Remarks by the President at AIPAC Policy Conference

Washington Convention Center

Washington, D.C.

11:10 A.M. EST

     THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Well, good morning, everyone. 

Rosy, thank you for your kind words.  I have never seen Rosy on the basketball court.  I'll bet it would be a treat.  (Laughter.)  Rosy, you've been a dear friend of mine for a long time and a tireless advocate for the unbreakable bonds between Israel and the United States.  And as you complete your term as President, I salute your leadership and your commitment.  (Applause.)

I want to thank the board of directors.  As always, I’m glad to see my long-time friends in the Chicago delegation.  (Applause.)  I also want to thank the members of Congress who are with us here today, and who will be speaking to you over the next few days.  You've worked hard to maintain the partnership between the United States and Israel.  And I especially want to thank my close friend, and leader of the Democratic National Committee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz.  (Applause.) 

I’m glad that my outstanding young Ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, is in the house.  (Applause.)  I understand that Dan is perfecting his Hebrew on his new assignment, and I appreciate his constant outreach to the Israeli people.  And I’m also pleased that we’re joined by so many Israeli officials, including Ambassador Michael Oren.  (Applause.)  And tomorrow, I’m very much looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Netanyahu and his delegation back to the White House.  (Applause.) 

Every time I come to AIPAC, I’m especially impressed to see so many young people here.  (Applause.)  You don't yet get the front seats -- I understand.  (Laughter.)  You have to earn that. But students from all over the country who are making their voices heard and engaging deeply in our democratic debate.  You carry with you an extraordinary legacy of more than six decades of friendship between the United States and Israel.  And you have the opportunity -- and the responsibility -- to make your own mark on the world.  And for inspiration, you can look to the man who preceded me on this stage, who's being honored at this conference -- my friend, President Shimon Peres.  (Applause.) 

Shimon was born a world away from here, in a shtetlin what was then Poland, a few years after the end of the first world war.  But his heart was always in Israel, the historic homeland of the Jewish people.  (Applause.)  And when he was just a boy he made his journey across land and sea -- toward home.

In his life, he has fought for Israel’s independence, and he has fought for peace and security.  As a member of the Haganah and a member of the Knesset, as a Minister of Defense and Foreign Affairs, as a Prime Minister and as President -- Shimon helped build the nation that thrives today:  the Jewish state of Israel. (Applause.)  But beyond these extraordinary achievements, he has also been a powerful moral voice that reminds us that right makes might -- not the other way around.  (Applause.) 

Shimon once described the story of the Jewish people by saying it proved that, “slings, arrows and gas chambers can annihilate man, but cannot destroy human values, dignity, and freedom.”  And he has lived those values.  (Applause.)  He has taught us to ask more of ourselves, and to empathize more with our fellow human beings.  I am grateful for his life’s work and his moral example.  And I'm proud to announce that later this spring, I will invite Shimon Peres to the White House to present him with America’s highest civilian honor -- the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  (Applause.) 

In many ways, this award is a symbol of the broader ties that bind our nations.  The United States and Israel share interests, but we also share those human values that Shimon spoke about:  A commitment to human dignity.  A belief that freedom is a right that is given to all of God’s children.  An experience that shows us that democracy is the one and only form of government that can truly respond to the aspirations of citizens.

America’s Founding Fathers understood this truth, just as Israel’s founding generation did.  President Truman put it well, describing his decision to formally recognize Israel only minutes after it declared independence.  He said, "I had faith in Israel before it was established.  I believe it has a glorious future before it -- as not just another sovereign nation, but as an embodiment of the great ideals of our civilization."

For over six decades, the American people have kept that faith.  Yes, we are bound to Israel because of the interests that we share -- in security for our communities, prosperity for our people, the new frontiers of science that can light the world. But ultimately it is our common ideals that provide the true foundation for our relationship.  That is why America’s commitment to Israel has endured under Democratic and Republican Presidents, and congressional leaders of both parties.  (Applause.)  In the United States, our support for Israel is bipartisan, and that is how it should stay.  (Applause.) 

AIPAC’s work continually nurtures this bond.  And because of AIPAC’s effectiveness in carrying out its mission, you can expect that over the next several days, you will hear many fine words from elected officials describing their commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship.  But as you examine my commitment, you don’t just have to count on my words.  You can look at my deeds.  Because over the last three years, as President of the United States, I have kept my commitments to the state of Israel.  At every crucial juncture -- at every fork in the road -- we have been there for Israel.  Every single time.  (Applause.) 

Four years ago, I stood before you and said that, "Israel’s security is sacrosanct.  It is non-negotiable."  That belief has guided my actions as President.  The fact is, my administration’s commitment to Israel’s security has been unprecedented.  Our military and intelligence cooperation has never been closer.  (Applause.)  Our joint exercises and training have never been more robust.  Despite a tough budget environment, our security assistance has increased every single year.  (Applause.)  We are investing in new capabilities.  We’re providing Israel with more advanced technology -- the types of products and systems that only go to our closest friends and allies.  And make no mistake: We will do what it takes to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge -- because Israel must always have the ability to defend itself, by itself, against any threat.  (Applause.) 

This isn’t just about numbers on a balance sheet.  As a senator, I spoke to Israeli troops on the Lebanese border.  I visited with families who’ve known the terror of rocket fire in Sderot.  And that’s why, as President, I have provided critical funding to deploy the Iron Dome system that has intercepted rockets that might have hit homes and hospitals and schools in that town and in others.  (Applause.)  Now our assistance is expanding Israel’s defensive capabilities, so that more Israelis can live free from the fear of rockets and ballistic missiles.  Because no family, no citizen, should live in fear.

And just as we’ve been there with our security assistance, we've been there through our diplomacy.  When the Goldstone report unfairly singled out Israel for criticism, we challenged it.  (Applause.)  When Israel was isolated in the aftermath of the flotilla incident, we supported them.  (Applause.)  When the Durban conference was commemorated, we boycotted it, and we will always reject the notion that Zionism is racism.  (Applause.)  

When one-sided resolutions are brought up at the Human Rights Council, we oppose them.  When Israeli diplomats feared for their lives in Cairo, we intervened to save them.  (Applause.)  When there are efforts to boycott or divest from Israel, we will stand against them.  (Applause.)  And whenever an effort is made to de-legitimize the state of Israel, my administration has opposed them.  (Applause.)  So there should not be a shred of doubt by now -- when the chips are down, I have Israel’s back.  (Applause.) 

Which is why, if during this political season -- (laughter) -- you hear some questions regarding my administration’s support for Israel, remember that it’s not backed up by the facts.  And remember that the U.S.-Israel relationship is simply too important to be distorted by partisan politics.  America’s national security is too important.  Israel’s security is too important.  (Applause.) 

Of course, there are those who question not my security and diplomatic commitments, but rather my administration’s ongoing pursuit of peace between Israelis and Palestinians.  So let me say this:  I make no apologies for pursuing peace.  Israel’s own leaders understand the necessity of peace.  Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Barak, President Peres -- each of them have called for two states, a secure Israel that lives side by side with an independent Palestinian state.  I believe that peace is profoundly in Israel’s security interest.  (Applause.)

The reality that Israel faces -- from shifting demographics, to emerging technologies, to an extremely difficult international environment -- demands a resolution of this issue.  And I believe that peace with the Palestinians is consistent with Israel’s founding values -- because of our shared belief in self-determination, and because Israel’s place as a Jewish and democratic state must be protected.  (Applause.) 

Of course, peace is hard to achieve.  There’s a reason why it's remained elusive for six decades.  The upheaval and uncertainty in Israel’s neighborhood makes it that much harder -- from the horrific violence raging in Syria, to the transition in Egypt.  And the division within the Palestinian leadership makes it harder still -- most notably, with Hamas’s continued rejection of Israel’s very right to exist.

But as hard as it may be, we should not, and cannot, give in to cynicism or despair.  The changes taking place in the region make peace more important, not less.  And I've made it clear that there will be no lasting peace unless Israel’s security concerns are met.  (Applause.)  That's why we continue to press Arab leaders to reach out to Israel, and will continue to support the peace treaty with Egypt.  That’s why -- just as we encourage Israel to be resolute in the pursuit of peace -- we have continued to insist that any Palestinian partner must recognize Israel’s right to exist, and reject violence, and adhere to existing agreements.  (Applause.)  And that is why my administration has consistently rejected any efforts to short-cut negotiations or impose an agreement on the parties.  (Applause.)

As Rosy noted, last year, I stood before you and pledged that, "the United States will stand up against efforts to single Israel out at the United Nations."  As you know, that pledge has been kept.  (Applause.)  Last September, I stood before the United Nations General Assembly and reaffirmed that any lasting peace must acknowledge the fundamental legitimacy of Israel and its security concerns.  I said that America’s commitment to Israel’s security is unshakeable, our friendship with Israel is enduring, and that Israel must be recognized.  No American President has made such a clear statement about our support for Israel at the United Nations at such a difficult time.  People usually give those speeches before audiences like this one -- not before the General Assembly.  (Applause.)

And I must say, there was not a lot of applause.  (Laughter.)  But it was the right thing to do.  (Applause.)  And as a result, today there is no doubt -- anywhere in the world -- that the United States will insist upon Israel’s security and legitimacy.  (Applause.)  That will be true as we continue our efforts to pursue -- in the pursuit of peace.  And that will be true when it comes to the issue that is such a focus for all of us today:  Iran’s nuclear program -- a threat that has the potential to bring together the worst rhetoric about Israel’s destruction with the world’s most dangerous weapons.

Let’s begin with a basic truth that you all understand:  No Israeli government can tolerate a nuclear weapon in the hands of a regime that denies the Holocaust, threatens to wipe Israel off the map, and sponsors terrorist groups committed to Israel’s destruction.  (Applause.)  And so I understand the profound historical obligation that weighs on the shoulders of Bibi Netanyahu and Ehud Barak, and all of Israel’s leaders.

A nuclear-armed Iran is completely counter to Israel’s security interests.  But it is also counter to the national security interests of the United States.  (Applause.) 

Indeed, the entire world has an interest in preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.  A nuclear-armed Iran would thoroughly undermine the non-proliferation regime that we've done so much to build.  There are risks that an Iranian nuclear weapon could fall into the hands of a terrorist organization.  It is almost certain that others in the region would feel compelled to get their own nuclear weapon, triggering an arms race in one of the world's most volatile regions.  It would embolden a regime that has brutalized its own people, and it would embolden Iran’s proxies, who have carried out terrorist attacks from the Levant to southwest Asia.

And that is why, four years ago, I made a commitment to the American people, and said that we would use all elements of American power to pressure Iran and prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon.  And that is what we have done.  (Applause.) 

When I took office, the efforts to apply pressure on Iran were in tatters.  Iran had gone from zero centrifuges spinning to thousands, without facing broad pushback from the world.  In the region, Iran was ascendant -- increasingly popular, and extending its reach.  In other words, the Iranian leadership was united and on the move, and the international community was divided about how to go forward.

And so from my very first months in office, we put forward a very clear choice to the Iranian regime:  a path that would allow them to rejoin the community of nations if they meet their international obligations, or a path that leads to an escalating series of consequences if they don't.  In fact, our policy of engagement -- quickly rebuffed by the Iranian regime -- allowed us to rally the international community as never before, to expose Iran’s intransigence, and to apply pressure that goes far beyond anything that the United States could do on our own.

Because of our efforts, Iran is under greater pressure than ever before.  Some of you will recall, people predicted that Russia and China wouldn’t join us to move toward pressure.  They did.  And in 2010 the U.N. Security Council overwhelmingly supported a comprehensive sanctions effort.  Few thought that sanctions could have an immediate bite on the Iranian regime.  They have, slowing the Iranian nuclear program and virtually grinding the Iranian economy to a halt in 2011.  Many questioned whether we could hold our coalition together as we moved against Iran’s Central Bank and oil exports.  But our friends in Europe and Asia and elsewhere are joining us.  And in 2012, the Iranian government faces the prospect of even more crippling sanctions.

That is where we are today -- because of our work.  Iran is isolated, its leadership divided and under pressure.  And by the way, the Arab Spring has only increased these trends, as the hypocrisy of the Iranian regime is exposed, and its ally -- the Assad regime -- is crumbling.

Of course, so long as Iran fails to meet its obligations, this problem remains unresolved.  The effective implementation of our policy is not enough -- we must accomplish our objective.  (Applause.)  And in that effort, I firmly believe that an opportunity still remains for diplomacy -- backed by pressure -- to succeed.

The United States and Israel both assess that Iran does not yet have a nuclear weapon, and we are exceedingly vigilant in monitoring their program.  Now, the international community has a responsibility to use the time and space that exists.  Sanctions are continuing to increase, and this July -- thanks to our diplomatic coordination -- a European ban on Iranian oil imports will take hold.  (Applause.)  Faced with these increasingly dire consequences, Iran’s leaders still have the opportunity to make the right decision.  They can choose a path that brings them back into the community of nations, or they can continue down a dead end.

And given their history, there are, of course, no guarantees that the Iranian regime will make the right choice.  But both Israel and the United States have an interest in seeing this challenge resolved diplomatically.  After all, the only way to truly solve this problem is for the Iranian government to make a decision to forsake nuclear weapons.  That’s what history tells us.

Moreover, as President and Commander-in-Chief, I have a deeply held preference for peace over war.  (Applause.)  I have sent men and women into harm’s way.  I've seen the consequences of those decisions in the eyes of those I meet who've come back gravely wounded, and the absence of those who don’t make it home. Long after I leave this office, I will remember those moments as the most searing of my presidency.  And for this reason, as part of my solemn obligation to the American people, I will only use force when the time and circumstances demand it.  And I know that Israeli leaders also know all too well the costs and consequences of war, even as they recognize their obligation to defend their country.

We all prefer to resolve this issue diplomatically.  Having said that, Iran’s leaders should have no doubt about the resolve of the United States -- (applause) -- just as they should not doubt Israel’s sovereign right to make its own decisions about what is required to meet its security needs.  (Applause.) 

I have said that when it comes to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, I will take no options off the table, and I mean what I say.  (Applause.)  That includes all elements of American power:  A political effort aimed at isolating Iran; a diplomatic effort to sustain our coalition and ensure that the Iranian program is monitored; an economic effort that imposes crippling sanctions; and, yes, a military effort to be prepared for any contingency.  (Applause.) 

Iran’s leaders should understand that I do not have a policy of containment; I have a policy to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.  (Applause.)  And as I have made clear time and again during the course of my presidency, I will not hesitate to use force when it is necessary to defend the United States and its interests.  (Applause.) 

Moving forward, I would ask that we all remember the weightiness of these issues; the stakes involved for Israel, for America, and for the world.  Already, there is too much loose talk of war.  Over the last few weeks, such talk has only benefited the Iranian government, by driving up the price of oil, which they depend on to fund their nuclear program.  For the sake of Israel’s security, America’s security, and the peace and security of the world, now is not the time for bluster.  Now is the time to let our increased pressure sink in, and to sustain the broad international coalition we have built.  Now is the time to heed the timeless advice from Teddy Roosevelt:  Speak softly; carry a big stick.  (Applause.)  And as we do, rest assured that the Iranian government will know our resolve, and that our coordination with Israel will continue. 

These are challenging times.  But we've been through challenging times before, and the United States and Israel have come through them together.  Because of our cooperation, citizens in both our countries have benefited from the bonds that bring us together.  I'm proud to be one of those people.  In the past, I've shared in this forum just why those bonds are so personal for me:  the stories of a great uncle who helped liberate Buchenwald, to my memories of returning there with Elie Wiesel; from sharing books with President Peres to sharing seders with my young staff in a tradition that started on the campaign trail and continues in the White House; from the countless friends I know in this room to the concept of tikkun olam that has enriched and guided my life.  (Applause.)  

As Harry Truman understood, Israel’s story is one of hope. We may not agree on every single issue -- no two nations do, and our democracies contain a vibrant diversity of views.  But we agree on the big things -- the things that matter.  And together, we are working to build a better world -- one where our people can live free from fear; one where peace is founded upon justice; one where our children can know a future that is more hopeful than the present.

There is no shortage of speeches on the friendship between the United States and Israel.  But I'm also mindful of the proverb, "A man is judged by his deeds, not his words."  So if you want to know where my heart lies, look no further than what I have done -- to stand up for Israel; to secure both of our countries; and to see that the rough waters of our time lead to a peaceful and prosperous shore.  (Applause.) 

Thank you very much, everybody.  God bless you.  God bless the people of Israel.  God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

                       END                 11:42 A.M. EST

Remarks by the First Lady at a Democratic National Convention Committee Event

Ballantyne Hotel
Charlotte, North Carolina

6:43 P.M. EST

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, my goodness.  You all are amazing!  (Applause.)  Rest yourselves.  Rest yourselves.  The music is playing.  It's a party.  You all been having a good time?

AUDIENCE:  Yes!

MRS. OBAMA:  Good.  (Laughter.)  Well, there's more to come.  There is more to come.  The Mayor was the warm-up act for me.  I'm the warm-up act for James Taylor.  (Applause.)  So we are very excited. 

Let me just begin by thanking you so much.  It is a pleasure and an honor and a joy for me to be with you here in the Queen City.  Yes, indeed.  Very excited to be here.  (Applause.)

I want to start by thanking your amazing mayor, Mayor Foxx, for that very kind introduction.  (Applause.)  But more importantly, for taking the time to be here with me.  He spent a little while with me, and that's a good thing.  He's busy doing a great job.  I got a chance to meet his mom and his grandma; they are gorgeous women, and it's just terrific that he shared that story.  It's just such a -- it's a insightful tale about the importance of this city and this state.  So I am grateful to him.

I want to thank a few people -- not sure who else is still here, but I want to make sure that I recognize Governor Perdue, who's been with me this entire day.  She's been terrific.  (Applause.)  As well as Senator Kay Hagan -- we got to run around with some kids -- (applause) -- this afternoon at the CIAA.  We were playing some -- we weren't playing basketball, we were encouraging basketball.  (Laughter.) 

And also Congressmen G.K. Butterfield -- I don't know if he's still here, but he's been hanging out.  There he is.  He's been handing out with me.  (Applause.)  Thank you for your leadership and for hanging out with me as well.

And of course, again, I want to give a special shoutout to the legendary James Taylor as well as his wife, Kim, who will be performing here just a little bit later.  (Applause.)  They have been fabulous to us and for us throughout this journey, both James and Kim.  And it will be just a tremendous night, and I'm a little bit jealous.  (Laughter.)  Because I got to get home after this.  (Laughter.)  So you guys enjoy for me.

And finally, I want to thank all of you -- truly, I want to thank you.  Thank you for being here tonight.  Thank you for your commitment to this city and this state.  And most of all, thank you for supporting the convention that we’ll be holding here in September.  It's going to be good!  It's going to be so good!  (Applause.)

Now, I don’t know about you, but I cannot believe that 2012 is here already.  (Laughter.)  I mean, the convention is six months away.  So it is coming.  It seems like just yesterday when Barack and I were beginning this journey.  It seems like just yesterday.

And I have to be honest with you, when Barack first started talking about running for President, I was a little hesitant about the idea.  (Laughter.)  The girls were very young at the time, and I know they are growing before your very eyes but they were little babies.  You remember at the inauguration?  They were so cute.  (Laughter.)  Malia is here now, looking me in the eye; it's very scary. 

But they were very young, and I was worried about the toll that this process would take on our family.  And a lot of folks -- like a lot of folks, I had a little cynicism about politics.  So to say that it took some convincing on Barack’s part would be an understatement.  (Laughter.)  It took a lot of convincing.  And even as I began to travel around the country, I was still a little uneasy about the whole “President thing” -- that's what Malia would call it when she was little.  She was like, "Is Dad still doing that President thing?"  (Laughter.)  It was like, "Yep, he's still doing that President thing."  (Laughter.)

But something happened during those first few months out there on the campaign that changed me.  I realized from the beginning that this whole process wasn’t just about handshakes and photo ops and stump speeches.  I realized that it was more about those one-on-one kind of conversations that you get to have with people when you're out there going from state to state, when you're going into people's communities and into their homes.  And people welcome you in just some incredible ways.  People who don't even know you before Barack Obama -- people were letting us come in their house and talk to them.  And that was beautiful.  Those conversations in living rooms and on back porches, where you could really get to know people.  And I would always say that every American should have the opportunity to do that, to just spend some time traveling around talking to folks.

And as I traveled the country, I would get to hear people's stories.  I would get to hear about their hopes and their dreams -- and their worries.  Folks would tell me about the businesses they were trying to keep afloat; they would talk to me about the home they loved but could no longer afford; about their child who was so smart, who could be anything she wanted, if they could only come up with the tuition.

And truly, these stories moved me in ways that were very unexpected.  And more than anything else, the stories were familiar to me.  And that's what we have to understand -- our stories are ones we all share.  They were familiar to me.  They reminded me of my own family’s stories.  They reminded me of Barack’s family’s stories.

And the folks that I met weren’t just content to talk about the challenges that they were facing.  They wanted to act.  They wanted to do their part.  They wanted to get involved in our democratic process.  Many of them were doing it for the very first time ever.  And that was so positive to see.  Many were doing it for the first time in years.

And that’s why, truly, I’m so proud to be here today.  Because that spirit of engagement, that belief that everyone has a role to play -- that is truly what is driving this convention.  For instance, I know that the convention team has been reaching out to people online, they've been asking folks to share their ideas about how we can make this process the most open and the most accessible convention yet.  I know that there are plans to engage as many as 10,000 volunteers, many of whom will come from the Charlotte community, right here.  And like Mayor Foxx said, the funding for all of these efforts is going to come only through the support of people like all of you.  So there’s a lot happening to make sure that everyone feels welcomed and included in Charlotte this September.

And luckily all of you here in Charlotte have shown again and again that you know how to get people engaged.  I know that you’re already making long-term plans to use this convention as a way to build a stronger city, and that’s a good thing.  You’re connecting those plans and centering them on sustainability, on economic inclusion, and you're centering them on two issues very near and dear to me -- that's youth engagement as well as healthy families.  You’re leading civic efforts to strengthen your schools and provide affordable housing.  You are a national leader in charitable giving and workplace donations. 

And of course, you all know a thing or two about welcoming folks into this city and this state.  You know a little bit about that, and my family and I have experienced that firsthand.  It is no accident that we are here in North Carolina.  (Applause.)  Your President loves this state, and so do I.  Absolutely.  (Applause.)  Over the past five years, we have spent a lot of time here -- from the Atlantic coast to the research triangle to the smoky mountains, we've been a little bit of everywhere, and it's been a lot of fun.  In fact, we chose to spend a family vacation here in Asheville a couple years ago.  Yes, beautiful area.  (Applause.)  Asheville, yes!  (Applause.)  Barack is still talking about those two little days.  (Laughter.)  He is so happy to be here.  (Laughter.)

And I have to tell you that every time we visit, from the minute we set foot in this state, you all make us feel right at home.  And we're the First Family and all, but this isn't just us.  You do this everywhere.  But you've particularly done it to us.  You all truly embody the idea of southern hospitality.  You have opened your homes to us.  More importantly, you have been so kind to my girls, and as a mom that -- you're nice to my girls, I'll do anything for you, right?  (Laughter.)  We all understand that, right?  (Applause.)  And everywhere we’ve gone, we have met so many bighearted people who are eager to help others and give back to their communities -- and more importantly, to their country.  And that’s one of the many things that makes this city and this state -- and this country -- so great.

And that was never more clear to me than back in March of 2009, when I took my very first trip outside of Washington, D.C., as First Lady.  I came here.  I chose to come here, to North Carolina, to visit with military families at Fort Bragg, right?  Yes, indeed.  (Applause.)  And it was a wonderful day, as is any time that anyone can spend with our military and their families.  I met with troops, and military spouses, and some of the cutest, most adorable, well-mannered kids you’ll ever want to meet.

And I have to tell you, I say this everywhere I go, this is one of the reasons why military families support is one of my big initiatives -- these individuals are incredible.  They're incredible men and women.  They are military spouses who run their households.  They raise their kids.  They juggle full-time jobs all through long and multiple deployments.  They are our wounded warriors who have undergone surgery after surgery, enduring pain that most of us couldn’t even imagine.  Yet they tell me that they’re not just going to walk again, but they’re going to run, and they’re going to run marathons.  It's that spirit that we all want a little piece of.  (Applause.)  They are brave men and women from every background and every walk of life, who have signed up to serve this country in a time of war.

They and their families are making all kinds of sacrifices every day, without complaint, and without ever asking for anything much in return.  And they are the very best this country has to offer.  And every day, they make us so proud.  (Applause.)  Every day, these men and women in North Carolina and other states, but particularly here, they are doing their part -- they are fighting for everything we hold dear, everything that makes us who we are as Americans.

And in the end, that’s really what this convention is all about.  It’s honoring that kind of spirit of America that we see in our military families, but we see it in communities all across this state and all across this country.  This convention gives us all a chance to connect with each other around our shared values.  It's a chance to give even more people an opportunity to become involved in our democracy.  And it’s a chance to write another chapter in the beautiful story that is America -– the story of folks who come together, year after year, each of us doing our part to perfect this union.

So it's going to be fun.  We are looking forward to it.  It’s going to be exciting.  You will be sick of us after a while.  (Laughter.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  No!

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, wait until the traffic starts.  (Laughter.)  Wait until you got the President's motorcade, First Lady's motorcade, First Children's motorcade -- (laughter.)  You've got grandma here, the Vice President -- you'll be like, "Is it over yet?" 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  No, we like it.  (Laughter.)

MRS. OBAMA:  But it is going to be fun.  And we are thrilled -- thrilled beyond belief to be here in North Carolina.

So I want to once again thank all of you for making this possible.  Thank you so much.  Thank you for your support of Charlotte in 2012.  Thank you for welcoming us to this great American city.  We are so excited to be coming here, and we can't wait until September.  We will see you then.  (Applause.)

Thank you all so much.  (Applause.)

END
6:57 P.M. EST

Remarks by the President at Conservation Conference

Department of Interior
Washington, D.C.

5:32 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, everybody.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  Everybody, have a seat.  Have a seat.  (Applause.)  Well, it is good to have all of you in here. Welcome to Washington. 

I want to thank Ken Salazar for the introduction.  Did everybody know that it's his birthday today?  (Laughter.)  All right -- has he milked that enough?  (Laughter.)  I just want to make sure everybody wished him a happy birthday.  Turning 40 is tough.  (Laughter.) 

We’ve also got our outstanding Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, in the house.  (Applause.)  Our wonderful EPA Administrator, Lisa Jackson, is with us.  (Applause.)  And I want to thank all of you for being a part of this conference.

Now, I have to say that this is a pretty diverse group here today.  We’ve got hunters and fishermen; we've got farmers and ranchers; we've got conservationists; we've got small business owners; we've got local government leaders; we've got tribal leaders.  And some of you may have just wandered in -- I don't know.  (Laughter.)  But you’re all here for the same reason.  Each of you has a deep appreciation for the incredible natural resources, the incredible bounty that we’ve been blessed with as a nation.  And you’re working hard every day to make sure those resources are around for my daughters and your children and hopefully their children to enjoy.

Doing that takes creativity.  The great Aldo Leopold once said that conservation is "a positive exercise of skill and insight, not merely a negative exercise of abstinence and caution."  It's not just about doing nothing; it's about doing something affirmative to make sure that we are passing on this incredible blessing that we have.  And you also know that effective conservation is about more than just protecting our environment -- it’s about strengthening our economy.  When we put in place new common-sense rules to reduce air pollution, like we did in December, it was to prevent our kids from breathing in dangerous chemicals.  That's something we should all be able to agree on.  But it will also create new jobs, building and installing all sorts of pollution control technology.  And since it will prevent thousands of heart attacks and cases of childhood asthma, it will also take some strain off our health care system.

When we make a commitment to restore a million acres of grasslands and wetlands and wildlife habitat -- like the Department of Agriculture and Interior did today -- we’re not just preserving our land and water for the next generation.  We’re also making more land available for hunting and fishing.  And we’re bolstering an outdoor economy that supports more than 9 million jobs and brings in more than a trillion dollars a year.  (Applause.)  

And when we make it easier to visit this country -- like we've done recently at accelerating the process for foreign travelers to get visas -- we’re not just boosting tourism in big cities and places like Disney World.  We’re helping more people discover our parks and our mountains and our beaches.  And more visitors means more people renting cars and staying in hotels and eating at our restaurants and buying our equipment.

So the work you’re doing today is important if we’re going to grow our economy and put more people back to work.  But conservation is also important when it comes to another issue that I’ve been talking about lately, and that's developing new sources of American-made energy.

Obviously, gas prices are on a lot of folks’ minds right now.  And we’re getting another painful reminder of why developing new energy is so important for our future.  Of course, because it’s an election year, everybody is trotting out their  3-point plans for $2.00 gas.  And you know what that involves, is you drill and then you drill and then you drill some more.  We’ve heard this for 30 years. 

The American people know better.  They understand we can’t just drill our way out of high gas prices.  We’re doing everything we can to boost U.S. production.  But if we’re going to take control of our energy future and avoid these gas price spikes in the future, then we’ve got to have a sustained, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy -– yes, oil and gas, but also wind and solar and biofuels, and more. 

And we’re making progress on this front.  In 2010, our dependence on foreign oil was under 50 percent for the first time in 13 years.  (Applause.)  Because of the investments we’ve made, the use of clean, renewable energy in this country has nearly doubled.  (Applause.)  And in my State of the Union address, I announced that we’re allowing the development of clean energy on enough public land to power 3 million homes -– 3 million homes.  That protects our environment and it helps families and businesses save money.

But while it’s important to use public lands to develop things like wind and solar energy, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we’ve also got to focus on protecting our planet. 

That’s why Teddy Roosevelt made sure that as we build this country and harvest its bounty, we also protect its beauty. That’s part of our national character.  And historically, it’s been bipartisan.

That’s why, even as our country grew by leaps and bounds, we made sure to set aside places like the Grand Canyon for our children and our grandchildren.  It’s why my administration has stood up to protect its waters.  That’s why President Kennedy directed a portion of the revenues from oil and gas production to help communities build trails and ball fields –- and why my administration has fought to protect the Land and Water Conservation Fund.  (Applause.) 
 
That’s why the hunters and anglers in this country have always been willing to pay a few extra bucks for a fishing license or a duck stamp that helps protect streams and habitats  -- because they want to make sure that their grandkids can enjoy these same pastimes.  That’s why my administration is expanding access to public lands so that more Americans can cast a rod or teach their children how to hunt. 

We have to keep investing in the technology and manufacturing that helps us lead the world, but we’ve also got to protect the places that help define who we are, that help shape our character and our soul as a nation.  Places that help attract visitors and create jobs, but that also give something to our kids that is irreplaceable. 

And all of us have a role to play.  One of the first bills I signed after taking office was the Public Lands bill that protected more than a thousand miles of rivers and established new national parks and trails.  (Applause.)  And two years ago, thanks to some great work by my Cabinet, and Ken Salazar especially, I kicked off the America’s Great Outdoors initiative to support conservation projects happening in all 50 states, including Fort Monroe in Virginia, which just became America’s 396th national park.  (Applause.) 

Right now, we’re restoring the River of Grass in the Everglades, providing clean water to millions of residents -- (applause) -- creating thousands of jobs -- construction jobs -- in southern Florida. 

We need to keep moving forward on projects like these.  And I know we’ve got ranchers and farmers and landowners here today who represent places like the Crown of the Continent in Montana, the Dakota Grasslands, and everywhere in between.  We need to keep working to protect these incredible landscapes that all of you know so well. 

The bottom line is this:  There will always be people in this country who say we’ve got to choose between clean air and clean water and a growing economy, between doing right by our environment and putting people back to work.  And I’m here to tell you that is a false choice.  (Applause.)  That is a false choice.  (Applause.)  With smart, sustainable policies, we can grow our economy today and protect our environment for ourselves and our children. 

We know it’s possible.  And we know it because of what’s been happening in communities like yours, where compromise isn’t a dirty word, where folks can recognize a good idea no matter where it comes from. 

A while back, I heard a story about the Rogue River in Oregon.  Every year, the Rogue is filled with salmon swimming upstream to spawn.  But because factories were allowed to -- allowing warm water to run back into the river, the temperature was becoming too high for the salmon to survive.  So to fix the problem, the town could have required the company to buy expensive cooling equipment, but that would have hurt the local economy.  Instead, they decided to pay farmers and ranchers to plant trees along the banks of the river, and that helped to cool the water at a fraction of the cost.  So it worked for business; it worked for farmers; it worked for salmon.

And those are the kinds of ideas that we need in this country -– ideas that preserve our environment, protect our bottom line, and connect more Americans to the great outdoors. 

And this is personally important to me.  Some of you know that I grew up in Hawaii mostly, and we got some pretty nice outdoors in Hawaii.  (Laughter.)  And you spend a lot of time outdoors, and you learn very early on to appreciate this incredible splendor.  But I remember when I was 11, I had never been to the mainland, and my grandmother and my mother and my sister, who at the time was two, decided we were going to take a big summer trip.  And we traveled across the country.  And mostly we took Greyhound buses.  My grandmother was getting -- she had some eye problems, and so she couldn’t see that well, so she was a little nervous about driving long distances.  Sometimes we took the train.  And we went to the usual spots -- Disneyland.  I was 11, right?  (Laughter.)

But I still remember traveling up to Yellowstone, and coming over a hill, and suddenly just hundreds of deer and seeing bison for the first time, and seeing Old Faithful.  And I remember that trip giving me a sense of just how immense and how grand this country was, and how diverse it was -- and watching folks digging for clams in Puget Sound, and watching ranchers, and seeing our first Americans guide me through a canyon in Arizona.  And it gave you a sense of just what it is that makes America special. 

And so when I went back to Yellowstone, with Ken and my daughters -- that was the first time they had been -- and I'm standing there -- I'm thinking not only about them and the first time they're seeing this, but I'm also remembering back to when my grandmother and my mother had shown me this amazing country so many years before.

And that is part of what we have to fight for.  That's what's critical, is making sure that we're always there to bequeath that gift to the next generation.  (Applause.)  And if you'll work with me, I promise I'll do everything I can -- (applause) -- I'll do everything I can to help protect our economy but also protect this amazing planet that we love and this great country that we've been blessed with.

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

END
5:46 P.M. EST

Remarks by the First Lady at a Campaign Event

Raleigh Marriott City Center
Raleigh, North Carolina

1:06 P.M. EST

MRS. OBAMA:  Wow!  This is good stuff.  (Applause.)  Oh, my goodness!  Yes, indeed!  Yes, we can!  (Applause.)  Yes, we will.  You all, thank you so much.  Please, rest yourselves -- because we want all that energy for November.  (Laughter.)  So just rest yourselves.

It is a true pleasure and an honor to be with all of you back in North Carolina.  We're going to be spending a lot of time in this state, and we are happy about that.  (Applause.)

I want to start with just a few thank-yous.  I want to thank Eliza for that very kind introduction, but more importantly, for her passion, her leadership in the College Democrats, both here in North Carolina and across the country.  It is that kind of young leadership, right, that really makes the difference in our country.  And if anybody is worried about the future of this country, you look to people like Eliza and you know that we are in good hands.  (Applause.)

I also want to recognize Governor Perdue.  Now, she was here earlier, but she's going to be spending the day with me across the state, so she had to jump ahead.  But we’re thrilled that she could join us today.  And we'll be (inaudible) part of the day with me as well.

I also want to acknowledge today’s other panelists as well:  Secretary of State Elaine Marshall -- yes, indeed -- (applause) -- and I heard that panel was awesome -- Janet Cowell, and Cynthia Marshall, as well as Simone Ward.  Let's give them all a wonderful round of applause.  (Applause.)

And of course, I want to thank all of you for taking the time out of your busy lives to join us today.

And of course, I have to give a big shoutout to our Host Committee, because this is a sold-out event.  You guys did a great job.  I want our Host Committee to stand up, let's see you guys.  Round of applause to everyone who helped out on this event.  (Applause.)  I would say this event is a success, right?  Yes.

But thank you all again.

Now, I know that there is a reason why you all are here.  And it's not just to hang out with me, although I love hanging out with all of you.  (Applause.)  But you’re also here because I know that we stand at a fundamental crossroads for our country.  And I know you’re here because you know that in less than a year from now -- already; November is coming --  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 won’t just affect all of us, but it's going to affect our children, it's going to affect our grandchildren, and it's going to affect the world that we leave behind for them long after we’re gone.  And that’s really why I am here.  I am going to be out on the road all over the country.  That is why I am doing this.

As First Lady, I have had the privilege, the honor of traveling all across this magnificent country, meeting with folks from all different backgrounds and hearing what’s going on in their daily lives.  That is really the -- one of the beautiful things about my role.  But every day, I do hear about the struggles that people are facing -- the bills they’re trying to pay, the businesses people are trying to keep afloat.  And I hear about how people are doing everything they can in their power to keep it all together.  They’re taking the extra shift.  They're working the extra job.  They're saving and they're sacrificing, many people never spending a dime on themselves because they desperately want something better for their kids.

And make no mistake about it, these struggles are not new.  For decades now, middle-class folks have been squeezed from all sides.  The cost for things like gas, groceries, tuition, they have continued to rise, but people’s paychecks just haven’t kept up.  And when the economic crisis hit, for far too many of our families the bottom just completely fell out.

Now, over the past three years, your President has worked very hard to dig ourselves out of this mess.  Yes, indeed.  (Applause.)  And we have made some very important progress.  We’ve had 23 straight months of private sector job growth -- (applause) -- and today, unemployment is now the lowest it’s been in nearly three years.  (Applause.)

There is a lot of good news, but we know that we still have a long way to go.  And we’ve been working very hard -- your President, this administration, all of us -- to rebuild our economy based on a vision that we all share -– the belief, as my husband says, that hard work should pay; that responsibility should be rewarded; and more importantly, that everyone -- everyone in this country -- should get a fair shot, and do their fair share, and play by the same rules.  (Applause.)

And this vision, it is based on basic American values.  They’re the values that so many of us were raised with, including myself.  You all, by now, know my story:  My father was a blue-collar worker, worked at a city plant; my family lived in a little-bitty apartment for most of my life on the South Side of Chicago.  And neither of my parents attended college, but what they did do is they worked, they saved, they sacrificed -- they put everything they had into me and my brother so that we could have things they never dreamed of.

And more than anything else, that is what’s at stake.  That's what's at stake -- the 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 and an even better life for your kids.  (Applause.)

And on just about every issue -– from health care to education to the economy -– that's the choice that we face. 

For example, when you hear this talk about tax cuts for middle-class families, you hear people talking about the President talking about unemployment insurance for folks out of work, that’s about whether people can heat their homes, whether they can put gas in their car so that they can even look for work; those conversations about whether folks can send their kids to college, retire with a little dignity, some security.  And it’s about whether people will have more money in their pockets, which means more money in our economy, which means more jobs.  All of that's at stake.

And when it comes to jobs, think back to 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 Barack had the backs of American workers.  He put his faith in the American people.  And today, the auto industry is back on its feet, and people -- (applause) -- and more importantly, people are back to work and providing for their families.  That’s what’s at stake.  That's the choice we face.

And think, for just a minute, about what this administration has done to stand up for American consumers.  I mean, I’m talking about families getting hit with those hidden credit card fees.  I’m talking about students like Eliza drowning in debt; talking about our seniors, our grandparents losing their homes and their savings because they were tricked into loans they couldn’t afford and probably couldn't understand.

And that’s why your President created a new consumer watchdog with just one simple mission -– and that is to protect folks from exactly these kinds of abuses.  Because when you’ve worked hard and you’ve saved and you’ve followed the rules, you shouldn’t lose it all to someone looking to make some easy money.  (Applause.)  See, that’s not fair, it’s not right, and your President is working to do something about it.  (Applause.)

And what about all that we’ve done together for our small businesses -– the companies that create two-thirds of all new jobs each year.  That’s two-thirds of all jobs.  I’m talking about the mom in the neighborhood who opens up that drycleaner to provide for her kids.  We're talking about the family that’s been running the neighborhood diner for generations; the veteran who launches a startup and pursues that American Dream that he fought so hard for.  Those are the folks we're talking about, the people who work themselves to the bone during the day, then head home and pore over the books late into the night, determined to make the numbers add up.

See, for these folks, the small business tax cuts that your President has passed mean the difference between hiring new employees or handing out pink slips; the difference between keeping those doors open or some of those companies closing 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 to help women get equal pay for equal work?  (Applause.)  Yes.  That's what's at stake.  And he did this because he knows what it means when women aren’t treated fairly in the workplace.  This is your President, who watched his own grandmother -– a woman with a high school education -– work her way up to become a vice president at a little community bank.  And she worked hard, and she was good at what she did.  But like so many women for generations, she hit that glass ceiling, and she watched men no more qualified than she was –- men she had actually trained –- get promoted up that corporate ladder ahead of her. 

So believe me, for Barack, this issue is not abstract.  This is not hypothetical.  And he signed this bill because he knows that closing that pay gap can mean the difference between women losing $50, $100, $500 from each paycheck, or having that money in their pockets to pay for gas and groceries, and to put clothes on the backs of their kids.  He did it because when nearly two-thirds of women are breadwinners or co-breadwinners, women’s success in this economy is the key to families’ success in this economy.  Your President knows that.  (Applause.) 

And he did it because, as he put it, we believe that here in America there are no second-class citizens in our workplace.  But that is what’s at stake.  (Applause.)  That is what's at stake.

And let’s spend a little more time on health care.  Eliza mentioned this:  Last year, we made history together by finally passing health reform.  (Applause.)  But now there are folks actually talking about repealing that reform.  So we have to ask ourselves today, are we going to stand by and let that happen?  Really?

I mean, since we passed this law, millions of our senior citizens have saved an average of more than $600 a year on their prescription drugs.  (Applause.)  So we have to ask ourselves, are we going to take that savings away?  Are we going to give that up?  Or will we make sure that our parents and our grandparents can afford to stay healthy in their golden years?  Are we going to go back to the days when insurance companies could deny our children coverage because they have pre-existing conditions, things like cancer, diabetes, even asthma?  Or will we stand up and say that in this country, no one should ever have to choose between going bankrupt or watching their child suffer because they can’t afford a doctor.  (Applause.)

And when our kids grow up and graduate from school, we all know how hard it is for them to find jobs that provide insurance, right?  That is why, as part of health reform, kids now can stay on their parent’s coverage until they’re 26 years old.  (Applause.)  And today, that is how 2.5 million of our young people are getting their insurance right now.  It's the only reason they have insurance.  So are we going to take that insurance away from our kids?  Or will we say that we don’t want our sons and daughters going without health care when they’re just starting out, building their families and careers of their own?  But that is the choice that we face.  Those are the stakes.

And think, for a moment, what’s been done on education.  Think about all the investments this President has made to raise standards and reform our public schools.  This is about improving the circumstances for millions of our children in this country -- kids we all know today sitting in crumbling classrooms; children with so much promise; kids who could be anything they wanted if we just gave them the chance.

Think about how my husband has been fighting for the DREAM Act, so that talented, hardworking young people who were brought to this country through no fault of their own can have a chance to earn their citizenship.  (Applause.)  This is about responsible young men and women who want to go to college, who want to defend our country, and continue our economy -- and it's time that we give them that chance.  That's what's at stake.

And think about how we have tripled investments for job training at community colleges.  I mean, this is about hundreds of thousands of hardworking folks who are determined to get the skills they need for a better job and better wages.  I mean, these are folks doing it all.  They’re working full-time, raising their kids.  But they still make it to class every evening and study late into the night, because they desperately want something better for their families.

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

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

And finally, let us not forget how this administration has worked to keep our 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 terror.

My husband ended the war in Iraq.  (Applause.)  He brought our troops home before the holidays.  And most importantly, we’re working to give our veterans and their families the education, the employment and the benefits they’ve earned.  (Applause.)

And 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.  That is what’s at stake.  (Applause.)

I could go on.  (Laughter.)  But we don't have all day.  (Laughter.)  But make no mistake about it, whether it’s health care or the economy, whether it’s education or 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?  Who are we?

Will we be a country where opportunity is limited to the 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 are we?  Will we tell folks who’ve done everything right, but are still struggling to get by, are we going to tell them, “tough luck, you’re on your own”?  I mean, who are we?

Or will we honor that fundamental American belief that this country is strongest when we’re all better off?  (Applause.)  Will we continue all the change that we’ve begun, all the progress we’ve made?  Or will we allow everything we’ve fought for to just slip away?  Because that is the choice we face.  Those are the stakes.

And believe me, your President knows this all too well.  See, 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 get on that bus to go to that job at that bank.  And even though she was passed over for all those promotions, he saw that she never complained.  That sound familiar?  Just kept on showing up, doing her best.

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

And I share this with everyone.  That is -- that is what I hear every night from my husband.  (Laughter.)  Every night.  (Laughter.)  After he’s been out traveling, been in the Oval Office, he comes home and he tells me about the people he’s met.  Not a night goes by when I don't hear about those stories.  That’s what I see in those quiet moments, after the girls have gone to bed, and he’s poring over his briefings and the thousands of letters that people have sent him -- the letter from the woman dying of cancer whose insurance company won’t cover her care; the letter from the father struggling to pay his family’s bills; the letter from far too many young people with so much promise, but so few opportunities.

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

See, what you must know about your President is that when it comes to the people he meets, he’s got a memory like a steel trap.  Gets on your nerves a little bit.  (Laughter.)  Because I can't remember anything.  (Laughter.)  He might not remember your name, but believe me, if he’s had a few minutes and a decent conversation with you, he will never forget your story.  It becomes imprinted on his heart.  And that is what he carries with him every single day -– it is our collection of struggles and hopes and dreams.  And that is where Barack gets his passion.  That’s where he gets his toughness and his fight.

And that is why, even in the hardest moments, when it seems like all is lost, and Barack never loses sight of the end goal.  Never.  He never lets himself get distracted by the chatter and the noise.  He just keeps moving forward.  It’s like his grandmother, never complaining, just keeps moving forward.

Because the thing about your President is that he has a vision for this country.  (Applause.)  And it is a vision that we all share.  It is our vision, our values that is guiding him.

But I have said this before -- I said this before, I will say it again:  He cannot do this alone.  That was never the promise.  I know I never made that promise.  (Laughter.)  He needs your help.  He needs you in this.  He needs you to know what's at stake.  He needs you to do that hard work, making those calls, right?  That's the tough work.  That's the work that makes a difference -- registering those voters.  He needs you to take those “I’m In” cards, sign them, get your friends, your neighbors and colleagues to sign them.  Convince them just how important it will be for them just to invest a little bit of their time each week to this goal, to this campaign.  We need you for that. 

Because we all know that this is not about just one extraordinary man -– although my husband is wonderful.  He is amazing.  (Applause.)  I'm a little biased, but it has always been about us.  This is about all of us.  It's about all of us coming together for the values that we believe in and the country we want to be.

But I’m not going to kid you, this journey is going to be long, and it is going to be hard, and there will be plenty of twists and turns along the way.  But the truth is, that’s how change always happens in this country.  It's how it always happens.  The reality is that change is slow, and real change never happens all at once.

But if we keep showing up, right, if we keep fighting that good fight, then eventually we get there.  We always do.  We always do.  Maybe not in our lifetimes, maybe in our children’s lifetime, maybe in our grandchildren’s lifetime. 

Because in the end, that’s what this is all about.  It's not about us.  We are not fighting these battles for ourselves, we're fighting them for our sons and daughters.  We are fighting them for our grandsons and our granddaughters.  (Applause.)  We are fighting for the world we want to leave for them.  (Applause.)  It's about them.

And believe me, I’m in this fight not just as a mother who wants to leave a legacy for my girls.  I’m in this as a citizen who knows what we can do together to change this country for the better.  Because the truth of the matter is, shoot, my girls will be fine.  They're blessed.  And that is true for so many children in this room.  My girls will have plenty of advantages and opportunities.

But the truth of the matter is, as the President has said so often, that if any child in this country is left behind, then that matters to all of us, even if she is not our daughter, even if he is not our son.  (Applause.)  If any family in this country struggles, then we cannot be fully content with our own family’s good fortune.  In the end, we cannot separate our own stories from the broader American story.  Because we know that in this country, we rise and we fall together.  And that's a good thing.  We know that if we make the right choices, and if we have the right priorities, we can ensure that everyone gets a fair shake and everyone gets a chance to get ahead.  So that is what’s at stake.

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

So I have one last question for you, and I ask this to everybody:  Are you in?

AUDIENCE:  Yes!  (Applause.)

MRS. OBAMA:  Wait, wait, I can't hear you.  Are you in?

AUDIENCE:  Yes!  (Applause.)

MRS. OBAMA:  I hope you're in, because I am so in this.  (Applause.)  I am so fired up.  And we need you all just ready to work, ready to make this happen, ready to capture and shape our vision, creating the country that we know we want to be.  We need you every step of the way. 

Are you in?

AUDIENCE:  Yes!  (Applause.)

MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you all.  God bless.  (Applause.)

END            
1:34 P.M. EST