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The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release

May 01, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at a Campaign Event

Los Poblanos Ranch
Albuquerque, New Mexico

3:06 P.M. MDT

MRS. OBAMA: Oh my goodness! (Applause.) Thank you all so much. This is truly breathtaking. I would just like to stay here and hang out. (Laughter.) But I can't, but it is a pleasure to be here with all of you.

Let me start by thanking Lisa for that very kind introduction and for all the support that she and Paul, who wasn't able to be here today, they have shown to us. I know they both worked very hard to make this event wonderful, as well as all of the other co-hosts. So please, let's join in in giving them all a round of applause. Thank you all so much. (Applause.)

I'd also like to just take a moment to acknowledge your terrific State Party Chair, Javier Gonzalez. I want to thank Javier for joining us here, as well as for all of his work.

And finally, I really just want to thank all of you for your support and for taking the time to be here. And I know that there's a reason why you all are here. You're here because you know that this November, as Lisa said, we're going to make a choice that will impact our lives for decades to come. And you're here because you know that choice, it won't just affect all of us, but it's going to affect our children and our grandchildren, and the world we leave behind for them long after we're gone.

And that’s really why I'm here, and that’s why I'm going to be here working so very hard. Because as First Lady I have had the privilege of traveling all across this great country, and I get to meet with folks from all different backgrounds, and I hear what's going on in their daily lives. And let me tell you, every day, people are working hard, struggling to keep it all together. I hear about the bills they're trying to pay, the businesses they're trying to keep afloat, the home they love but are struggling to afford.

But one thing I also know -- no matter what people are going through, no matter what challenges they face, they just keep on working and sacrificing, because they want to give something to their kids -- desperately, they want something better for their kids. They believe in that fundamental vision for our country that we all share -- the idea, as my husband says, that hard work should pay off; that responsibility should be rewarded; and that everyone should get a fair shot, they should do their fair share, but they should play by the same rules.

And those values are the foundation for an economy built to last. They are basic American values, the values that so many of us were raised with, including myself.

I have told my story before. My father was a blue-collar city worker, worked at the city water plant his entire life. My family lived in a little-bitty apartment on the South Side of Chicago. My mother still occupies that home in Chicago when she goes back; my bedroom is the same -- bed sheets, pictures on the wall. But neither of my parents had the chance to go to college.

But let me tell you what they did do, which was probably just as valuable -- they saved and they sacrificed everything/ They poured everything they had into us, because they wanted something more for me and my brother. And more than anything else, that’s what at stake. That’s why we're here. That’s what we're working toward -- that fundamental promise that no matter who you are or how you started out, if you work hard you can build a better life, a decent life for yourself and an even better life for you kids. And on just about every issue, that’s the choice we face.

And let's just start with all those tax cuts that my husband passed for middle-class families. Let me tell you what that’s about, why he did that. Because that’s about whether people can heat their homes; it's about whether folks can send their kids to college, retire with dignity and a little security; it's about putting more money into people's pockets, which means more money in our economy, which in turn means more jobs. And it's about making sure that everyone pays their fair share.

That’s why Barack introduced what he calls the Buffett Rule, to close tax loopholes so that millionaires and billionaires aren't paying lower tax rates that firefighters and teachers. Seems so obvious. (Applause.) But that’s what's at stake.

And how about everything my husband has done to create jobs in this country? I mean, think back to when all those folks in Washington were telling Barack to let the auto industry go under. Remember that? And more than a million jobs on the line.

But Barack had the backs of American workers. He put his faith in the American people, and as a result -- thank goodness -- today, the auto industry is back on its feet, and, more importantly, people are back to work, providing for their families again. (Applause.)

And also think back to when Barack first took office. In this economy, we were losing an average of 750,000 jobs every single month -- that’s what he inherited. But for the past 25 straight months, we've actually been gaining private sector jobs -- a total of more than 4 million jobs in two years. So while we still have a long way to go -- (applause) -- absolutely -- to rebuild our economy, we have much more work to do. Today, millions of folks are collecting a paycheck again. But that’s what's at stake. That’s the choice we face.

And what about all that has been done for our small businesses? I mean, these are the companies that create two-thirds of all new jobs each year -- two-thirds. I'm talking about the mom who opens up that dry cleaning store to help provide for her kids -- these are the people we're talking about. The family that’s run the neighborhood diner for generations.

See, for these folks, the small business tax cuts this administration has passed, for them, it means the difference between hiring new employees or handing out pink slips; the difference between keeping their doors open or closing shop for good. But that’s the choice we face.

And how about the very first bill my husband signed into law to make sure women get equal pay for equal work -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. (Applause.) And what I remind people of is that Barack did this because he knows what it means when women aren't treated fairly in our workplaces because he watched his own grandmother -- a woman with a high school education who worked her way up to become a vice president at a small community bank. And she worked hard. She had to. She was good at what she did, but like so many women she hit that glass ceiling, and watched men no more qualified than she was -- men she had actually trained -- be promoted up the ladder ahead of her.

So let me tell you something. For Barack, this issue is not abstract. This is not a hypothetical. He signed this bill because he knows that closing that pay gap, that can mean the difference between women losing $50, $100, $500 from each paycheck or having that money in their pockets to buy gas, groceries, to put clothes on the backs of their children. And he did it because when so many women are now breadwinners for our families, women's success in this economy is the key to families' success in this economy. (Applause.) But that is what's at stake. That’s what we're working for.

And we have to talk a minute about health care. Two years ago, we made history together by finally passing health reform -- (applause) -- something no other president was able to do. And because that law was passed, insurance companies will now have to cover basic preventative care at no extra cost -- things like prenatal care, mammograms, contraception. (Applause.) And they can no longer deny our children coverage because they have a pre-existing condition like asthma, diabetes. (Applause.)

Our young people can now stay on their parents insurance until they're 26 years old. I mean, you know what this means -- so when they graduate from college and they're just starting out, they don’t have to go without health care while they're trying to build their careers and their families. And today, that’s how 2.5 million young people in this country are getting their coverage today. (Applause.) And also, since we passed this law, millions of our senior citizens have saved an average of more than $600 a year on prescription drugs.

So we have to ask ourselves -- are we going to take those savings away? Are we going to allow insurance companies to refuse to cover our children? Or will we say that here in America, no one should ever have to choose between going bankrupt or watching their child suffer because they can't afford a doctor. But that’s the choice we face.

And let's think for a moment about all that we've been doing to give our kids a good education. Think about the investments we've made to raise standards and reform our public schools. Think about how my husband has been fighting so hard for the DREAM Act, so that responsible young immigrants who came here as children -- (applause) -- and were raised as Americans can earn their pathway to citizenship by going to college, serving in our military.

And think about how my husband took billions of dollars in taxpayer money that used to go middleman banks and lenders and he sent that money where it belongs -- to help millions of our young people go to college. And those investments, all that we're putting into our children, that won't just determine our children's success -- that will determine nothing less than the success of our entire economy. That will determine whether we're prepared to make the discoveries and to build the industry that will allow us to compete with any country anywhere in the world. (Applause.)

And let's not forget about how my husband appointed those two brilliant Supreme Court justices -- (applause) -- yes, indeed -- and for the first time in history, our daughters and our sons watched three women take their seats on our nation's highest courts. (Applause.) And we cannot forget the impact the Court's decisions will have on our lives for decades to come -- on our privacy and security; on whether we speak freely, worship openly, and, yes, love whomever we choose. (Applause.) That’s what's at stake. Those are the choices we face.

And we cannot forget all this administration had done to keep our country safe and restore our standing in the world. Yes, thanks to our brave men and women in uniform, we finally brought to justice the man behind the 9/11 attacks and so many other horrific acts of terror. (Applause.) My husband kept his promise -- he ended the war in Iraq, brought our troops home. And we are working hard every single day to give them and their families and our veterans the benefits they've earned. (Applause.)

And finally, because my husband ended "don't ask, don't tell," our troops will never again have to lie about who they are to serve the country they love. (Applause.)

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

Who do we want to be?

Will we be a country where opportunity is just limited to the few at the top? Or will we be a place where if you work hard you can get ahead no matter who you are or how you started out? Who do we want to be?

Will we tell folks who have done everything right but are struggling just a little bit, are we going to look them in the eye and tell them, tough luck, you're on your own? Is that who we are? Or will we honor that fundamental American belief that we are in this together, and this country is strongest when we're all better off. Who are we?

Will we continue all the change we've begun, all the progress that we've made? Or will we just allow everything we've fought for to just slip away? Who do we want to be?

But let me tell you -- those are the choices. That’s why I'm here. And we know what we need to do. In our hearts, we know that we can't turn back now. We can't. We need to keep moving forward. Absolutely.

And what I want everyone to understand in this country -- no one knows this better than your President. He understands these issues because he's lived them. He was raised by a single mother who struggled to put herself through school and pay the bills. And when she needed help, who stepped up? His grandmother, waking up every morning before dawn to take a bus to her job at the bank. And even though she was passed over again and again for all those promotions, she never complained. Like so many people in our lives, she never complained. She just kept showing up, just kept doing her best.

So believe me, Barack knows what it means when a family struggles. He knows what it means when someone doesn’t have a chance to fulfill their potential. Those are the experiences that have made him the man, and, more importantly, the President he is today. And we are blessed to have him. (Applause.)

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

And I hear the passion and the determination in his voice. He says, "you won't believe what folks are going through." That’s what he tells me. He says, "Michelle, it's not right. We've got to fix this. We have so much more work to do."

So what I want people to know about my husband is that when it comes to the people he meets, he has a memory like a steel trap. He might not remember your name but if he has had a few moments and a decent conversation, he will never forget your story. It becomes imprinted on his heart. And that is what he carries with him every single day. It is our collection of struggles, and our hopes and our dreams.

That is where your President gets his passion. That is where he gets his toughness and his fight. And that’s why, even in the hardest moments -- and we've had some -- when it seems like all is lost, Barack Obama never loses sight of the end goal -- never. He never lets himself get distracted by the chatter and the noise. Like his grandmother he just keeps moving forward. Just keeps moving forward.

But I've said this before and I will say it again, and again, and again: He cannot do it alone. That was never the promise. Now, more than ever before, he needs your help. And he needs you to make those calls, and register those voters -- that real work. He needs you to take those "I’m in" cards and use them to sign up your friends and your neighbors and your colleagues -- no, really. Let's apply yourselves. Convince the people in your lives to join in in giving just a little part of themselves each week to this campaign.

And if you have any doubt about the difference that you will definitely make, I just want you to remember that in the end, this election could come down to those last few thousand votes. It's happened before. It could come down to those last few people we register. It could all come down to those last few people that we help get to the polls on November the 6.

And I want you to think about -- just for a minute about what these kind of numbers mean when they're spread out over an entire state. It might mean registering just one more person in your town. That’s how crucial this is. One more person might mean helping just one more person in your community get out and vote on Election Day.

So know that with every door you knock on -- truly -- with every call you make, with every conversation you have, you have to remember that this could be the one that makes the difference -- truly, every interaction. You could be the one who inspires that person to make their voice heard this November.

And that’s the kind of impact that each of you have. That’s why we spend so much time and energy on our grassroots folks. That’s what's going to make the difference.

And I will say what I said before -- this journey will continue to be long, and it will continue to be hard. That is guaranteed. And there will be twists and turns along the way, things that will make you shudder. (Laughter.) But the truth is -- please, remember this -- that is how change always happens in this country -- always.

The reality is that real change is slow, and it never happens all at once. But if we keep showing up, if we keep fighting the good fight, doing what we know is right, then eventually we'll get there. We always have and we always will. Maybe not in our lifetimes, but maybe in our children's lifetimes, maybe in our grandchildren's lifetimes. Because in the end, that is what this is all about. In the end, we are not fighting these battles for ourselves, we are fighting them for our sons and our daughters; we are fighting them for our grandsons and our granddaughters. We're fighting for the world that we want to leave for them.

But all of that is at stake. All of that is on the line in November.

So it is time for us to get moving, right? Don't you agree? (Applause.) It is time for us to get to work. It's time for us to roll up our sleeves and multiply ourselves, and understand the difference that we can make.

So I have one final question for you all. I need to know from you today, are you in? Are you ready for this? (Applause.) Are you fired up about this? (Applause.) Have I have helped to convince just one more person to get a little more fired up, to do just a little more work and work just a little bit harder?

Because I am convinced that we will do, this time, what we did the last time because of all of you. That is the difference. That’s what we have on our side. We have you.

So I look forward to seeing all of you on the campaign trail in the weeks and months to come. We are going to work so hard and I am so fired up.

Thank you all so much. God bless.

END
3:28 P.M. MDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

May 01, 2012

Remarks by President Obama in Address to the Nation from Afghanistan

Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan

4:01 A.M. AFT

THE PRESIDENT: Good evening from Bagram Air Base. This outpost is more than 7,000 miles from home, but for over a decade it's been close to our hearts. Because here, in Afghanistan, more than half a million of our sons and daughters have sacrificed to protect our country.

Today, I signed a historic agreement between the United States and Afghanistan that defines a new kind of relationship between our countries -- a future in which Afghans are responsible for the security of their nation, and we build an equal partnership between two sovereign states; a future in which war ends, and a new chapter begins.

Tonight, I'd like to speak to you about this transition. But first, let us remember why we came here. It was here, in Afghanistan, where Osama bin Laden established a safe haven for his terrorist organization. It was here, in Afghanistan, where al Qaeda brought new recruits, trained them, and plotted acts of terror. It was here, from within these borders, that al Qaeda launched the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children.

And so, 10 years ago, the United States and our allies went to war to make sure that al Qaeda could never again use this country to launch attacks against us. Despite initial success, for a number of reasons, this war has taken longer than most anticipated. In 2002, bin Laden and his lieutenants escaped across the border and established safe haven in Pakistan. America spent nearly eight years fighting a different war in Iraq. And al Qaeda’s extremist allies within the Taliban have waged a brutal insurgency.

But over the last three years, the tide has turned. We broke the Taliban’s momentum. We’ve built strong Afghan security forces. We devastated al Qaeda’s leadership, taking out over 20 of their top 30 leaders. And one year ago, from a base here in Afghanistan, our troops launched the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. The goal that I set -- to defeat al Qaeda and deny it a chance to rebuild -- is now within our reach.

Still, there will be difficult days ahead. The enormous sacrifices of our men and women are not over. But tonight, I’d like to tell you how we will complete our mission and end the war in Afghanistan.

First, we've begun a transition to Afghan responsibility for security. Already, nearly half of the Afghan people live in places where Afghan security forces are moving into the lead. This month, at a NATO Summit in Chicago, our coalition will set a goal for Afghan forces to be in the lead for combat operations across the country next year. International troops will continue to train, advise and assist the Afghans, and fight alongside them when needed. But we will shift into a support role as Afghans step forward.

As we do, our troops will be coming home. Last year, we removed 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Another 23,000 will leave by the end of the summer. After that, reductions will continue at a steady pace, with more and more of our troops coming home. And as our coalition agreed, by the end of 2014 the Afghans will be fully responsible for the security of their country.

Second, we are training Afghan security forces to get the job done. Those forces have surged, and will peak at 352,000 this year. The Afghans will sustain that level for three years, and then reduce the size of their military. And in Chicago, we will endorse a proposal to support a strong and sustainable long-term Afghan force.

Third, we’re building an enduring partnership. The agreement we signed today sends a clear message to the Afghan people: As you stand up, you will not stand alone. It establishes the basis for our cooperation over the next decade, including shared commitments to combat terrorism and strengthen democratic institutions. It supports Afghan efforts to advance development and dignity for their people. And it includes Afghan commitments to transparency and accountability, and to protect the human rights of all Afghans -- men and women, boys and girls.

Within this framework, we’ll work with the Afghans to determine what support they need to accomplish two narrow security missions beyond 2014 -- counter-terrorism and continued training. But we will not build permanent bases in this country, nor will we be patrolling its cities and mountains. That will be the job of the Afghan people.

Fourth, we’re pursuing a negotiated peace. In coordination with the Afghan government, my administration has been in direct discussions with the Taliban. We’ve made it clear that they can be a part of this future if they break with al Qaeda, renounce violence and abide by Afghan laws. Many members of the Taliban -- from foot soldiers to leaders -- have indicated an interest in reconciliation. The path to peace is now set before them. Those who refuse to walk it will face strong Afghan security forces, backed by the United States and our allies.

Fifth, we are building a global consensus to support peace and stability in South Asia. In Chicago, the international community will express support for this plan and for Afghanistan’s future. And I have made it clear to its neighbor -- Pakistan -- that it can and should be an equal partner in this process in a way that respects Pakistan’s sovereignty, interests and democratic institutions. In pursuit of a durable peace, America has no designs beyond an end to al Qaeda safe havens and respect for Afghan sovereignty.

As we move forward, some people will ask why we need a firm timeline. The answer is clear: Our goal is not to build a country in America’s image, or to eradicate every vestige of the Taliban. These objectives would require many more years, many more dollars, and most importantly, many more American lives. Our goal is to destroy al Qaeda, and we are on a path to do exactly that. Afghans want to assert their sovereignty and build a lasting peace. That requires a clear timeline to wind down the war.

Others will ask, why don’t we leave immediately? That answer is also clear: We must give Afghanistan the opportunity to stabilize. Otherwise, our gains could be lost and al Qaeda could establish itself once more. And as Commander-in-Chief, I refuse to let that happen.

I recognize that many Americans are tired of war. As President, nothing is more wrenching than signing a letter to a family of the fallen, or looking into the eyes of a child who will grow up without a mother or father. I will not keep Americans in harm’s way a single day longer than is absolutely required for our national security. But we must finish the job we started in Afghanistan and end this war responsibly.

My fellow Americans, we’ve travelled through more than a decade under the dark cloud of war. Yet here, in the pre-dawn darkness of Afghanistan, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon. The Iraq war is over. The number of our troops in harm’s way has been cut in half, and more will soon be coming home. We have a clear path to fulfill our mission in Afghanistan, while delivering justice to al Qaeda.

This future is only within reach because of our men and women in uniform. Time and again, they have answered the call to serve in distant and dangerous places. In an age when so many institutions have come up short, these Americans stood tall. They met their responsibilities to one another, and to the flag they serve under. I just met with some of them and told them that as Commander-in-Chief, I could not be prouder. And in their faces, we see what is best in ourselves and our country.

Our soldiers, our sailors, our airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and civilians in Afghanistan have done their duty. Now we must summon that same sense of common purpose. We must give our veterans and military families the support they deserve, and the opportunities they have earned. And we must redouble our efforts to build a nation worthy of their sacrifice.

As we emerge from a decade of conflict abroad and economic crisis at home, it’s time to renew America -- an America where our children live free from fear and have the skills to claim their dreams. A united America of grit and resilience, where sunlight glistens off soaring new towers in downtown Manhattan, and we build our future as one people, as one nation.

Here in Afghanistan, Americans answered the call to defend their fellow citizens and uphold human dignity. Today, we recall the fallen and those who suffered wounds, both seen and unseen. But through dark days, we have drawn strength from their example and the ideals that have guided our nation and led the world -- a belief that all people are treated equal and deserve the freedom to determine their destiny. That is the light that guides us still.

This time of war began in Afghanistan and this is where it will end. With faith in each other and our eyes fixed on the future, let us finish the work at hand and forge a just and lasting peace.

May God bless our troops, and may God bless the United States of America.

END 4:12 A.M. AFT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

May 01, 2012

Remarks by President Obama and President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan at Signing of Strategic Partnership Agreement

Presidential Palace, Kabul, Afghanistan

May 2, 2012 AFT

12:00 A.M. AFT

PRESIDENT KARZAI: (Interpretation begins in progress) -- prosperity and peace for the people of Afghanistan.

Stability in Afghanistan and peace in Afghanistan -- people will sleep, will be safe in their house, and also law-abiding citizens. Their life will be -- will not threat their life by any forces. The people of Afghanistan in past three decades, they didn’t have this, so now they want. This is the responsibility of government of Afghanistan to fulfill the wishes of the people of Afghanistan to a better life, better future, and peace and prosperity and changing to reality for them.

For us, people of Afghanistan, this is a very important year in our life of our country and the people of Afghanistan. The people of Afghanistan want the transition of Afghanistan before 2014, end of 2014, with all the responsibility and take the responsibility for the people of Afghanistan as one of our responsibility we have to take.

Accepting this responsibility -- all the forces who were in Afghanistan the past 10 years, they worked with us, helped us and supported us -- go back to their country. And of course, the people of Afghanistan will never forget their help and their support, and also their relationship with this country. We will start a new start with this relationship and we will continue with this relationship.

Mr. President, sir, I just want to say all the help and support the people of the United States to the people of Afghanistan did, I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart, sir. And I just thank you. And also, we just want to thank you, sir, for all the -- which is provide all the necessity to bring this strategic partnership for signing tonight. And I just thank you, all your team -- Ryan Crocker, Ambassador Crocker, General Allen -- I thank them for the hard work that with our team worked together. They very patiently worked together to continue this dialogue. Today we will see the result of this talking and communication -- today we sign.

And I just want to thank you. I just ask you, sir, to -- give your speech, sir. Thank you very much.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: President Karzai, the leaders of the Afghan government and society who are here, and most of all, to the Afghan people, thank you so much for welcoming me here today, especially in these beautiful surroundings.

I, too, want to thank Ambassador Ryan Crocker and National Security Advisor Spanta and their teams for the extraordinary work that brought about this day.

I’ve come to Afghanistan to mark a historic moment for our two nations, and to do so on Afghan soil. I’m here to affirm the bonds between our countries, to thank American and Afghans who have sacrificed so much over these last 10 years, and to look forward to a future of peace and security and greater prosperity for our nations.

Neither Americans nor the Afghan people asked for this war. Yet, for a decade, we’ve stood together to drive al Qaeda from its camps, to battle an insurgency, and to give the people of Afghanistan the possibility to live in peace and in dignity. The wages of war have been great for both our nations. But today, with the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement, we look forward to a future of peace.

Together, we’ve made much progress. We’ve reached an agreement to transition detention facilities to Afghan control, and to put Afghans in the lead on special operations. And today, we’re agreeing to be long-term partners in combating terrorism, and training Afghan security forces, strengthening democratic institutions and supporting development, and protecting human rights of all Afghans. With this agreement, the Afghan people in the world should know that Afghanistan has a friend and a partner in the United States.

Mr. President, there will be difficult days ahead. But as we move forward with our transition, I’m confident that Afghan forces will grow stronger, the Afghan people will take control of their future. With this agreement, I am confident that the Afghan people will understand that the United States will stand by them, and they will know that the United States can achieve our goal of destroying al Qaeda and denying it a safe haven, but at the same time, we have the capacity to wind down this war and usher in a new era of peace here in Afghanistan.

Mr. President, I’m reminded of all who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan, including members of your own family. I pay tribute to those Afghans who have lost their lives alongside our men and women, and sacrificed for their country. Of course, our hearts are heavy as we remember so many who have died in this war. I’m grateful that this agreement pays tribute to the sacrifices made by the American people here in Afghanistan.

As I’ve said before, the United States has not come here to claim resources or to claim territory. We came with a very clear mission: We came to destroy al Qaeda. And we have enormous respect for Afghan sovereignty and the dignity of the Afghan people. Together, we’re now committed to replacing war with peace and pursuing a more hopeful future as equal partners.

To borrow words from this agreement, we are committed to seeking a future of justice, peace, security, and opportunity. And I’m confident that although our challenges are not yet behind us, that the future before us is bright.

Thank you so much, Mr. President. (Applause.)

(The Strategic Partnership Agreement is signed.)

END 12:15 A.M. AFT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

May 01, 2012

Remarks by President Obama to the Troops in Afghanistan

Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan

1:21 A.M. AFT

THE PRESIDENT: Hooah! How’s everybody doing tonight? Hooah! (Applause.)

TROOPS: Hooah! (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: It is good to be back here with all of you. (Applause.)

I’ve got a few acknowledgments I’ve got to make before I say what I’ve got to say. First of all, somebody who has served our country with the kind of distinction that doesn’t happen a lot, somebody who has been a leader for you and a leader for our country for a very long time -- give your commander, General John Allen, a big, big round of applause. (Applause.)

We also have somebody who is John’s partner on the civilian side and has made extraordinary sacrifices, first in Iraq, now in Afghanistan -- Ambassador Ryan Crocker is here. Please give him a big round of applause. (Applause.)

All right, now, let me just see if I’ve got this right. We’ve got the First Infantry Division in the house. (Hooah!) We’ve got the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. (Hooah!) We’ve got the Task Force Muleskinner. (Hooah!) We’ve got the 101st Army Field Sustainment Brigade.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Hooah! (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: We’ve got Task Force Paladin in the house. (Hooah!) And we’ve got Task Force Defender in the house. (Hooah!) And we’ve got me in the house. (Applause.) Eighty-second in the house -- 82nd in the house. (Hooah!) You know, somebody is going to be in trouble that they didn’t have 82nd on here. Anybody else I’m missing? There you go. All right. I love all of you.

Now, listen, I’m not going to give a long speech. I’m going to have the opportunity to address the nation from Bagram just in a little bit, and it’s going to be broadcast back home during primetime. So all I want to do is just say thank you.

The sacrifices all of you have made, the sacrifices your families make every single day are what make America free and what make America secure. And I know that sometimes, out here, when you’re in theater, it’s not clear whether folks back home fully appreciate what’s going on. And let’s face it, a lot of times it’s easier to get bad news on the news than good news.

But here’s the good news, and here’s part of the reason that I’m here. I just finished signing a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Afghanistan that signals the transition in which we are going to be turning over responsibility for Afghan security to the Afghans. We're not going to do it overnight. We're not going to do it irresponsibly. We're going to make sure that the gains, the hard-fought gains that have been made are preserved. But the reason we're able to do that is because of you. The reason that the Afghans have an opportunity for a new tomorrow is because of you. And the reason America is safe is because of you.

We did not choose this war. This war came to us on 9/11. And there are a whole bunch of folks here, I'll bet, who signed up after 9/11.

TROOPS: Hooah!

THE PRESIDENT: We don't go looking for a fight. But when we see our homeland violated, when we see our fellow citizens killed, then we understand what we have to do. And because of the sacrifices now of a decade, and a new Greatest Generation, not only were we able to blunt the Taliban momentum, not only were we able to drive al Qaeda out of Afghanistan, but slowly and systematically we have been able to decimate the ranks of al Qaeda, and a year ago we were able to finally bring Osama bin Laden to justice.

TROOPS: Hooah! (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: That could have only happened because each and every one of you, in your own way, were doing your jobs. Each and every one of you -- without a lot of fanfare, without a lot of fuss -- you did your jobs. No matter how small or how big, you were faithful to the oath that you took to protect this nation. And your families did their job -- supporting you and loving you and remembering you and being there for you.

And so, together, you guys represent what is best in America. And you're part of a long line of those who have worn this uniform to make sure that we are free and secure, to make sure that those of us at home have the capacity to live our lives. And when you're missing a birthday or you're missing a soccer game or when you're missing an anniversary, and those of us back home are able to enjoy it, it's because of you.

And I'm here to tell you, everybody in America knows that. And everybody in America appreciates it. And everybody in America honors it. And when the final chapter of this war is written, historians will look back and say, not only was this the greatest fighting force in the history of the world, but all of you also represented the values of America in an exemplary way.

I could not be prouder of you. And I want you to understand, I know it's still tough. I know the battle is not yet over. Some of your buddies are going to get injured, and some of your buddies may get killed. And there’s going to be heartbreak and pain and difficulty ahead. But there’s a light on the horizon because of the sacrifices you’ve made. And that’s the reason why for Michelle and me nothing is more important than looking after your families while you’re here. And I want everybody here to know that when you get home, we are going to be there for you when you’re in uniform and we will stay there for you when you’re out of uniform. Because you’ve earned it; you earned a special place in our hearts. And I could not be prouder to be your Commander-in-Chief.

God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. Now I want to shake some hands. (Applause.)

END 1:30 A.M. AFT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

May 01, 2012

Excerpts of the President’s Address to the Nation from Afghanistan

As Prepared for Delivery –

“Already, nearly half the Afghan people live in places where Afghan Security Forces are moving into the lead. This month, at a NATO Summit in Chicago, our coalition will set a goal for Afghan forces to be in the lead for combat operations across the country next year. International troops will continue to train, advise and assist the Afghans, and fight alongside them when needed. But we will shift into a support role as Afghans step forward.

As we do, our troops will be coming home. Last year, we removed 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Another 23,000 will leave by the end of the summer. After that, reductions will continue at a steady pace, with more of our troops coming home. And as our coalition agreed, by the end of 2014 the Afghans will be fully responsible for the security of their country.”

“My fellow Americans, we have traveled through more than a decade under the dark cloud of war. Yet here, in the pre-dawn darkness of Afghanistan, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon. The Iraq War is over. The number of our troops in harm’s way has been cut in half, and more will be coming home soon. We have a clear path to fulfill our mission in Afghanistan, while delivering justice to al Qaeda.

This future is only within reach because of our men and women in uniform. Time and again, they have answered the call to serve in distant and dangerous places. In an age when so many institutions have come up short, these Americans stood tall. They met their responsibilities to one another, and the flag they serve under. I just met with some of them, and told them that as Commander-in-Chief, I could not be prouder. In their faces, we see what is best in ourselves and our country.”…

“As we emerge from a decade of conflict abroad and economic crisis at home, it is time to renew America. An America where our children live free from fear, and have the skills to claim their dreams. A united America of grit and resilience, where sunlight glistens off soaring new towers in downtown Manhattan, and we build our future as one people, as one nation.”

“This time of war began in Afghanistan, and this is where it will end.”

###

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release

May 01, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at a Grassroots Event - Las Vegas

The Springs Preserve
Las Vegas, Nevada

10:31 A.M. PDT

MRS. OBAMA: Yes! Yes! Yes, we can! Yes, we can! (Applause.) You all, oh, this feels so good. Thank you all so much. (Applause.) I am beyond thrilled to be here with all of you today. Oh, my goodness.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: We're happy to have you! (Laughter and applause.)

MRS. OBAMA: Let me start by thanking Loretta for that very kind, very passionate, very heartfelt introduction and for her outstanding work with our young people, work as a neighborhood team leader, and as a National Co-Chair. Let’s give her a big old round of applause. Loretta -- way to go. (Applause.)

I also want to thank Reverend Chaney for his invocation earlier in the program. Is that your Reverend? Is that your Reverend? (Applause.) And I want to thank Rubin for getting everybody pumped up this morning. (Applause.) Did a good job; well done, well done, well done. And I also want to recognize your state party chairwoman, Roberta Lange, who is here -- thank her for her leadership here in this state. (Applause.)

And finally, the reason why I am here is to thank all of you. I mean, truly, thank you for your extraordinary volunteer work. Thank you for all the organizing you do. Thank you for everything you do, day in and day out, to make this campaign possible. Truly, truly -- (applause) -- you all are doing the hard work. Thank you for knocking on those doors. Thank you for making all those phone calls. Thank you for registering those voters. I want to thank you for giving folks the information about the issues that they care about. That is so important.

I want to thank you all for that kind of grassroots work that you all are doing to get people focused and fired up. Because what you have to know is that that kind of work -- all that you're doing -- is at the core of our campaign. That’s who we are, right? That’s what we do, right? We reach out. We reach out; we bring folks from all different backgrounds into this democratic process, right? That’s how we did it four years ago, and that is exactly how we are going to do it again today, right? (Applause.)

And the one thing I know is that the work you do is not easy. I know you all are putting in long hours. And I know you all have busy lives. You’ve got families you're trying to raise, jobs you've got to do; many of you have got classes you're attending -- way to go. (Applause.)

But I also know there’s a reason you all are devoting so much of your lives to this cause. And there’s a reason why I’m here today. And it’s not just because we support one extraordinary man –- (applause) -- yes. Although I am a little biased -- (laughter) -- I think my husband has been a phenomenal President. (Applause.)

And it’s not just because we want to win an election -- which we do. But we’re doing this because of the values we believe in. We’re doing this because of the vision for this country that we all share -- all of us. We're doing this because we want our children to have schools worthy of their promise -– schools that push them, schools that inspire them, that prepare them for good jobs. We want our kids to have clean air, safe streets, and we want them to grow up in a world that is peaceful and secure.

We want our parents and our grandparents to retire with dignity, because we believe that after a lifetime of hard work they should enjoy their golden years. Amen?

AUDIENCE: Amen! (Applause.)

MRS. OBAMA: We want to restore that basic middle-class security for our families, because we believe that folks shouldn’t go bankrupt because they get sick; we believe they shouldn’t lose their home because someone loses a job. We believe, as Loretta said, that responsibility should be rewarded. We believe that hard work should pay off. We believe that everyone should do their fair share, but play by the same rules. (Applause.)

And what we know is that these are basic American values. They’re the values that so many of us were raised with, including myself. As you all know -- you know my story -- my father was a blue-collar city worker; worked at the city water plant his entire life. And my family lived in a little-bitty apartment on the South Side of Chicago. South Side! Chicago! (Applause.) My mother still lives in that house. My room looks exactly the same. (Laughter.) Same bed sheets, same pictures on the wall. (Laughter.) Same little-bitty furniture. (Laughter.)

But neither of my parents had the opportunity to go to college. But let me tell you what my parents did do, which was probably even more valuable: They saved and they sacrificed everything; they poured everything they had into us because they wanted my brother and I to get an education they could only dream of. And while pretty much all of my college tuition came from student loans and grants -- how many people are in that position? (Applause.) My dad, he still paid a small portion of that tuition himself. And every semester, he was determined to pay that bill on time. My father was so proud to be sending his kids to college, and he couldn’t bear the thought of me or my brother missing that registration deadline because his check was late.

Like so many people in this country, my father took great pride in being able to earn a living that allowed him to handle his responsibilities to his family -- to pay all of his bills and to pay them on time. See, and more than anything else, that’s what’s at stake. That’s what’s at stake. 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. (Applause.)

That’s what we’re working for, but that’s what we need you to tell people. With every door you knock on -- know this: With every call you make, with every conversation you have, you have to tell folks about our values. You’ve got to tell them about our vision, about everything that’s at stake this November. That’s your job.

You can tell them first 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. Tell them that. Remind people how back when Barack first took office, our economy was losing an average of 750,000 jobs every single month. That’s what he walked into. But for the past 25 months, let them know, we have actually been gaining private sector jobs -- a total of 4 million jobs in two years. (Applause.)

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

You can also remind people 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. But back then, Barack had the backs of American workers, and as a result today the auto industry is back on its feet again. And more importantly, people are back to work. (Applause.) They are back to work providing for their families again.

And you can tell people how because we passed health reform -- Loretta mentioned this -- because of that work, insurance companies will have to cover preventative care -- things like contraception, cancer screenings, prenatal care -- at no extra cost. (Applause.) Because of this reform, millions of our seniors have saved an average of more than $600 a year on their prescription drugs -- because of health reform. (Applause.) And kids can stay on parents' insurance until they're 26 years old. (Applause.) Let people know that that is how 2.5 million of our young people are now getting the health care they need.

You can tell people about what Barack has done to raise standards in our public schools and make college more affordable so that young people can get the education they need for those good jobs they deserve. Right? (Applause.)

We need you to tell people this -- tell people how Barack has been fighting so hard for the DREAM Act -- (applause) -- so that responsible young immigrants who came here as children and were raised as Americans can earn a pathway to citizenship by going to college and serving in the military. (Applause.)

You can tell folks that our troops no longer have to lie about who they are to serve the country they love because my husband ended "don't ask, don't tell." (Applause.)

It is now easier for women to get equal pay for equal work because of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. (Applause.) This was the very first bill my husband signed into law.

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

But what we cannot forget is that all of that is at stake this November. All of it is on the line. And 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?

AUDIENCE: No!

MRS. OBAMA: Oh, we know what we need to do, right?

AUDIENCE: Yes!

MRS. OBAMA: We can’t turn back now.

AUDIENCE: No!

MRS. OBAMA: We can't -- we need to keep moving forward.

AUDIENCE: Yes!

MRS. OBAMA: Because while we’ve come a long way these past few years, we have so much more work to do. So much more. 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. All of us. And that is what your President has been doing every single day in office. (Applause.) Every single day.

And let me share something with you. Over the past three and a half years, I’ve had the chance to see up close and personal what being President looks like. Right? I've seen it. I’ve seen how the issues that come across a President’s desk are always the hard ones -- always. The problems with no easy solutions. The judgment calls where the stakes are so high, and the margin of error so small. And as President, you can get all kinds of advice -- you will -- advice and opinions from all kinds of people. But at the end of the day, when it comes time to make that decision, a President -- all a President has to guide him is those values. His vision. His life experience. That’s it. (Applause.)

In the end, when you’re making those impossible choices, it all boils down to who you are and what you stand for. (Applause.) And we all know who my husband is, don’t we? (Applause.) We all know what he stands for. We all know what he stands for.

He is the son of a single mother who struggled to pay the bills, put herself through school. He is the grandson of a woman who woke up before dawn every day to catch a bus to a job at the bank. And even though Barack’s grandmother worked hard to help support the family, and she was good at her job, like so many, she hit that glass ceiling and watched men no more qualified than she was be promoted up the ladder ahead of her.

See, so what you have to know about your President is that 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, he knows what it means to want something better for your kids.

See, 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 think about this: When it comes time to stand up for American workers and American families, you know what my husband’s going to do, right? When there’s a choice about protecting our rights and our freedoms, you know where Barack stands. And when we need a leader to make the hard decisions to keep this country moving forward, you know you can count on Barack, because that is what he’s been doing every day as President of the United States -- every day. But I have said this before --

AUDIENCE: He’s got you! (Laughter and applause.)

MRS. OBAMA: And we have all of you. (Applause.) See, because I have said this before, and I will say it again and again and again: Barack cannot do this alone. That was never the promise. He needs your help. He needs all of you to keep giving just a little part of your lives each week for this campaign. He needs you to keep on pounding that pavement and signing your friends up, your neighbors up, your colleagues. Get them to sign those “I’m In” cards. He needs you to recruit even more volunteers, even more organizers and show them how their day-to-day efforts will absolutely make the difference -- absolutely.

And he needs you to send people to a website called gottaregister.com. This is important. We created this website to help folks from every state in this country to register to vote and find out where to cast their ballots. That’s an important website.

And just let me say this: If you have any doubt about the difference that you are making, I just want you to remember that in the end, this could all come down to just that last few thousand people we register to vote. Understand that it could all come down to those last few thousand people we help get to the polls on November the sixth. And I want you to think for a minute about what these kind of numbers mean when they’re spread out over an entire state. It might mean registering just one more person in your town -- just one more. It might mean helping just one more person in your community get out and vote on Election Day -- just one more.

So know this: With every door you knock on, with every call you make, with every conversation you have, I want you to remember that this could be the one that makes the difference. Treat every call, every interaction like that. This could be the one. You could be the one who inspires someone to make their voice heard this November. You could be the one. That is the impact that each of you can have. And that is why we invest so much time and effort at the grassroots level. Because we know that that’s where it matters; that’s where we need you the most.

So I’m going to ask you one last question: Are you in? (Applause.) Are you in? (Applause) Oh, I am in. We are going to get this done. I am so fired up. I hope you are, too. You all fired up?

AUDIENCE: Yes!

MRS. OBAMA: I cannot wait to get out there with you all. We are going to be working so hard every single day. Thank you all for everything you’ve done. We love you so much.

God bless you all. Keep it up.

END
10:51 A.M. PDT

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release

May 01, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at a Campaign Event - Las Vegas

The Springs Preserve
Las Vegas, Nevada

9:29 A.M. PDT

MRS. OBAMA: Oh, wow, thank you so much. (Applause.) Thank you all. And it smells so good in here. (Laughter.) You all, please, rest yourselves. It is truly a pleasure and an honor to be here with all of you. I want to start by thanking Jenna for that very kind introduction and all of her hard work today. She has been just a true-blue friend and supporter from the very beginning, before anybody knew who Barack or Michelle Obama was. I remember our first meeting, and she was as fired up as she is today, and I am so grateful to her. So let’s give her a big round of applause. (Applause.)

And I also want to thank The Springs Reserve [sic] and the Culinary Academy for hosting us here today. This is a beautiful site. As often as I have been here, I didn't know this was here. This is a true treasure, and it's my hope that I can come back with a little more quiet -- (applause) -- with the girls and really get to experience this place. And, you all, the food is amazing. Thank you for investing your time and your talent. It means the world to all of us, right -- good food. (Laughter and applause.)

I also want to recognize Representative Shelly Berkeley and former Representative Dina Titus. They are here. Thank you all so much. Thanks for joining us. Thank you for your support and your leadership. (Applause.) It's great to see you all this morning.

And I also want to give a hello and a thank you to our co-chairs -- Senator Steven Horsford and Sonya, as well as Julie Murray. You guys -- yay! (Applause.) Way to go. Thank you for doing everything to make today so special and such a great success.

And finally, I have to thank all of you. Thank you for your support. Truly, thank you for taking the time out of your busy days to be here this morning. And I know that there’s a reason that you all are here. And it's not just for a little good food and to see me -- which is okay, too. (Laughter.) But I know that you’re here because this November, we are going to make a choice that will impact our lives for decades to come. And I know you’re here because you know that choice is not just going to affect all of us, but it will affect our children and our grandchildren, and it's going to affect the world we leave behind for them long after we’re gone. And that is truly why I’m here as well.

You see, as First Lady, I have had the privilege of traveling all across this country, and I've had the opportunity to meet with folks from all different backgrounds and hear what’s going on in their daily lives. And every day, I hear about how people are trying to keep it together -- the bills they're trying to pay, the businesses they’re trying to keep afloat, the home they love but are struggling to afford.

But let me tell you something, no matter what they’re going through, no matter what the challenges are they face, they keep working, they keep sacrificing because they desperately want something better for their kids. That's what we all do. We all believe in the fundamental vision for our economy that we all share -– the idea, as Barack says, that hard work should pay off, that responsibility should be rewarded, and that everyone should get a fair shot, but also do their fair share, and play by the same rules.

And truly, these are values that are at the foundation of an economy that's built to last. It's really our values. They are basic American values -- the values that so many of us were raised with, including myself. I have told my story time and time again: My father was a blue-collar city worker who worked for the city water plant his entire life, and my family lived in a little-bitty apartment on the South Side of Chicago. And neither of my parents had the chance to go to college, but like so many parents in their position, what they were able to do was probably even more important -- they saved; they sacrificed; they put everything they had into me and my brother so that we could get the kind of education they only dreamed of.

And truly, more than anything else, that is what’s at stake. That's what we're working for -- that fundamental promise that no matter who you are or how you started out, if you work hard, you can achieve a decent life for yourself and an even better life for your kids. And on just about every issue, that is the choice we face.

And we can start with just looking at those tax cuts that my husband passed for middle-class families. And let me tell you what that's about, why that's so important. Because that’s about whether people can heat their homes; that's about whether they can send their kids to college; it's about whether these folks can retire with a little security and dignity. It’s about putting more money in people’s pockets so that we can put more money into our economy, which means more jobs. And it’s also about making sure that everyone pays their fair share.

I mean, that’s why Barack proposed what he calls the Buffett Rule -- to close tax loopholes for millionaires and billionaires so that they aren’t paying lower tax rates than firefighters and teachers. That’s what that's about. (Applause.) But that's what's at stake.

And how about everything my husband has done to create jobs in this economy? Think back to earlier when all those folks in Washington were telling Barack to let the auto industry go under, with more than a million jobs on the line. Remember that? But what did Barack do? Barack had the backs of American workers. He put his faith in the American people. And as a result, today, the auto industry is back on its feet again, and more importantly, people are back to work providing for their families again. (Applause.)

And also think back when Barack first took office -- this economy was losing an average of 750,000 jobs a month. That's what he inherited. That's what he walked into. But for the past 25 straight months, we have actually been gaining private sector jobs -– a total of more than 4 million jobs in two years. (Applause.)

So while we still have a long way to go to rebuild our economy, today millions of folks are collecting a paycheck again. But all that is at stake. And that's the choice we face.

And what about all that this administration has done for small businesses? These are the companies that create two-thirds of all jobs in this economy -- two-thirds of all jobs. I’m talking about -- this is the mom who opens up the drycleaners down the street to help provide for her kids. I mean, this is that family that’s been running that neighborhood diner for generations. See, but for these folks, that small business tax cut that this administration passed, that means the difference between these people hiring new employees or handing out pink slips; this is the difference between them keeping their doors open or closing up shop for good. But that's the choice we face.

And how about the very first bill my husband signed into law to help women get equal pay for equal work -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act? He did this because he knows what it means when women aren’t treated fairly in the workplace. He watched his own grandmother -– a woman with a high school education -– she worked her way up to become the vice president of a small community bank. And his grandmother worked hard, and she was good at her job. But like so many women, she hit a glass ceiling, and watched men no more qualified than she was –- men she had actually trained -– be promoted up the corporate ladder ahead of her.

So what I want you to know is that for Barack, these issues aren’t abstract. These aren’t hypotheticals. He signed this bill because he knows that closing that pay gap will mean the difference between women losing $50, $100, $500 for each paycheck, or having that money in their pockets to buy gas and groceries and put clothes on the backs of their kids. He did it because when so many women are now breadwinners for their families, women’s success in this economy is the key to families’ success in this economy. But that’s what’s at stake. (Applause.) All of that we’re working for.

And let’s talk, just for a minute, about health care. Two years ago, we made history together by finally passing health reform. Because this law was passed, insurance companies will have to cover basic preventative care at no extra cost -- things like mammograms, contraception, prenatal care. And they can no longer deny our children coverage because they have preexisting conditions -- things like diabetes and asthma. (Applause.) Our children can now stay on their parents’ insurance until they’re 26 years old, so that when they graduate from college, they won’t have to go out without insurance while they’re just starting out in life, trying to build their careers. And that’s how 2.5 million of our young people in this country are getting their health care coverage today.

And since we passed that law, millions of our seniors have saved an average of $600 a year on their prescription drugs. So we have to ask ourselves, are we going to take all those savings away? Is that what we’re going to do? Or are we going to allow insurance companies to refuse to cover our children? Or will we say that in this country, in America, no one should have to choose between going bankrupt or watching their child suffer because they can’t afford a doctor? But that’s really the choice we face. That’s why we’re here.

And just think, for a moment, about all that we’re doing to give our kids a good education. Think about the investments to raise standards and to reform our public schools. Think about how my husband has been working so hard for the DREAM Act. See, this about responsible young immigrants who came here as children and were raised as Americans. It’s a way for them to earn a path to citizenship by going to college and serving in our military.

And think about how my husband has taken billions of dollars in taxpayer money that used to go to middleman banks and lenders, and he sent it where it belongs -– into the hands of millions of our young people so that they can go to college. And these kind of investments won’t just determine our children’s success; they will determine nothing less than the future and success of our entire economy. They will determine whether we’re prepared to make the discoveries and build the industries that will allow us compete with any country, anywhere in the world. That’s what this is about. That’s what’s at stake.

And let us not forget about my husband appointing those two brilliant Supreme Court justices. (Applause.) And for the first time in history, our daughters and our sons watched three women take their seat on our nation’s highest courts. And we cannot forget the impact those Court decisions will have on our lives for decades to come -– on our privacy and security, on whether we speak freely, worship openly, and yes, love whomever we choose. But that’s what’s at stake. That is the choice we’re facing. (Applause.)

And then there’s all this administration has done to keep this country safe and restore our standing in the world. Thanks to our brave men and women in uniform, we finally brought to justice the man behind the 9/11 attacks and so many other horrific acts of violence.

My husband kept his promise. He ended the war in Iraq. He brought our troops home. And we are working every day to make sure that they and their families get the benefits and the respect and the love and admiration that they have earned.

And finally, because my husband ended “don’t ask, don’t tell,” our troops will never again have to lie about who they are to serve the country they love. (Applause.)

But all of that’s at stake this November. So make no mistake about it, whether it’s health care or our economy, whether it’s education or foreign policy, the choice we make this November will determine nothing less than who we are as a country. But more importantly, it will determine who we want to be. Who are we?

Will we be that country that -- where opportunity is limited to just a few at the top? Is that who we are? Or will we be a place where if you work hard, you can get ahead, no matter who you are or how you started out? We have to ask ourselves, who are we? Will we tell folks who have been doing everything right but are struggling just a little bit, are we going to look them in the eye and tell them, “tough luck, you’re on your own”? Is that who we are?

Or will we honor that fundamental American belief that we’re all in this together, and this country we are strongest when we’re all better off? Who are we? Will we continue all this wonderful change we’ve begun, the progress we’ve made? Or will we just let it all slip away?

Well, we know who we are. We know who we are. We know that we cannot turn back now. We cannot turn back now. We need to keep moving forward. (Applause.)

And what I tell everybody everywhere I go, you have to understand, your President understands this. He knows this more than you can imagine. He understands these issues because he’s lived them. He was raised by a single mother who struggled to pay the family’s bills. And when she couldn’t keep it together, who stepped up? His grandmother, getting up every morning before dawn to catch that bus to her job at the bank. And even though she was passed over again and again for all those promotions, she never complained. How many people do we know like that in our lives? She never complained. She just kept showing up, kept doing her best.

So believe me, Barack knows what it means when a family struggles. He knows what it means when someone doesn’t have a chance to fulfill their potential, how that hurts. Those experiences have made him the man, but more importantly, the President he is today. And we are blessed to have him. We are. (Applause.)

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

And I hear the passion and determination in his voice. He says, “You won’t believe what people are going through.” He says, “Michelle, this is not right. We’ve got so much more work to do. We’ve got to fix this.”

See, what you have to know about your President is that when it comes to the people he meets, he has a memory like a steel trap. He may not remember your name, but if he’s had a few moments and a decent conversation, he will never forget your story. It becomes imprinted on his heart. And that is what he is carrying with him every single day -– it is our collections of challenges and our hopes and our dreams.

That is where Barack Obama gets his passion. That is where he gets his toughness and his fight. And that’s why, even in the hardest moments, when it seems like all is lost, Barack Obama never loses sight of the end goal -- never. Never gets distracted by the chatter and the noise. Just like his grandmother, he just gets up and he keeps moving forward -- keeps moving forward.

But I have said this before; I said it here in Las Vegas, I will say it again: He cannot do this alone. That was never the promise. He needs all of you. He needs your help. He needs you to make those calls, to register those voters. He needs you to take those “I’m In” cards -- I know you’ve seen them; if you haven’t, find them, take them. Sign up. Sign up your friends. Sign up your neighbors. Sign up your colleagues. Convince them about why it’s so important just to give a little bit of themselves, a little bit of investment each week to this campaign.

And if you have any doubt about the difference that you can make, I just want you to remember that in the end, this election could come down to just a few thousand people that we register. It could all come down to those last few thousand folks we help get to the poll on November -- right? And I want you to just think for a minute about those numbers and what that means when they’re spread out over an entire state.

It means that registering maybe just one more person in your town; it might mean helping just one more person in your community get out and vote on Election Day -- one more. So with every door you knock on, with every call you make, with every conversation that you have with people in your lives, just remember that this could be the one that makes the difference. That’s how you have to think about it.

I know that’s how -- every speech I give, this could be the room where the one is there who can make the difference. You could be the one who inspires someone to make their voice heard in November. That’s the impact that each of you can have. And don’t ever underestimate that.

And I’m not going to kid you, this journey is going to be long. And it is going to be hard. That is guaranteed. And there will be plenty of twists and turns along the way. But what we have to remember is that the truth is, that’s how change always happens in this country. It always does. The reality is that real change is slow, and it never happens all at once. But if we keep showing up, if we keep fighting the good fight, then eventually we get there. We always do. We always have. Maybe not in our lifetimes, but maybe in our children’s lifetimes, maybe in our grandchildren’s lifetimes.

Because in the end, that is what this is about. We are not fighting these battles for ourselves. We are fighting them for our sons and our daughters. We’re fighting them for our grandsons and our granddaughters. And like so many people who came before us, that fought for us to stand here, we are fighting for the world we want to leave for them. And that’s what’s at stake.

So it’s time for us to get moving, don’t you think? Don’t you think it’s time for us to get moving? (Applause.)

So let me end with just one question that I need to know from you after this: Are you in? (Applause.) I need to know -- are you in? How in are you? Are you as in as I’m in? Because I’m way, way far into this, because I know what’s at stake. I know the kind of country that I want to leave for my kids. And I know I can’t stand on the sidelines and let somebody else fight these battles for us. (Applause.)

Barack Obama is the President we need, and he needs you working right alongside him. I look forward to working with all of you in the months and years ahead.

Thank you all, and God bless.

END
9:53 A.M. PDT

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release

May 01, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at a Campaign Event

Tucson Convention Center
Tucson, Arizona

6:56 P.M. MST

MRS. OBAMA: Oh my goodness! (Applause.) All right. You all sound like you’re already fired up and ready to go, so I’ll just take my shoes off and go home. (Laughter.) Thank you so much. Thank you.   Can you all hear me? I just want to make sure. I’m a little taller. (Laughter.)

But let me tell you, it is a pleasure and truly an honor to be here with all of you, to be back in Tucson. I just can’t tell you how special this place is to us.

I want to start by thanking Maria Elena for that very kind introduction. Let’s give her a round of applause. (Applause.) She gave me shoelaces, and I was like okay -- so we took a picture with our shoelaces. She told me she would explain them and now I am proud to have my shoelaces. Thank you so much.

I also want to recognize a few dear people here. Congressman Grilalba is here, who has just been amazing. (Applause.) And his beautiful daughter who was just -– she was just –- now she’s bigger! Oh my god, the years! Granddaughter -- well, did I say daughter? Granddaughter, of course. I mean, you look good, but not that good. (Laughter.) She’s a preciousness.

I also want to thank Mayor Rothchild for being here as well. (Applause.) Your State Party Chair, Bill Roe, who’s been doing an amazing job. (Applause.) Thank you all for your leadership and service. I know we’re going to do it here because of people like you. I know we are. (Applause.)

And, wow, wasn’t Calexico -- they were amazing. Amazing. (Applause.) I got to hear a little bit backstage, very good. Thank you all, thanks for that wonderful performance.

I also want to recognize Ron Barber. (Applause.) He is going to do a fantastic job representing his district in Washington. We will be happy to have him out there. (Applause.)

And we are thrilled to have Gloria Giffords here with us this evening. (Applause.) Gloria! She knows how proud we are of her daughter. I mean, we are so inspired by Gabby’s courage and her determination, and I just want you to know that we love her and we are with her, with you, with the family every step of the way. Thank you for taking the time to be here. (Applause.)

And finally, I just want to thank all of you. This is a wonderful crowd. Look at you guys, looking so good here. Thank you all. Thank you for your support, and for taking the time to be here this evening. Is it evening now? I’m having a hard time keeping up with what time of day is it; I started in D.C. at 7 a.m. or something like that, so I think this is the second half of my day or something like that. But I’m thrilled to be here.

And I know that there’s a reason why you all are here. And it’s not just to see me -- although I’m thrilled for those of you who came to see me. (Laughter and applause.)

But you’re here because you know that this November -- and the time is ticking –- we are going to make a choice that will impact our lives for decades to come. And you’re here because you know that choice won’t just affect all of us, but it’s going to affect our children, our grandchildren, and, more importantly, the world we leave behind for them long after we’re gone.

And truly, that is why I’m here as well. That’s why I’m going to be out there working as hard as I can over the next several months. Because as First Lady, I have had the privilege of traveling all across this great country, and I get to meet folks from all different backgrounds. I get to hear what’s going on in their daily lives. And every day, I hear about the challenges people are facing. I hear about the bills they’re trying to pay, about the businesses they’re trying to keep afloat, the home they love but are struggling to afford.

But no matter what folks are going through, let me tell you -- no matter what challenges they face, they keep on working. They keep on sacrificing. Why? Because they desperately want something better for their kids. They believe in that fundamental vision for our economy that we all share. Regardless of who we are, we share this vision: The idea, as Barack says, that hard work should pay off, that responsibility should be rewarded, and that everyone in this country should get a fair shot but play by the same rules. (Applause.)

And we have to remember that those values are the foundation of an economy built to last.   And they’re basic American values -- the values that so many of us were raised with, including myself.

By now, you know my story. My father was a blue collar worker at the city water plant, and he worked there his entire life. My family, we lived in a little bitty apartment on the South Side of Chicago over my aunt’s house. My mom still lives in that house to this day and my room looks exactly the way it did when I was a teenager, down to the bedspread and the pictures on the wall. (Laughter.) She hasn’t touched a thing.

But neither of my parents had the chance to go to college. But let me tell you what they did -- they saved everything, and they sacrificed everything. They poured everything they had into us, because they wanted something more for me and my brother.

And truly, more than anything else, the reason why we’re here is because that’s what’s at stake -- that fundamental promise that no matter who you are, no matter how you started out, if you work hard you can build a decent life for yourself, but more importantly, an even better life for your kids. And let me tell you, on just about every issue that is the choice we face.

Let’s start with all those tax cuts that my husband passed for middle-class families. Think about it. Those cuts are about whether people can heat their homes -- that’s what that’s about. They’re about whether they can send their kids to college; whether they can retire with a little dignity, a little security.

It’s about more money in people’s pockets, which means more money in our economy, which means more jobs.   Those cuts are about making sure that everyone pays their fair share. And that’s why Barack proposed the Buffett Rule -- to close tax loopholes -- (applause) -- simply so that millionaires and billionaires aren’t paying lower tax rates than firefighters and teachers. Something simple. (Applause.) But that’s what’s at stake.

And how about everything my husband has been doing to create jobs in this economy? (Applause.)   Think back, as you saw in that video, to when all those folks in Washington were telling Barack to let the auto industry go under -- remember that -- with more than a million jobs on the line. Remember that?

But what did Barack do? He had the backs of American workers. He put his faith in the American people and as a result, today, the auto industry is back on its feet, and more importantly, people are back to work providing for their families again. (Applause.)

And how about when Barack first took office? This economy was losing an average of 750,000 jobs every single month. That’s what he inherited. That’s what he walked into after he took the oath. But for the past 25 straight months, we have actually been gaining private sector jobs –- a total of more than 4 million jobs in just two years. (Applause.) So while we certainly have a long way to go to rebuild our economy, today, millions of folks are collecting a paycheck again. But that’s what’s at stake. That’s the choice we face.

And how about all that has been done for our small businesses? These are the companies that create two-thirds -– two-thirds of all new jobs each year in this economy. Now, I’m talking about the mom who opens up the drycleaners to provide for her kids. Those are the people we’re talking about -- the family that’s been running that neighborhood diner for generations.

See, for these folks, the small business tax cuts this administration has passed, for these folks it means the difference between hiring new employees or handing out pink slips. It’s the difference between them keeping those doors open or closing up shop for good. That’s the choice we face.

And how about the very first bill my husband signed into law -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act –- (applause) -- to help women get equal pay for equal work. And it’s important to understand why he did this. He did this because Barack knows what it means when women aren’t treated fairly in the workplace. He watched his own grandmother, a woman with a high school education –- was able to work her way up to become a vice president at a little community bank. His grandmother worked hard, and she was good at her job. But like so many women she hit that glass ceiling and watched men no more qualified than she was –- men she had actually trained –- be promoted up that ladder ahead of her.

So believe me, for Barack, this is not an abstract issue. This isn’t hypothetical. He signed this bill because he knows that closing that gap, that can mean the difference between women losing $50, $100, $500 from each paycheck, or having that money in their pockets to buy gas and groceries and put clothes on the backs of their kids.   He did it because when so many women are now breadwinners for our families, women’s success in this economy is the key to family success in this economy. (Applause.) But that’s what’s at stake. That’s what’s at stake.

Let’s talk for a minute about health care. I mean, two years ago we made history together by finally passing health reform. (Applause.) And because we passed this law, insurance companies will now have to cover basic preventative care -- things like prenatal care, mammograms, contraception at no extra cost. (Applause.) And they can no longer deny our children coverage because they have a pre-existing condition -- things like diabetes or asthma. (Applause.)

And our children can now stay on their parents’ insurance until they’re 26 years old -- (applause) -- so that when they graduate from college, they won’t have to go without health care right when they’re trying to find a job, starting to build their lives. And today, that’s how 2.5 million young people in this country are getting their health coverage today. (Applause.) And since we passed this law, millions of our senior citizens have saved an average of more than $600 a year for their prescription drugs.

So we have to ask ourselves -- are we going to take those savings away? Are we going to allow insurance companies to refuse covering our children?

AUDIENE: No!

MRS. OBAMA: Or will we say that here in America, no one should ever have to choose between going bankrupt or watching their child suffer because they can’t afford a doctor. (Applause.) That is the choice we face.

And think for a moment about all that we’re doing to give our kids a good education. I mean, think about the investments we’ve made to raise standards and reform our public schools. I mean, think about how my husband has been fighting so hard for the DREAM Act -- (applause) -- so that responsible young immigrants who came here as children and were raised as Americans can earn a pathway to citizenship by going to college, serving in our military. How about that? (Applause.)

And think about how my husband has -- he took billions of dollars in taxpayer money that used to go to middleman banks and lenders and he sent that money where it belongs -- to help millions of our young people go to college. (Applause.) And we have to understand that these investments in our young people won’t just determine our children’s success. I mean, this kind of investment will determine nothing less than the success of our entire economy. It will determine whether we’re prepared to make the discoveries and to build the industries that will let us compete with any country anywhere in the world. But that’s what’s at stake.

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

And let us not forget all this administration has done to keep our country safe and restore our standing in the world. I mean, thanks to our brave men and women in uniform, we finally brought to justice the man behind the 9/11 attacks and so many other horrific acts of terror. (Applause.) My husband kept his promise and he ended the war in Iraq, brought our troops home, and we are working hard every single day to give them and their families the benefits that they’ve earned. (Applause.)

And finally, because my husband ended “don’t ask, don’t tell,” our troops will never again have to lie about who they are to serve the country they love. (Applause.)

But all of that is at stake this November -- all of it. So make no mistake about it -- whether it’s health care, the economy, education, foreign policy, the choice we make will determine nothing less than who we are as a country, but more importantly who do we want to be. I mean, that’s what we have to ask ourselves. Who are we?

Will we be a country where opportunity is limited to just a few at the top? Who are we? Or will we be a place where if you work hard, you can get ahead no matter who you are or how you started out? Who do we want to be? Will we tell folks who have done everything right but are struggling just a little bit, are we going to look them in the eye and say, tough luck, you’re on your own? Who are we?

Or will we honor that fundamental American belief that we are all in this together, and in this country we are strongest when we are all better off? (Applause.) Who do we want to be? (Applause.) Will we continue all the change we’ve begun, all the progress we’ve made? Or will we just allow everything we’ve fought for to just slip away? But those are the choices we face.

And we know what we need to do, right? We know that we cannot turn back now. We need to keep moving forward. That’s what we need to do. (Applause.)

And what I want you all to know is that your President knows this. He understands this because he has lived this. That’s why he understands these issues.

See, Barack was raised by a single mother who struggled to put herself through school and pay the bills. And when she needed help, who stepped up? His grandmother -- waking up before dawn to take that bus to her job at the bank. And even though she was passed over for all those promotions, she never complained. How many people in our lives do we know like that? They don’t complain. She just kept on showing up. Just kept doing her best.

So believe me, Barack knows what it means when a family struggles. He knows what it means when someone doesn’t have the chance to fulfill their potential. Because those are the experiences that have made him not just the man, but the President he is today. And we are blessed to have him. (Applause.)

And I’m just trying to tell everybody that they need to know who their President is. See, that is what I hear in his voice when he comes home from a long day traveling across the country and he tells me about the people he has met. That’s what I see in those quiet moments late at night after the girls have gone to bed, and he is poring over the letters he has received -- the letter from the woman dying of cancer whose insurance company won’t cover her care. The letter from the father still struggling to pay his family’s bills. The letters from far too many young people with so much promise but too little opportunity.

And I hear the passion and the determination in his voice. He says "you won’t believe what folks are going through." That’s what he says. He says, "Michelle, this ain’t right. We’ve got to fix this. We have so much more to do."

See, what you need to know about Barack is that when he meets people, he has got a memory like a steel trap. (Laughter.) He might not remember your name, but if he has a few moments and a decent conversation with you, he will never forget your story. It becomes imprinted on his heart.

And that is what he is carrying with him every single day. It is our collection of struggles and hopes and dreams. That is where Barack gets his passion. That is where he gets his toughness and his fight. And that is why, even in the hardest moments, when it seems like all is lost, Barack Obama never loses sight of the end goal -- never. He never lets himself get distracted by all the chatter and the noise. Just like his grandmother, he just keeps moving forward.

But I have said this before and I will say it again, and again, and again -- he cannot do it alone. That was never the promise. He needs your help. He needs your help. See, he needs you to make those calls, to register those voters. He needs you to take those “I’m In” cards -- you’ve seen those? Pick them up. Use them. Sign them up. Sign up your friends, your neighbors, your colleagues, go into your churches -- sign them up. Convince folks to join in just giving a little part of themselves, just a little bit of themselves each week to this campaign.

Because we all know that this was never about just one extraordinary man -- although, let me tell you I’m biased. I think our President is awesome. (Applause.) I think he has done a phenomenal job. But it is not about him. It has never been about Barack Obama. It has always been about us -- all of us -- all of us coming together for the values we know we believe in and the country we want to be. The country we want to be.

And I’m not going to kid you -- this journey, this is going to be long and it is going to be hard. (Laughter.) And there will be plenty of twists and turns along the way. But the truth is that’s how change always happens. That’s how it always happens. The reality is that change is slow and it never happens all at once.

But if we keep showing up, if we keep fighting the good fight, we always get there. We always do. We never have gone backwards. We’ve always moved ahead -- maybe not in our lifetimes, but maybe in our children’s lifetimes, maybe in our grandchildren’s lifetimes. In the end, that’s what this is about. We are not fighting these battles for ourselves. We are fighting these battles for our sons and our daughters; for our grandsons, for our granddaughters.

Like so many people who fought for us to be here, we are fighting for the world we want to leave for them. (Applause.) That is what’s at stake. That’s what we’re working towards.

So let me tell you something, Tucson. It is time for us to get moving, right? Oh, it is time for us to roll up our sleeves and get to work. So I have one last question, are you in?

AUDIENCE: Yes!

MRS. OBAMA: Oh, I got to hear this. Are you in? (Applause.) Come on! How in are you? Are you ready for this? (Applause.) Because I am so in, I am so fired up. I know so well what the stakes are, and I’m going to be out there as much as I can. But we need you every step of the way.

So I look forward to working with all of you in the months and years ahead. Let’s get this done, all right? God bless. (Applause.)

END
7:22 P.M. MST

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release

April 30, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at the Opening Ceremony of the Warrior Games

Olympic Training Center
Colorado Springs, Colorado

3:52 P.M. MDT

MRS. OBAMA: Thank you so much. Wow. (Applause.) Everyone, please, rest yourselves.

Let me start by thanking General Dempsey for that very kind introduction and for all that he and his family does for this country. It has been such an honor to work with the General, with his wife Deanie. And we are just grateful for your service. It has been a true pleasure for me to have them as partners.

I also want to join in in recognizing everyone from Deloitte, the Fisher House Foundation, the USO and the United States Olympic Committee for their support of the Warrior Games. And I want to join in in recognizing Senator Michael Bennet, Congressman Lamborn, Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia -- you all, thank you for your service and thank you for taking the time to join us here.

And I also have to give a warm welcome to all of the members of the British armed forces who are here to compete as well. We are thrilled that you could make the trip, but I want to warn you that nobody is going to go easy on you because of a little jet lag. (Laughter.) So that's no excuse, okay?

And, of course, I want to recognize all of our troops, veterans and military families who are here today. As you have seen, we have folks from the Army, the Navy, the Coast Guard, the Air Force and the Marine Corps. Just breathtaking is all I have to say. And I am humbled and inspired.

As First Lady, one of the best parts of my job is spending time with all of you. Because whenever I go to Walter Reed or visit one of our military bases or talk with military families at the White House or anywhere else for that matter, I get to hear the stories of your service and your sacrifice, and that is what has moved me so much.

I get to see your strength and your determination. I get to see that up close, firsthand, as you tell me that you're not just going to walk again but you're going to run, and you're going to run marathons. That's what I hear. No matter how seriously you're injured, no matter what obstacles or setbacks you face, you just keep moving forward. You just keep moving forward. You just keep pushing yourselves to succeed in ways that just mystify and leave us all in awe.

And that's why I am so excited to be here, so humbled to be here as we kick off the 2012 Warrior Games, because this week all of that is going to be on display for the entire world and that’s exciting.

The world will see athletes like Captain Jon Disbro, who is a proud member of the U.S. Marines. (Applause.) Captain Disbro was wounded in Iraq in 2004, and after 18 surgeries on his foot and ankle, his leg was amputated below the knee. And today, he is the reigning Warrior Games ultimate champion for his performances in swimming, shooting, sprinting, hiking, and the shot put. Whew, I’m just tired mentioning all that. (Laughter and applause.)

And then, there’s Navy Lieutenant Brad Snyder. (Applause.) In September, Lieutenant Snyder was blinded by an IED explosion in Afghanistan. This week, he is competing as a swimmer and a runner. Here is what he says about his service to our country, both past and future -- and these are his words. He says, “I’m not going to let blindness build a brick wall around me. I’d give my eyes 100 times again to have the chance to do what I have done and what I can still do.”

And then, there’s Army Staff Sergeant Krisell Creager-Lumpkins. (Applause.) During a training exercise in 2010, she suffered a traumatic brain injury that resulted in a brain aneurysm. But this week, she is proud to represent the Army in five events, because as she says -- “other wounded, ill, and injured soldiers, that your injuries don’t define you, they amplify you.”

Every competitor here has faced adversity that most of us can never imagine. But because of your hard work, because of your grit and your resilience, today those challenges amplify all of you. And this week, you all are serving as role models for people in America and truly around the world. You’re inspiring all of us to dig just a little bit deeper, to work just a little bit harder, to strive for something that seems maybe too far out of reach.

And that work doesn’t end here in Colorado. Once these games are over, you all have the power and the platform to keep on inspiring people all across this country, especially our young people -- really, especially our young people. You can inspire these kids to get active. You can inspire them to overcome obstacles. You can inspire them to achieve things they’ve never dreamed of. And that’s really going to be my message as I head to London this summer to lead the presidential delegation to the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games. It’s really going to be a focus on our kids.

I’m going to emphasize that competitions like the Olympics, the Paralympics and the Warrior Games aren’t just about who wins the gold or who sets a new record. They're about getting involved and working together. They're about competing fairly and triumphing over adversity, and they're also about how service and patriotism aren’t simply words or symbols; they're the choices you make and the way you live your lives.

And that message doesn't just come from our troops and our wounded warriors, it really comes from our military families, as well, who I have just come to love deeply. It comes from spouses who are running their households all alone during those long deployments. It comes from kids who are succeeding in school and stepping up at home, and putting on a brave face through all the challenges they face.

So I want all of you to know that your work, your commitment, your devotion to this country does not go unnoticed. It truly does not. We are all so grateful and proud of your service, and we all want to find some way to say thank you.

And that's why last year Jill Biden and I -- that we launched Joining Forces, a nationwide campaign to recognize, honor and support our men and women in uniform and their families.

And that work was started, of course, by my husband, your Commander-in-Chief. Over the past few years, he championed the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which has helped more than half a million veterans and military family members go to college. He signed a law that provides tax credit for businesses that hire veterans and wounded warriors. And he has worked to end the outrage of veterans’ homelessness. And on top of all that, through Joining Forces, businesses are -- they're hiring tens of thousands of veterans and military spouses. Doctors and nurses and medical students are learning new techniques to care for our troops and veterans. Schools and faith groups and community organizations are reaching out to military families and children all across this country.

So what I always want to tell all of you when I get the opportunity is that I want you to know that America does have your back. I have seen it. America wants to step up and honor you in the way that you have honored this country.

And this week, as you’re competing and pushing yourselves harder than ever before, I want you to remember that you have got a First Lady and a President who is cheering you on not just today, but truly every single day. And you have an entire country that loves you and respects you, and strives to live up to the example that all of you set. Truly, that is a fact.

So I want to wish you all the best of luck. More importantly have fun and don't get hurt. (Laughter.) Stay out of trouble, and God bless you all. And God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)

END
4:02 P.M. MDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

April 30, 2012

Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Noda of Japan at Joint Press Conference

East Room

2:16 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Please be seated. Good afternoon, everybody. It is a great pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Noda of Japan, one of America’s closest allies in the Asia Pacific region but also around the world. And, of course, one of the reasons that we enjoy such a strong alliance between our nations is because it’s rooted in the deep friendship between our peoples. I’ve felt it in my own life, during my visits to Japan, including as a young boy. And we’ve seen that friendship on display very profoundly over the past year.

Last month, we marked the first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami and nuclear crisis that followed. All across Japan, people stopped and stood in silence at 2:46 p.m. -- the moment that the earth shook. Mr. Prime Minister, on behalf of the American people, I want to say to you and the people of Japan -- we continue to stand with you as well.

We stand with Japan in honoring the lost and the missing -- 19,000 men, women and children who will never be forgotten. We stand with you as you rebuild -- what you, Mr. Prime Minister, have called “the rebirth of Japan.” And we stand with Japan -- in the Asia Pacific and beyond -- because even as it has focused on the hard work at home, Japan has never stopped leading in the world. It is a great tribute to the Japanese people and to leaders like Prime Minister Noda.

I’m told that over the past year many Japanese have found strength in what they call "kizuna" -- the bonds of solidarity between friends and neighbors; bonds which cannot be broken. Mr. Prime Minister, the same could be said of the bonds between the United States and Japan. And today we welcome you in that spirit.

As President, I’ve worked to strengthen the ties between our two nations since my first days in office. And when Prime Minister Noda and I first met last September we agreed to modernize our alliance to meet the needs of the 21st century. Mr. Prime Minister, I want to thank you for the personal commitment that you’ve brought to this effort. You’ve called the alliance with the United States Japan’s “greatest asset.” And in our work together we’ve seen your trademark determination and humility.

In fact, during our discussions today, the Prime Minister compared his leadership style to that of a point guard in basketball -- he may not be the flashiest player, but he stays focused and gets the job done. He’s brought that same sense of teamwork to our partnership, and it’s helped make this visit a milestone in the history of our alliance.

I’m proud to announce that we have agreed to a new joint vision to guide our alliance, and help shape the Asia Pacific for decades to come. This is part of the broader effort I discussed in Australia last year in which the United States is once again leading in the Asia Pacific.

First, we recognize that the U.S.-Japan alliance will remain the foundation of the security and prosperity of our two nations but also a cornerstone of regional peace and security. As such, we reviewed the agreement that our governments reached last week to realign American forces in Japan. This reflects our effort to modernize America’s defense posture in the Asia Pacific with forces that are more broadly distributed, more flexible and more sustainable. At the same time, it will reduce the impact on local communities, like Okinawa.

Second, our joint vision commits us to deepening our trade and investment. We’re already among each other’s top trading partners, and our exports to Japan and Japanese companies here in the U.S. support more than 1 million American jobs. But there’s more we can do, especially as we work to double U.S. exports. So I appreciate the Prime Minister updating me on his reform efforts in Japan, including liberalizing trade and playing a leading role in Asia Pacific’s economy. We instructed our teams to continue our consultation regarding Japan’s interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would benefit both our economies and the region. And we agreed to deepen our cooperation on nuclear safety, clean energy and cyber security to enhance our economic competitiveness.

Third, our joint vision lays out the future we seek in the Asia Pacific -- a region where international rules and norms are upheld, where nations contribute to regional security, where commerce and freedom of navigation is not impeded and where disputes are resolved peacefully. As such, we continue our close consultations on the provocative actions of North Korea, which are a sign of weakness and not strength, and only serve to deepen Pyongyang’s isolation. And we discussed the changes underway in Burma and how our two nations can both reward progress there while encouraging more reforms that improve the lives of the Burmese people.

Fourth, our joint vision reaffirms our role as global partners bound by shared values and committed to international peace, security and human rights. For example, our nations are the largest donors in Afghanistan. As we plan for the NATO Summit in Chicago and the next phase of the transition in Afghanistan, Japan is planning for a donor conference to sustain development there.

I also want to take this opportunity to commend the Prime Minister and Japan for showing such strong leadership with regard to Iran’s nuclear program. The regime in Tehran is now feeling the economic screws tighten, and one of the reasons is that countries like Japan made the decision to reduce oil imports from Iran. This is just one more example of how, despite challenging times at home, Japan has continued to serve as a model and a true global leader.

Finally, our joint vision commits us to deepening the ties between our peoples. This includes new collaborations between our scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs to foster innovation. And it includes new exchanges that will bring thousands of our young people together, including high school students, to help Japanese communities rebuild after last year’s disasters.

So, again, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for helping to revitalize our extraordinary alliance so that we enjoy even greater security and prosperity for both our countries. And I once again want to salute the people of Japan for the strength and the resilience and the courage that they’ve shown during this past year. More than ever, the American people are proud to call you a friend and honored to call you an ally.

And before I turn it over to the Prime Minister, I just want to warn the American press that the Prime Minister once considered himself a journalist, and instead he became a judo expert. He is a black belt. (Laughter.) So if you get out of line -- (laughter) -- I’ve got some protection here. (Laughter.)

Mr. Prime Minister.

PRIME MINISTER NODA: (As interpreted.) Well, following President Obama forward, I, the point guard, Noda, will take over the microphone.

Now, this is the first visit to the United States by a Japanese Prime Minister in the bilateral context since the change of government took place in Japan. I wish to thank President Obama for the warm welcome and hospitality, as I know how busy he is with official duties.

I had a very good exchange of views with the President today on bilateral relations between Japan and the United States, the situation in the Asia Pacific region and various global challenges, among others. We were able to confirm from broader perspectives the present-day significance of the Japan-U.S. alliance and where the Japan-U.S. relations should be headed in the longer term.

The President just now spoke about his support, and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all the unsparing support given by the government and people of the United States, starting with Operation Tomodachi conducted by U.S. forces at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake of last year.

Yesterday I met with the bereaved family of Taylor Anderson, who unfortunately passed away, but who took care of children until the very last moment following the Great East Japan Earthquake. I also met with representatives of the Fairfax County Search and Rescue Team who, immediately following the earthquake, deployed in the disaster-affected region to help the people. So I was able to meet myself with these true friends of Japan.

Now, I have always held the conviction that our bilateral alliance is the lynchpin of Japan’s diplomacy. And in the conversation that I had with U.S. friends yesterday, I felt anew that the U.S.-Japan alliance must be unshakeable, indeed, that it is unshakeable. Because of this belief, I am especially pleased that we’re able today to announce a joint vision statement.

In this document, Japan and the United States clearly show their determination to utilize their respective capabilities and resources to the maximum extent possible dividing up responsibilities and roles for the peace and prosperity not only of the Asia Pacific, but of the world.

This is our firm conviction. The United States and Japan are at both ends of the Asia Pacific region, the world’s growth center. This region also contains elements of instability such as North Korea, maritime conflicts and military buildups -- in other words, major opportunities and challenges exist side by side in the region.

To cope with such conditions we are determined, as spelled out in the shared vision, to realize the new U.S. forces realignment plan in accordance with the Security Consultative Committee, or 2-plus-2, joint statement released the other day and to step up bilateral security and defense cooperation in a creative manner.

We also need to work with regional partners to build a multi-layered network that is open, comprehensive and building on international rules utilizing such frameworks as trilateral dialogues among Japan-U.S.-ROK and Japan-U.S.-Australia, East Asia Summit and APEC. From this point of view, we shall also cooperate with China, which is an important partner.

It is also important that Japan and the United States cooperate to promote necessary rules-making in the areas of non-traditional threats such as terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and piracy, as well as human security and peace-building and development assistance -- ocean, space, and cyber space.

In the economic area, we shall deepen bilateral economic ties and fortify the growth and prosperity of the two countries through their promotion of economic integration in the Asia Pacific region. And to this end, both our countries will work on regional trade and investment rules-making, with a view to building AFTA or the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific. From this vantage point as well, we shall advance consultations with a view to participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.

The shared vision also calls for the strengthening of energy cooperation. And we discussed in our meeting today expanding LNG exports from the United States to Japan.

Last, but not the least, as stated in the shared vision it is important to boost exchanges among next generation youth in the interest of the future of the Japan-U.S. alliance. We will further step up people-to-people exchanges among youth through such endeavors as Japan’s Kizuna Project and U.S. Tomodachi Initiative.

The Japan-U.S. alliance has reached new heights. Together with President Obama, I shall firmly advance these steps. I thank you.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: So we’ve got two questions on each side. We’re going to start with Laura MacInnis of Reuters.

Q President Obama, could you confirm whether the blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng is under U.S. protection in Beijing? And how do you foresee that situation being resolved? Would the United States grant him asylum if he asked for it?

And Prime Minister Noda, how likely do you think it is that North Korea will carry out a third nuclear test? How would Japan respond to such a test? And what would you like the U.S. to do to respond?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Obviously, I’m aware of the press reports on the situation in China, but I’m not going to make a statement on the issue. What I would like to emphasize is that every time we meet with China, the issue of human rights comes up. It is our belief that not only is that the right thing to do because it comports with our principles and our belief in freedom and human rights, but also because we actually think China will be stronger as it opens up and liberalizes its own system.

We want China to be strong and we want it to be prosperous. And we’re very pleased with all the areas of cooperation that we’ve been able to engage in. But we also believe that that relationship will be that much stronger and China will be that much more prosperous and strong as you see improvements on human rights issues in that country.

I know it wasn’t directed at me, but I’ll just make a quick statement around North Korea. This was a topic of extensive discussion between myself and Prime Minister Noda. Our consultation throughout the failed missile launch was, I think, reflective of how important our alliance is not just to our two countries, but to the region as a whole. And what I’ve tried to do since I came into office is to make sure that North Koreans understand that the old pattern of provocation that then gets attention and somehow insists on the world purchasing good behavior from them, that that pattern is broken.

And what we’ve said is, is that the more you engage in provocative acts, the more isolated you will become, the stronger sanctions will be in place, the more isolated you will be diplomatically, politically and commercially. And so although we can’t anticipate -- and I don’t want to hypothesize on what might happen in the coming months -- I think Pyongyang is very clear that the United States, Japan, South Korea, other countries in the region are unified in insisting that it abide by its responsibilities, abide by international norms, and that they will not be able to purchase anything from further provocative acts.

PRIME MINISTER NODA: (As interpreted.) With regard to North Korea, between myself and President Obama earlier we -- with regard to the so-called launch of satellite -- the missile launch -- we share the view that it undermines the efforts of the various countries concerned to achieve resolution through dialogue.

Now, in the latest round of missile launch, they also conducted a nuclear test, which means that there is a great possibility they will conduct a nuclear test. And I believe the international community as a whole, together, will need to call for restraint on the part of DPRK, and more specifically I believe the measures incorporated in the recent U.N. Security Council chairman’s statement need to be complied with. And among Japan, the U.S. and Korea, as well as China and Russia, we need to communicate with each other fully and also stress that China’s role continues to be very important, and cooperate with China while also maintaining close coordination with the United States. And we shared this view with President Obama.

And let me ask Mr. Imaichi of TBS, from Japan, to ask a question.

Q (As interpreted.) Imaichi, of TBS Television, and I have a question for both President Obama and Prime Minister Noda. How do you regard the Futenma relocation issue in the context of this joint statement, although you did not refer specifically to Futenma relocation? And the interim report on U.S. Forces Japan realignment leaves this question open to some extent. And what do you think of the possibility that Futenma Air Station ultimately will be relocated to a place other than Henoko as agreed between Japan and the United States?

PRIME MINISTER NODA: (As interpreted.) Now, it is most meaningful that in the 2-plus-2 joint statement, as well as the summit meeting today, that we were able to confirm that our two countries will cooperate in the context of a deepening bilateral alliance towards the realization of the optimum U.S. force posture in the region and the reduction of burden on Okinawa, and we’ll continue to work for an early resolution of this issue by taking into account the development of the (inaudible) date.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: The realignment approach that's being taken is consistent with the security interests of both Japan and the United States. We think we’ve found an effective mechanism to move this process forward in a way that is respectful of the situation in Okinawa, the views of residents there, but also is able to optimize the defense cooperation between our two countries and the alliance that's the lynchpin not just of our own security but also security in the region as a whole.

So we’re confident that we can move forward with an approach that realigns our base posture or our deployments, but also is continuing to serve the broad-based interests of our alliance as a whole.

And I want to thank publicly Prime Minister Noda for having taken such a constructive approach to an issue that has been lingering in our bilateral relationship for quite some time.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Christi Parsons.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. We’re coming up on the one-year anniversary of the killing of bin Laden. I wonder if you would share some thoughts on that anniversary. And I also wanted to mention that your likely opponent says, “Anybody would have made that call, even Jimmy Carter.” So I’m curious to see what you would say about that.

And, Mr. Prime Minister, if I may, on the same topic, you mentioned the international fight against terrorism in your opening remarks, and I wonder if you could reflect on President Obama’s record here and if you think from an international perspective the U.S. is playing it right in marking this anniversary? Or if you think it -- you might advise against excessive celebration?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, let me make a couple of points. First of all, Christi, I hardly think that you’ve seen any excessive celebration taking place here. I think that people -- the American people rightly remember what we as a country accomplished in bringing to justice somebody who killed over 3,000 of our citizens. And it’s a mark of the excellence of our intelligence teams and our military teams; a political process that worked. And I think for us to use that time for some reflection to give thanks to those who participated is entirely appropriate, and that's what’s been taking place.

As far as my personal role and what other folks would do, I’d just recommend that everybody take a look at people’s previous statements in terms of whether they thought it was appropriate to go into Pakistan and take out bin Laden. I assume that people meant what they said when they said it. That's been at least my practice. I said that I’d go after bin Laden if we had a clear shot at him, and I did.

If there are others who have said one thing and now suggest they’d do something else, then I’d go ahead and let them explain it.

PRIME MINISTER NODA: (As interpreted.) President Obama has been standing at the very forefront in the fight against terrorism, and I hold him in very high regard for that.

Now, although bin Laden has been killed, terrorism has not been rooted out, and I think continued efforts will be needed in cooperation with the United States. We also would like to continue all our efforts against terrorism. I think the forms of terrorism are being very diverse -- amongst them, cyber terrorism, for example. This (inaudible) between Japan and the United States not just in the cyber -- in the space and ocean, but we also decided to cooperate in cyber security as well. So inclusive of all these, Japan and the United States shall work together to root out terrorism of all sorts.

Let me call on Takatsuka-san of Mainichi Shimbun.

Q I’m Takatsuka with Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, and I would like to ask a question for Prime Minister Noda and President Obama.

There’s no direct reference to China in this joint statement. What sort of exchange of views did you have on China in the context of working for stability in the Asia Pacific connected with their advances in the oceans and also their military buildup? I wonder what sort of interlocution you had on the subject.

PRIME MINISTER NODA: (As interpreted.) Let me answer first. As you correctly pointed out, the shared vision does not refer to any specific country, but we recognize China as a major partner in the region. And in our exchange of views, both of us, in fact, confirmed that viewpoint. China’s development is an opportunity for the international community and for Japan and for the Asia Pacific.

Now, I explained in the meeting to President Obama that when I visited China last December, I broached to the Chinese leaders my six-point initiative, including confidence-building and cooperation in the East China Sea in order to further advance our mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests, and that I’ll work steadily to implement this.

I also told to the President that I wish to realize his strategic dialogue among Japan, U.S. and China. Now, EAS last year, we -- where the view that was a success -- and of course ASEAN countries also participated in discussions that we need to seek a rules-based response for behavior from the Chinese. And we had these exchange of views.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: I think that I’ve said in the past and firmly believe that we welcome a peacefully-rising China. And we have developed a very important strategic and economic dialogue with China. We think what they’ve accomplished in terms of lifting millions of people out of poverty is good for its own sake and it’s also potentially good for the world and for the region.

As Prime Minister Noda and I noted, we do believe that as China continues to grow, as its influence continues to expand, that it has to be a strong partner in abiding by international rules and norms -- whether those are economic norms like respecting intellectual property; whether these are norms of dispute resolution.

So in maritime disputes, ensuring that small countries and large countries are both respected in international fora in resolving these issues; that across the board, we want China to be a partner with us in a set of international rules and norms that everybody follows. And I think as China makes that transition from a developing country into a major power, that it will see that over the long term it is in its interest as well to abide by these rules and norms.

And so all of our actions are not designed to in any way contain China, but they are designed to ensure that they are part of a broader international community in which rules, norms are respected, in which all countries can prosper and succeed.

Thank you very much, everybody.

END
2:45 P.M. EDT