out there that are struggling for their small portion of the American Dream.

And the good news is I think the American people are on our side on this.  When you ask them specifically about all these issues, they ultimately choose the vision that I’m presenting over the one that the other side is presenting.  The only thing that’s holding us back is the fact that things are still tough out there.  There are still too many people without work, and there are still too many people who are struggling to get by even if they’ve got work. 

And what’s also going to make this a very close race is the fact that you’ve got special interests and these super PACs that are spending money on negative ads in unprecedented ways.  And their message is going to be very simple:  You’re frustrated, you’re dissatisfied, and it’s Obama’s fault.  You can boil down the message.  (Laughter.)  We were traveling around trying to prevent a doubling of student loan rates, and the Republicans said, he’s trying to distract from the economy.  Well, now, the last I checked, making sure our kids got a good education and weren’t loaded down with debt, that had something to do with our economy.  But what they really meant was, this distracts from our basic argument that you’re frustrated and it’s Obama’s fault.  (Laughter.)  And they will spend hundreds of millions of dollars trying to drill that home. 

But I’m not worried.  And the reason I’m not worried is because of you -- because I believe that if we are getting our message out effectively, if we are describing not only what we’ve done over the last three and half years; not only the 2.5 million young people who have health insurance who wouldn’t otherwise have it because they can stay on their parents’ plan; not just everything that we’ve done to make sure that we’re changing the rules on things like people being able to visit their loved ones in hospitals; not just everything that we’ve done in terms of restoring the auto industry -- but when we describe what we plan to do for the future, if we can get that message out effectively, I believe we’ll win.  But more importantly, the country will win. 

But I’m going to need all of you.  This is going to be a tough race.  It is going to be a tight race.  Nobody should be taking this for granted, especially when I come to New York sometimes people go around and say, I don't know anybody who is not supporting you, Barack.  (Laughter.)  I say, you live in Manhattan, man.  (Laughter.)

This is going to be a challenging race.  But we can win as long as all of you are activated, as long as all of you are motivated, as long as you’re doing everything you can -- not just making phone calls, not just raising money, but I want folks out hitting the streets, knocking on doors, talking to your family, talking to your friends.

In 2008, a lot of people were skeptical, but we showed them that when ordinary folks are motivated, they can't be stopped.  When they decide it’s time for change to happen, change happens.  And that's going to happen this time as well.

I used to say in 2008, I’m not a perfect man and I’m not going to be a perfect President, but I’d always tell you what I thought, I always would tell you where I stood, and I’d work every single day -- every day I would wake up thinking about how I could make your lives better and making sure that every kid out there has the same kind of amazing possibilities that Malia and Sasha have.  And that promise I’ve kept.

So I still believe in you.  I hope you still believe in me.  And if you do, I’m absolutely positive we’re going to win this election.  (Applause.)

Thank you, everybody.  God bless you.  God bless America. 

END
5:01 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
May 14, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady Announcing Olympic Commitments to Get Kids More Active

Hilton Anatole
Dallas, Texas

2:42 P.M. CDT
 
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you so much, everyone.  Wow.  I've never been introduced as an athlete, so that’s pretty cool.  But it's a little intimidating with you guys up here.  But I want to thank you, Natalie. 
 
I am thrilled to be here with all of you today.  I want to, again, start by thanking Natalie for that very kind introduction.  I also want to recognize Scott Blackmun, the U.S. Olympic Committee, the Partnership for a Healthier America, and, of course, all of the phenomenal athletes who have taken the time to be with us here today.  Thanks to all of you for your hard work, your advocacy, and your leadership in connection with this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 
I am beyond proud to be leading the U.S. delegation to the opening ceremonies in London this summer.  And I want you to know that I'll be doing this both as a First Lady who is honored to represent my country, and I'll be doing it as a lifelong Olympic fan.
 
See, one of my happiest memories center around watching the Olympic Games on TV when I was a little girl -- cheering on Mary Lou and Nadia and Carl Lewis, and so many others.  And like so many young people, I was awed and inspired by those athletes, and as I watched their amazing feats of speed and endurance and grace I would dream about how maybe one day, if I worked hard enough, I too could achieve something great.

So when I'm sitting in that stadium in London cheering on Team U.S.A., I'll be thinking about all those young people cheering them on at home.  I’ll be thinking about the power of the Games to truly inspire a generation, and I'll be thinking about how our Olympic and Paralympic athletes can serve as role models for our young people; as examples of the values we want our kids to learn. 
 
This summer, our children will learn the stories of athletes like Jessica Long, a Paralympic swimmer.  As a child, Jessica watched other kids walking up and down a hill in her neighborhood park and she spent an entire day practicing on her prosthetic legs, falling down over and over again until she could climb that hill too.  Her advice to others about how to succeed is very simple.  She says:  "You have to practice.  You will have days when you hate it, and days when you love it.  But you have to stick with it." 
 
And then there's John Orozco, a gymnast from the Bronx who I just got to meet today.  Starting when he was just nine years old, John's mother would drive him an hour or more each way to the gym, six or seven days a week, and he would often practice until 9 at night and then stay up past midnight to finish his homework.  He soon began working at the gym between practices to make money, and when he received his first paycheck, I understand he turned it over to his parents and he told them, he said, "Here Dad.  Put this in for the mortgage."
 
This summer, so many athletes like Jessica and John will show our young people that the Olympic and Paralympic Games aren't just about who wins the gold or who sets a new record.  They're about trying to your hardest and triumphing over adversity, and helping others do the same.  And thanks to the commitments from the U.S. Olympic Committee and 10 of its governing bodies, this year, young people will be learning those values for themselves in schools and parks and athletic facilities all across this country. 
 
Now, when we first met with these organizations, we challenged them to commit to helping 1 million kids get active in their communities.  So that was our first target -- one million kids.  And of course, we thought that was pretty ambitious.  But let me tell you, they not only met that goal, they added another 700,000 more to that commitment.  So this year, 1.7 million young people will be participating in Olympic and Paralympic sports in their communities. 
 
Many of these kids will be playing sports for the very first time, or some of these sports for the very first time.  And that is so important, because sometimes, as all of you know, all it takes is that first lesson or that first clinic or that first class to get a child excited about a new sport.  All it takes is one opportunity, and once they're engaged, that’s when coaches and instructors can step in and become mentors.  That’s when discipline and teamwork can become daily lessons.  That’s when being active can become a lifelong habit.
 
So today, I want to thank all of the organizations who have made such important commitments to our young people.  And I hope that they will keep expanding on their programming all across this country.  It is so important to so many of our kids who could be the next Olympians, the next ones standing on this stage.
 
So I want to also thank our Olympians and our Paralympians for being such tremendous role models.  You can tell when you first meet these folks with one meeting that there's a special something there.  And I hope that they will keep working with our young people, and keep inspiring them to reach their fullest potential.
 
And most of all, I want to thank all the parents and all the caregivers out there who are encouraging our children to be active every day.  Because we all know that in the end, we as parents are our children's first and best role models.  No matter what they see on TV, in the end, it is up to us to make sure that they grow up healthy. 
 
And this summer, my hope is that together with our children, we can support Team U.S.A. not just by cheering them on, but by striving to live up to the example they set.  In the end, some of these athletes, again, will bring home the gold.  But let me tell you something -- all of them will make our country proud.  They're already doing it.  And all of them will inspire a generation of young people to get active, to strive for excellence, and to pursue whatever dreams they may hold in their hearts.
 
And I wish all of our athletes the very best of luck this summer.  I cannot wait to get there to London to cheer them on.
 
Thank you all.  Thank you for this commitment.  God bless.
 
END
2:50 P.M. CDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 14, 2012

Remarks by the President at Barnard College Commencement Ceremony

Barnard College
Columbia University
New York, New York


1:28 P.M. EDT


THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you so much.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Please, please have a seat.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

Thank you, President Spar, trustees, President Bollinger.  Hello, Class of 2012!  (Applause.)  Congratulations on reaching this day.  Thank you for the honor of being able to be a part of it. 

There are so many people who are proud of you -- your parents, family, faculty, friends -- all who share in this achievement.  So please give them a big round of applause.  (Applause.)  To all the moms who are here today, you could not ask for a better Mother’s Day gift than to see all of these folks graduate.  (Applause.)

I have to say, though, whenever I come to these things, I start thinking about Malia and Sasha graduating, and I start tearing up and -- (laughter) -- it's terrible.  I don't know how you guys are holding it together.  (Laughter.) 

I will begin by telling a hard truth:  I’m a Columbia college graduate.  (Laughter and applause.)  I know there can be a little bit of a sibling rivalry here.  (Laughter.)  But I’m honored nevertheless to be your commencement speaker today -- although I’ve got to say, you set a pretty high bar given the past three years.  (Applause.)  Hillary Clinton -- (applause) -- Meryl Streep -- (applause) -- Sheryl Sandberg -- these are not easy acts to follow.  (Applause.) 

But I will point out Hillary is doing an extraordinary job as one of the finest Secretaries of State America has ever had.  (Applause.)  We gave Meryl the Presidential Medal of Arts and Humanities.  (Applause.)  Sheryl is not just a good friend; she’s also one of our economic advisers.  So it’s like the old saying goes -- keep your friends close, and your Barnard commencement speakers even closer.  (Applause.)  There's wisdom in that.  (Laughter.)  

Now, the year I graduated -- this area looks familiar -- (laughter) -- the year I graduated was 1983, the first year women were admitted to Columbia.  (Applause.)  Sally Ride was the first American woman in space.  Music was all about Michael and the Moonwalk.  (Laughter.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Do it!  (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT:  No Moonwalking.  (Laughter.)  No Moonwalking today.  (Laughter.)

We had the Walkman, not iPods.  Some of the streets around here were not quite so inviting.  (Laughter.)  Times Square was not a family destination.  (Laughter.)  So I know this is all ancient history.  Nothing worse than commencement speakers droning on about bygone days.  (Laughter.)  But for all the differences, the Class of 1983 actually had a lot in common with all of you.  For we, too, were heading out into a world at a moment when our country was still recovering from a particularly severe economic recession.  It was a time of change.  It was a time of uncertainty.  It was a time of passionate political debates. 

You can relate to this because just as you were starting out finding your way around this campus, an economic crisis struck that would claim more than 5 million jobs before the end of your freshman year.  Since then, some of you have probably seen parents put off retirement, friends struggle to find work.  And you may be looking toward the future with that same sense of concern that my generation did when we were sitting where you are now. 

Of course, as young women, you’re also going to grapple with some unique challenges, like whether you’ll be able to earn equal pay for equal work; whether you’ll be able to balance the demands of your job and your family; whether you’ll be able to fully control decisions about your own health. 

And while opportunities for women have grown exponentially over the last 30 years, as young people, in many ways you have it even tougher than we did.  This recession has been more brutal, the job losses steeper.  Politics seems nastier.  Congress more gridlocked than ever.  Some folks in the financial world have not exactly been model corporate citizens.  (Laughter.) 

No wonder that faith in our institutions has never been lower, particularly when good news doesn’t get the same kind of ratings as bad news anymore.  Every day you receive a steady stream of sensationalism and scandal and stories with a message that suggest change isn’t possible; that you can’t make a difference; that you won’t be able to close that gap between life as it is and life as you want it to be.

My job today is to tell you don’t believe it.  Because as tough as things have been, I am convinced you are tougher.  I’ve seen your passion and I’ve seen your service.  I’ve seen you engage and I’ve seen you turn out in record numbers.  I’ve heard your voices amplified by creativity and a digital fluency that those of us in older generations can barely comprehend.  I’ve seen a generation eager, impatient even, to step into the rushing waters of history and change its course.

And that defiant, can-do spirit is what runs through the veins of American history.  It’s the lifeblood of all our progress.  And it is that spirit which we need your generation to embrace and rekindle right now.

See, the question is not whether things will get better -- they always do.  The question is not whether we’ve got the solutions to our challenges -- we’ve had them within our grasp for quite some time.  We know, for example, that this country would be better off if more Americans were able to get the kind of education that you’ve received here at Barnard -- (applause) -- if more people could get the specific skills and training that employers are looking for today. 

We know that we’d all be better off if we invest in science and technology that sparks new businesses and medical breakthroughs; if we developed more clean energy so we could use less foreign oil and reduce the carbon pollution that’s threatening our planet.  (Applause.)  

We know that we’re better off when there are rules that stop big banks from making bad bets with other people’s money and -- (applause) -- when insurance companies aren’t allowed to drop your coverage when you need it most or charge women differently from men.  (Applause.)  Indeed, we know we are better off when women are treated fairly and equally in every aspect of American life -- whether it’s the salary you earn or the health decisions you make.  (Applause.)  

We know these things to be true.  We know that our challenges are eminently solvable.  The question is whether together, we can muster the will -- in our own lives, in our common institutions, in our politics -- to bring about the changes we need.  And I’m convinced your generation possesses that will.  And I believe that the women of this generation -- that all of you will help lead the way.  (Applause.)

Now, I recognize that’s a cheap applause line when you're giving a commencement at Barnard.  (Laughter.)  It’s the easy thing to say.  But it’s true.  It is -- in part, it is simple math.  Today, women are not just half this country; you’re half its workforce.  (Applause.)  More and more women are out-earning their husbands.  You’re more than half of our college graduates, and master’s graduates, and PhDs.  (Applause.)   So you’ve got us outnumbered.  (Laughter.)

After decades of slow, steady, extraordinary progress, you are now poised to make this the century where women shape not only their own destiny but the destiny of this nation and of this world.

But how far your leadership takes this country, how far it takes this world -- well, that will be up to you.  You’ve got to want it.  It will not be handed to you.  And as someone who wants that future -- that better future -- for you, and for Malia and Sasha, as somebody who’s had the good fortune of being the husband and the father and the son of some strong, remarkable women, allow me to offer just a few pieces of advice.  That's obligatory.  (Laughter.)  Bear with me.

My first piece of advice is this:  Don’t just get involved.  Fight for your seat at the table.  Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table.  (Applause.)

It’s been said that the most important role in our democracy is the role of citizen.  And indeed, it was 225 years ago today that the Constitutional Convention opened in Philadelphia, and our founders, citizens all, began crafting an extraordinary document.  Yes, it had its flaws -- flaws that this nation has strived to protect (perfect) over time.  Questions of race and gender were unresolved.  No woman’s signature graced the original document -- although we can assume that there were founding mothers whispering smarter things in the ears of the founding fathers.   (Applause.)  I mean, that's almost certain.

What made this document special was that it provided the space -- the possibility -- for those who had been left out of our charter to fight their way in.  It provided people the language to appeal to principles and ideals that broadened democracy’s reach.  It allowed for protest, and movements, and the dissemination of new ideas that would repeatedly, decade after decade, change the world -- a constant forward movement that continues to this day.

Our founders understood that America does not stand still; we are dynamic, not static.  We look forward, not back.  And now that new doors have been opened for you, you’ve got an obligation to seize those opportunities. 

You need to do this not just for yourself but for those who don’t yet enjoy the choices that you’ve had, the choices you will have.  And one reason many workplaces still have outdated policies is because women only account for 3 percent of the CEOs at Fortune 500 companies.  One reason we’re actually refighting long-settled battles over women’s rights is because women occupy fewer than one in five seats in Congress.

Now, I’m not saying that the only way to achieve success is by climbing to the top of the corporate ladder or running for office -- although, let’s face it, Congress would get a lot more done if you did.  (Laughter and applause.)  That I think we’re sure about.  But if you decide not to sit yourself at the table, at the very least you’ve got to make sure you have a say in who does.  It matters.

Before women like Barbara Mikulski and Olympia Snowe and others got to Congress, just to take one example, much of federally-funded research on diseases focused solely on their effects on men.  It wasn’t until women like Patsy Mink and Edith Green got to Congress and passed Title IX, 40 years ago this year, that we declared women, too, should be allowed to compete and win on America’s playing fields.  (Applause.)  Until a woman named Lilly Ledbetter showed up at her office and had the courage to step up and say, you know what, this isn’t right, women weren’t being treated fairly -- we lacked some of the tools we needed to uphold the basic principle of equal pay for equal work.

So don’t accept somebody else’s construction of the way things ought to be.  It’s up to you to right wrongs.  It’s up to you to point out injustice.  It’s up to you to hold the system accountable and sometimes upend it entirely.  It’s up to you to stand up and to be heard, to write and to lobby, to march, to organize, to vote.  Don’t be content to just sit back and watch. 

Those who oppose change, those who benefit from an unjust status quo, have always bet on the public’s cynicism or the public's complacency.  Throughout American history, though, they have lost that bet, and I believe they will this time as well.  (Applause.)  But ultimately, Class of 2012, that will depend on you.  Don’t wait for the person next to you to be the first to speak up for what’s right.  Because maybe, just maybe, they’re waiting on you. 

Which brings me to my second piece of advice:  Never underestimate the power of your example.  The very fact that you are graduating, let alone that more women now graduate from college than men, is only possible because earlier generations of women -- your mothers, your grandmothers, your aunts -- shattered the myth that you couldn’t or shouldn’t be where you are.  (Applause.)

I think of a friend of mine who’s the daughter of immigrants.  When she was in high school, her guidance counselor told her, you know what, you’re just not college material.  You should think about becoming a secretary.  Well, she was stubborn, so she went to college anyway.  She got her master’s.  She ran for local office, won.  She ran for state office, she won.  She ran for Congress, she won.  And lo and behold, Hilda Solis did end up becoming a secretary -- (laughter) -- she is America’s Secretary of Labor.  (Applause.)

So think about what that means to a young Latina girl when she sees a Cabinet secretary that looks like her.  (Applause.)  Think about what it means to a young girl in Iowa when she sees a presidential candidate who looks like her.  Think about what it means to a young girl walking in Harlem right down the street when she sees a U.N. ambassador who looks like her.  Do not underestimate the power of your example. 

This diploma opens up new possibilities, so reach back, convince a young girl to earn one, too.  If you earned your degree in areas where we need more women -- like computer science or engineering -- (applause) -- reach back and persuade another student to study it, too.  If you're going into fields where we need more women, like construction or computer engineering -- reach back, hire someone new.  Be a mentor.  Be a role model.

Until a girl can imagine herself, can picture herself as a computer programmer, or a combatant commander, she won’t become one.  Until there are women who tell her, ignore our pop culture obsession over beauty and fashion -- (applause) -- and focus instead on studying and inventing and competing and leading, she’ll think those are the only things that girls are supposed to care about.  Now, Michelle will say, nothing wrong with caring about it a little bit.  (Laughter.)  You can be stylish and powerful, too.  (Applause.)  That's Michelle’s advice.  (Applause.)

And never forget that the most important example a young girl will ever follow is that of a parent.  Malia and Sasha are going to be outstanding women because Michelle and Marian Robinson are outstanding women.  So understand your power, and use it wisely.  

My last piece of advice -- this is simple, but perhaps most important:  Persevere.  Persevere.  Nothing worthwhile is easy.  No one of achievement has avoided failure -- sometimes catastrophic failures.  But they keep at it.  They learn from mistakes.  They don’t quit.

You know, when I first arrived on this campus, it was with little money, fewer options.  But it was here that I tried to find my place in this world.  I knew I wanted to make a difference, but it was vague how in fact I’d go about it.  (Laughter.)  But I wanted to do my part to do my part to shape a better world.

So even as I worked after graduation in a few unfulfilling jobs here in New York -- I will not list them all -- (laughter) -- even as I went from motley apartment to motley apartment, I reached out.  I started to write letters to community organizations all across the country.  And one day, a small group of churches on the South Side of Chicago answered, offering me work with people in neighborhoods hit hard by steel mills that were shutting down and communities where jobs were dying away.

The community had been plagued by gang violence, so once I arrived, one of the first things we tried to do was to mobilize a meeting with community leaders to deal with gangs.  And I’d worked for weeks on this project.  We invited the police; we made phone calls; we went to churches; we passed out flyers.  The night of the meeting we arranged rows and rows of chairs in anticipation of this crowd.  And we waited, and we waited.  And finally, a group of older folks walked in to the hall and they sat down.  And this little old lady raised her hand and asked, “Is this where the bingo game is?”  (Laughter.)  It was a disaster.  Nobody showed up.  My first big community meeting -- nobody showed up.

And later, the volunteers I worked with told me, that's it; we’re quitting.  They'd been doing this for two years even before I had arrived.  They had nothing to show for it.  And I’ll be honest, I felt pretty discouraged as well.  I didn't know what I was doing.  I thought about quitting.  And as we were talking, I looked outside and saw some young boys playing in a vacant lot across the street.  And they were just throwing rocks up at a boarded building.  They had nothing better to do  -- late at night, just throwing rocks.  And I said to the volunteers, “Before you quit, answer one question.  What will happen to those boys if you quit?  Who will fight for them if we don’t?  Who will give them a fair shot if we leave?

And one by one, the volunteers decided not to quit.  We went back to those neighborhoods and we kept at it.  We registered new voters, and we set up after-school programs, and we fought for new jobs, and helped people live lives with some measure of dignity.  And we sustained ourselves with those small victories.  We didn’t set the world on fire.  Some of those communities are still very poor.  There are still a lot of gangs out there.  But I believe that it was those small victories that helped me win the bigger victories of my last three and a half years as President.

And I wish I could say that this perseverance came from some innate toughness in me.  But the truth is, it was learned.  I got it from watching the people who raised me.  More specifically, I got it from watching the women who shaped my life. 

I grew up as the son of a single mom who struggled to put herself through school and make ends meet.  She had marriages that fell apart; even went on food stamps at one point to help us get by.  But she didn’t quit.  And she earned her degree, and made sure that through scholarships and hard work, my sister and I earned ours.  She used to wake me up when we were living overseas -- wake me up before dawn to study my English
lessons.  And when I’d complain, she’d just look at me and say, “This is no picnic for me either, buster.”  (Laughter.)  

And my mom ended up dedicating herself to helping women
around the world access the money they needed to start their own businesses -- she was an early pioneer in microfinance.  And that meant, though, that she was gone a lot, and she had her own struggles trying to figure out balancing motherhood and a career.  And when she was gone, my grandmother stepped up to take care of me. 

She only had a high school education.  She got a job at a local bank.  She hit the glass ceiling, and watched men she once trained promoted up the ladder ahead of her.  But she didn’t quit.  Rather than grow hard or angry each time she got passed over, she kept doing her job as best as she knew how, and ultimately ended up being vice president at the bank.  She didn’t quit.

And later on, I met a woman who was assigned to advise me on my first summer job at a law firm.  And she gave me such good advice that I married her.  (Laughter.)  And Michelle and I gave everything we had to balance our careers and a young family.  But let’s face it, no matter how enlightened I must have thought myself to be, it often fell more on her shoulders when I was traveling, when I was away.  I know that when she was with our girls, she’d feel guilty that she wasn’t giving enough time to her work, and when she was at her work, she’d feel guilty she wasn’t giving enough time to our girls.  And both of us wished we had some superpower that would let us be in two places at once.  But we persisted.  We made that marriage work. 

And the reason Michelle had the strength to juggle everything, and put up with me and eventually the public spotlight, was because she, too, came from a family of folks who didn’t quit -- because she saw her dad get up and go to work every day even though he never finished college, even though he had crippling MS.  She saw her mother, even though she never finished college, in that school, that urban school, every day making sure Michelle and her brother were getting the education they deserved.  Michelle saw how her parents never quit.  They never indulged in self-pity, no matter how stacked the odds were against them.  They didn't quit.

Those are the folks who inspire me.  People ask me sometimes, who inspires you, Mr. President?  Those quiet heroes all across this country -- some of your parents and grandparents who are sitting here -- no fanfare, no articles written about them, they just persevere.  They just do their jobs.  They meet their responsibilities.  They don't quit.  I'm only here because of them.  They may not have set out to change the world, but in small, important ways, they did.  They certainly changed mine. 

So whether it’s starting a business, or running for office, or raising a amazing family, remember that making your mark on the world is hard.  It takes patience.  It takes commitment.  It comes with plenty of setbacks and it comes with plenty of failures. 

But whenever you feel that creeping cynicism, whenever you hear those voices say you can’t make a difference, whenever somebody tells you to set your sights lower -- the trajectory of this country should give you hope.  Previous generations should give you hope.  What young generations have done before should give you hope.  Young folks who marched and mobilized and stood up and sat in, from Seneca Falls to Selma to Stonewall, didn’t just do it for themselves; they did it for other people.  (Applause.) 

That’s how we achieved women’s rights.  That's how we achieved voting rights.  That's how we achieved workers’ rights.  That's how we achieved gay rights.  (Applause.)  That’s how we’ve made this Union more perfect.  (Applause.)

And if you’re willing to do your part now, if you're willing to reach up and close that gap between what America is and what America should be, I want you to know that I will be right there with you.  (Applause.)  If you are ready to fight for that brilliant, radically simple idea of America that no matter who you are or what you look like, no matter who you love or what God you worship, you can still pursue your own happiness, I will join you every step of the way.  (Applause.)

Now more than ever -- now more than ever, America needs what you, the Class of 2012, has to offer.  America needs you to reach high and hope deeply.  And if you fight for your seat at the table, and you set a better example, and you persevere in what you decide to do with your life, I have every faith not only that you will succeed, but that, through you, our nation will continue to be a beacon of light for men and women, boys and girls, in every corner of the globe.

So thank you.  Congratulations.  (Applause.)  God bless you.  God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

END 
2:00 P.M. EDT