Remarks by President Obama and President Lee of the Republic of Korea in a Joint Press Conference

East Room

12:22 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Please, everybody have a seat.  Good afternoon.  Once again, it is a great honor to welcome my good friend and partner, President Lee, back to the White House.  We had a wonderful dinner last night at one of our outstanding local Korean restaurants.  Michelle and I are looking forward to hosting the President and First Lady Kim at tonight’s state dinner.  And today President Lee will address Congress -- a high honor reserved for America’s closest friends.

This state visit reflects the fact that the Republic of Korea is one of our strongest allies.  Because we’ve stood together, the people of South Korea, from the ruins of war, were able to build an economic miracle and become one of our largest trading partners, creating jobs and opportunity for both our peoples.  Because we stood together, South Koreans were able to build a strong and thriving democracy and become a steady partner in preserving security and freedom not only on the Korean peninsula, but beyond. 

As I said this morning, this visit also recognizes South Korea’s emergence as one of our key global partners.  South Koreans have served bravely with us in Afghanistan and Iraq.  South Korean forces have partnered with us to prevent piracy off the shores of Africa and stem the spread of weapons of mass destruction.  Once a recipient of aid, South Korea has become a donor nation, supporting development from Asia to Africa.  And under President’s personal leadership, Seoul served as host to the G20 summit last year and will host the next Nuclear Security Summit next year.

South Korea’s success is a tribute to the sacrifices and tenacity of the Korean people.  It’s also a tribute to the vision and commitment of President Lee. 

Mr. President, you have shown how the international community should work in the 21st century -- more nations bearing the responsibility of meeting global challenges.  In the face of unprovoked attacks on your citizens, you and the South Korean people have shown extraordinary strength, restraint and resolve.

And I'd add that in all of our dealings, President Lee has shared my focus on what matters most -- the security and prosperity of our citizens.  And that, again, has been our focus today.

We agreed to move ahead quickly with the landmark trade agreement that Congress passed last night -- and which I’ll sign in the coming days.  It’s a win for both our countries.  For our farmers and ranchers here in the United States, it will increase exports of agricultural products.  From aerospace to electronics, it will increase American manufacturing exports, including those produced by our small businesses.  It will open Korea’s lucrative services market, and I’m very pleased that it will help level the playing field for American automakers. 

As a former executive, President Lee will understand when I say that just as Americans buy Hyundais and Kias, I hope that South Koreans will buy more Fords, Chryslers and Chevys.  And tomorrow, President Lee and I will be visiting with autoworkers in Michigan -- some of the many Americans who are going to benefit from this agreement.

In short, this agreement will boost American exports by up to $11 billion and support some 70,000 American jobs.  It has groundbreaking protections for labor rights, the environment and intellectual property -- so that trade is free and fair.  It will promote green jobs and clean energy, another area where we’re deepening our cooperation.  And it keeps us on track to achieve my goals of doubling American exports. 

So, President Lee, I thank you for your partnership in getting this deal done, a deal that will also be good for Korean businesses and Korean jobs.  I look forward to working with you to bring it into force as quickly as possible.  

As we expand our economic cooperation, we’re also deepening our security cooperation.  Guided by our joint vision for the alliance, we agreed to continue strengthening our capabilities to deter any threat.  I can never say it enough:  The commitment of the United States to the defense and security of the Republic of Korea will never waver.  And as we have for decades, the United States will maintain our strong presence in the Asia Pacific, which is a foundation for security and prosperity in Asia in the 21st century. 

In this regard, we discussed North Korea, which continues to pose a direct threat to the security of both our nations.  On this, President Lee [and I] are entirely united.  Together, we've succeeded in changing the equation with the North, by showing that its provocations will be met -- not with rewards but with even stronger sanctions and isolation.  So the choice is clear for North Korea.  If Pyongyang continues to ignore its international obligations, it will invite even more pressure and isolation.  If the North abandons its quest for nuclear weapons and moves toward denuclearization, it will enjoy greater security and opportunity for its people.  That's the choice that North Korea faces. 

Given the global nature of alliances, President Lee and I discussed the full range of challenges to our security and prosperity.  I thanked the President for South Korea’s continued support for reconstruction in Afghanistan and I updated him on the transition that is underway towards full Afghan responsibility for security.  We agreed to continue our support for democratic transitions in the Middle East and North Africa, including Libya. 

We’ve agreed to coordinate more closely on the development that lifts -- that can lift people and nations out of poverty.  I appreciated hearing the President’s plans for next year’s Nuclear Security Summit, which I look forward to attending.  And as we approach the G20 and APEC summits next month, we agreed on the need for coordinated global action that focuses on growth and creates jobs for our workers.

Finally, we’re strengthening the ties between our people.  South Korea is one of the top sources of international students studying in the United States.  And the number of American students who are studying in Korea has been soaring.  So we’ve directed our teams to sustain this momentum and expand educational exchanges between our people -- not unlike the one that once brought a visiting scholar named Lee Myung-bak to an American university just blocks from here.

So, again, Mr. President, I thank you for your partnership and your friendship.  And because of the progress we’ve made today, I’m confident that your visit will mark a turning point in the enduring alliance between our two nations. 

Thank you very much.

PRESIDENT LEE:  (As interpreted.)  Thank you, Mr. President.  First of all, I thank President Obama again for inviting me to make a state visit to the United States.  My thanks goes out to the Madam First Lady as well.  I am pleased to have had the chance to reaffirm once again the strong partnership and friendship between our two countries.

I met with President Obama six times over the last three years.  Our meetings were always constructive, allowing us to reaffirm the strength of our alliance, an alliance that is firmly based upon shared values and mutual trust.  This alliance guarantees peace, stability and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, the Asia Pacific region and beyond.  We will continue to strengthen what is already a powerful and far-reaching alliance.

I was privileged to have spent many hours with President Obama during my visit to Washington, D.C. this time, discussing and sharing views on a wide array of issues, such as security on the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia region; trade and economic cooperation between our two countries; situation in the Middle East, including what is unfolding in Libya; various international security issues; and, of course, the global economy and the challenges that we face today.

In particular, we welcome the ratification of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement by the United States Congress.  I am confident that the Korea National Assembly will soon ratify this very important agreement in the near future.

I take this opportunity to sincerely thank President Obama, the congressional leadership and the members of Congress, for their support and commitment.  The Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement is a historic achievement that will become a significant milestone in our 130-year relationship.  It is a win-win agreement that will benefit both of our countries in countless ways.  This agreement will create more jobs, generate more trade, and stimulate our economies.

This free trade agreement will bring numerous benefits to our workers, our companies, our small businesses and our consumers alike.  Furthermore, mutual investments will increase and our economic partnership will become stronger.  And the KORUS FTA will bring benefits beyond Korea and the United States.  It will be a gateway to enhancing ties between North America and Asia.  It will allow us to get ahead and stay ahead in the global markets.

As we all know, the global economy is undergoing many challenges.  The Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement will demonstrate to the world that we can create good-quality jobs and stimulate growth through open and fair trade.  This is a good example.  The passage of the KORUS FTA has opened up a new chapter in our partnership, in our alliance.

For the last 60 years we have maintained a strong political, military alliance.  Now the KORUS FTA signals the beginning of an economic alliance.  This alliance will strengthen and elevate our military and political alliance to a whole new level.  Our alliance is evolving into a future-oriented partnership and it will become stronger. 

When President Obama and I adopted a joint vision for the future of the alliance in 2009, we agreed to expand the depth and scope of our strategic alliance.  Today, we reaffirmed our common commitment to a common future -- a future of ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and beyond, including the Northeast Asian region.  Our alliance will continue to play a pivotal role in overcoming the many global challenges that we face today.

Recently, we were deeply shocked when we read the reports on the attempt to harm the Saudi envoy here in Washington D.C.  I and the Korean people strongly condemned all forms of terrorism. And as you can see already, our two countries are working to bring peace and ensure stability around the world.  We are partners in Iraq and Afghanistan.  We are safeguarding our vital sea lanes off the coast of Somalia.

Today, we also talked about the rebuilding of Libya and bringing democracy and economic prosperity to a region wracked by violence and instability.  We also agreed to continue our work towards promoting universal values such as human rights, democracy and freedom across the world. 

In particular, we agreed that Korea and the United States will contribute to the economic development and administrative capacity-building in Libya, provide vocational training for its young people, provide medical care, and rebuild and reinvest in its infrastructure.  We will coordinate our joint efforts with the United Nations support mission in Libya and the Friends of Libya meetings, and our international partners. 

We also talked about the worrying state of the global economy and how to overcome the perils that emanated from the eurozone.  The situation in Europe is a source of grave concern. We agreed to strengthen international cooperation through the G20 so that the fiscal situation does not endanger the recovery of our real economies.  In particular, our two countries agreed to work together to bring back stability to our financial markets similar to what we did back in 2008.

As we have done for the past three years, President Obama and I will remain in complete agreement when dealing with North Korea.  Our principled approach will remain steadfast.  We agreed that North Korea’s continued pursuit of nuclear weapons poses a serious threat to peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the world.  We will continue to work towards denuclearization of the peninsula.

The second Nuclear Security Summit will be held next March in Seoul.  During the summit, we will review the progress made since the first summit in 2010, which was convened under the initiative of President Obama.  The leaders will have one goal, and that is to achieve our collective vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.

I thank President Obama and his able team for giving us their full support in the preparations of the summit, and, of course, we’ll continue to work with them.  And I look forward to welcoming President Obama and Mrs. Obama in Seoul next year.

Thank you very much.

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  All right.  We’re going to start off with Ed Henry.  Where’s Ed?

Q    Thank you, Mr. President.  I appreciate it. 

President Lee, I wanted to start with you, one question each.  First, when you mentioned North Korea, what concrete steps do you think the Obama administration has helped to contain Kim Jong Il?

And, President Obama, I wanted to get your first reaction to the Iranian terror plot.  Your Secretary of State called it a dangerous escalation.  What specific steps will you take to hold Iran accountable, especially when Mitt Romney charged last week, “If you do not want America to be the strongest nation on Earth, I am not your President -- you have that President today”?

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Well, I didn't know that you were the spokesperson for Mitt Romney.  (Laughter.)  But let me just talk about the plot in particular.  We have a situation here where the Attorney General has laid out a very specific set of facts.  What we know is that an individual of Iranian-American descent was involved in a plot to assassinate the ambassador to the United States from Saudi Arabia.  And we also know that he had direct links, was paid by and directed by individuals in the Iranian government.

Now, those facts are there for all to see.  And we would not be bringing forward a case unless we knew exactly how to support all the allegations that are contained in the indictment. 

So we have contacted all our allies, the international community; we’ve laid the facts before them.  And we believe that after people have analyzed them, there will not be a dispute that this is, in fact, what happened. 

This is a -- not just a dangerous escalation; this is part of a pattern of dangerous and reckless behavior by the Iranian government.  One of the principles of international behavior is that our diplomats -- we send them around the world -- that they are going to be protected, they are not targets for threats or physical violence.  And for Iran to have been involved in a plot like this indicates the degree to which it has been outside of accepted norms of international behavior for far too long.  This is just one example of a series of steps that they’ve taken to create violence and to behave in a way that you don’t see other countries doing. 

So with respect to how we respond, our first step is to make sure that we prosecute those individuals that have been named in the indictment.  And I will leave to the Attorney General the task of describing how that will proceed.

The second thing that we’re going to continue to do is to apply the toughest sanctions and continue to mobilize the international community to make sure that Iran is further and further isolated and that it pays a price for this kind of behavior. 

Keep in mind that when I came into office I think Iran saw itself as being able to play various countries against each other and avoid the kind of isolation that it deserved.  Since that time, what we’ve seen, whether it relates to its nuclear program or its state-sponsored terrorism, that more and more countries have been willing to speak out in forceful ways, whether through the United Nations or through other avenues, to say this is not acceptable behavior.  And it is having an impact.  I mean, what we’ve seen is Iran’s economy is in a much more difficult state now than it was several years ago, in part because we’ve been able to unify the international community in naming Iran’s misbehavior and saying that it's got to stop and there are going to be consequences to its actions.

Now, we don’t take any options off the table in terms of how we operate with Iran.  But what you can expect is that we will continue to apply the sorts of pressure that will have a direct impact on the Iranian government until it makes a better choice in terms of how it’s going to interact with the rest of the international community.

There is great similarity between how Iran operates and how North Korea operates -- a willingness on their part to break international rules, to flout international norms, to not live up to their own commitments.  And each time they do that the United States will join with its partners and allies in making sure that they pay a price. 

And I think that -- I have to emphasize that this plot was not simply directed at the United States of America.  This is a plot that was directed against the Saudi ambassador.  And I think that what you’re going to see is folks throughout the Middle East region questioning their ability to work effectively with Iran.  This builds on the recognition within the region that Iran in fact has been hypocritical when it comes to dealing with the Arab Spring, given their own repressive activities inside their country, their willingness to prop up the Syrian regime at a time when they’re killing their own citizens. 
This is a pattern of behavior that I think increasingly the international community is going to consider out of bounds and is going to continue to punish Iran for.  Unfortunately, the Iranian people are the ones that probably suffer the most from this regime’s behavior.  And we will continue to work to see how we can bring about a Iranian government that is actually responsive to its people but also following the rules of the road that other countries in the international community follow.

PRESIDENT LEE:  (As interpreted.)  Thank you.  To answer your question about North Korea, first of all, President Obama and I, for the last three years, we have maintained very close cooperation and coordination when it comes to North Korea policy. We have consistently applied our principled approach towards North Korea.

For North Korea, the only way to ensure happiness for its people and to embark on that path to development is to abandon its nuclear ambitions.  And so we have tried through peaceful means, through diplomatic means, to strongly urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

And in this day and age, we realize that no single country can be effective in achieving its diplomatic or economic aims on its own.  We know that cooperation is vital in order for a country to become a responsible member of the international community, which is something that we want for North Korea.  And so we would, of course, want North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions.  And, of course, Korea and the United States will continue to consistently apply a principled approach so that we can achieve our strategic objective.

And when it comes to cooperation between our two governments, we speak with one voice, and we will continue to speak with one voice.  And it was a chance for me to reaffirm this today.

Q    I know that President Lee is talking about a South Korea-North Korea-Russia trilateral gas pipeline project.  But North Korea is also under a lot of sanctions from the international community and the United States and other countries.  But having said that, if this gas line project proceeds as planned, then we would have to provide or compensate North Korea with a substantial amount of money or other forms of compensation.  So in your opinion, President Lee, do you think that the gas line pipe project will be able to proceed without resolving the North Korean nuclear issue?

PRESIDENT LEE:  (As interpreted.)  Yes, thank you.  And I don't know if that’s a question that I should be answering here in the United States, but since you asked a question I will try to answer that.

In the Far East, we have been discussing this issue for quite some time in trying to import Russian gas into the Republic of Korea.  Now, we’re discussing, right now with the North Koreans, whether the Russian gas -- which is quite affordable -- can travel through North Korea and be imported and be used in South Korea. 

This is beneficial, first of all, for Russians because they can sell their natural resource.  For North Korea it is beneficial because they could use this natural resource, and also beneficial for South Korea as well.  But let me just remind you that South Korea, North Korea and Russia haven’t yet come together to discuss this issue in any detail.  But from an economic standpoint of view, it is beneficial for all parties involved.  But I understand that this issue is not just economics alone.  This issue, inevitably, involves security matters, which we will consider very closely. 

And, also, let me remind you that this project will not be implemented anytime soon.  Of course we are mindful of the progress that we are making with regards to the North Korean nuclear issue as well.

Q    Thank you, Mr. President.  First, briefly, to follow on Ed, if I may.  On the Iran alleged terror plot, do you have knowledge or do you believe that the nation’s Supreme Leader and President had knowledge of the plot?  And if so, do you not see that as an act of war?

And, if I could turn to the economy, yesterday in a campaign video you said that you will force Congress to take up individual pieces of the American Jobs Act.  Which pieces would you like to see them take up first?  And given that, so far, you’ve been unable to force Congress to do an up or down vote on entire bill, and that new unemployment filings are not falling, why not, now, sit down with members of Congress to see if you can’t reach compromise on something that could pass now and create jobs quickly?

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Okay.  First of all, on the Iranian issue, the Attorney General has put forward the facts with respect to the case, and I’m going to let him comment on the details of those facts.  What we can say is that there are individuals in the Iranian government who are aware of this plot.  And had it not been for the outstanding intelligence work of our intelligence officials, this plot could have gone forward and resulted not only in the death of the Saudi ambassador, but also innocent civilians here in the United States.

We believe that even if at the highest levels there was not detailed operational knowledge, there has to be accountability with respect to anybody in the Iranian government engaging in this kind of activity. 

And so we will continue the investigation.  We will continue to put forward all the facts that we have available to us.  But the important thing is for Iran to answer the international community why anybody in their government is engaging in these kinds of activities -- which, as I indicated before, are I think out of bounds for not just a country like Iran that historically has been engaging in these kinds of activities, but violates basic principles of how diplomats are dealt with for centuries.

Now, with respect to the jobs bill, I have said repeatedly that the single most important thing we can do for the economy right now is put people back to work right now.  And we have put forward a jobs bill that independent economists -- not my team, not my administration -- have said would grow the economy substantially and put up to 1.9 million people back to work. These are proposals that historically have been supported not just by Democrats, but also by Republicans.  As I’ve said as I’ve traveled around the country, I don’t know when rebuilding our roads and bridges that are decaying suddenly became a partisan issue. 

And I was at a Jobs Council meeting up in Pittsburgh with CEOs from companies across the board, many of whom have been traditional supporters of the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable and other organizations that the Republican Party has claimed a lot of support for.  And they said, for example, when it came to infrastructure this is something that anybody in Washington should agree to.

The Republicans haven’t given a good answer as to why they have not agreed to wanting to rebuild our roads and our bridges and our schools.  They have not given us a good reason as to why they don't want to put teachers back in the classroom.  And so what we’re going to do is we’re going to break each of these bills apart.  We’re going to say, let’s have a vote on putting teachers back in the classroom.  Let’s have a vote on rebuilding our infrastructure.  Let’s have a vote on making sure that we are keeping taxes low for small businesses and businesses that are willing to hire veterans, provide tax breaks for further investment that can create jobs.  And each time we’re going to ask Republicans to support the bill.  And if they don't want to support the bill, they’ve got to answer not just to us, but also the American people as to why they wouldn’t.

Now, I think this trade deal that we just passed -- the Korea Free Trade Act -- shows that we are happy to work with Republicans where they are willing to put politics behind the interest of the American people and come up with proposals that are actually going to create jobs.  The Korea Free Trade Act we believe will create up to 70,000 jobs.  It’s a good deal.  We got good, strong bipartisan support.

Frankly, we have not seen a lot of ideas coming forward from Republicans that would indicate that same kind of commitment to job creation.  If they do -- if Senator McConnell or Speaker Boehner say to me, you know what, we want to get some infrastructure built in this country, we think that putting construction workers back to work is important -- I’ll be right there.  We’ll be ready to go.  If they are willing to renew the payroll tax as we worked on together in December, I’ll be ready to go. 

I don’t think the problem here, Jessica, is that I have not been unwilling to negotiate with Republicans.  I've shown repeatedly my willingness to work overtime to try to get them to do something to deal with this high unemployment rate.  What we haven’t seen is a similar willingness on their part to try to get something done.  And we’re not going to wait around and play the usual political games here in Washington, because the American people are desperate for some relief right now.

Q    Will you invite them to the White House to negotiate on the jobs bill?

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  I think that anytime and anyplace that they are serious about working on putting people back to work we’ll be prepared to work with them.  But we’re not going to create a lot of theater that then results in them engaging in the usual political talking points but don’t result in action. 

People want action.  And I’m prepared to work with them. But, again, the last time I was here at a press conference I said -- I asked you guys to show us the Republican jobs plan that independent economists would indicate would actually put people back to work.  I haven’t yet seen it.  And so, eventually, I’m hoping that they actually put forward some proposals that indicate that they feel that sense of urgency about people -- needing to put people back to work right now.

All right, Jessica, you can’t have four follow-ups.  One is good.

Q    I have two questions to President Obama.  Yesterday, U.S. Congress ratified the Korea-U.S. FTA.  But Korean National Assembly didn’t pass it yet.  And Korean opposition party is requesting renegotiation on the FTA.  What is your opinion and prospect on the future of the Korea-U.S. FTA? 

And my second question is about Libya and North Korea.  In Libya, there was a people’s uprising and they changed their government.  And do you think such an event will be possible in North Korea in the near future?  Thank you.

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Well, first of all, President Lee assures me that the KORUS FTA will pass through the National Assembly.  I have great confidence in his leadership, and my expectation is that it will get done -- because it’s good for both countries.  And businesses will be able to prosper here in the United States as a consequence of lowering many of these trade barriers; the same will be true in Korea.  Our workers will benefit, and we can learn from each other.  And I think this is one more sign of the close cooperation and friendship between our two peoples.

You’re absolutely right that what we’ve seen in the Arab Spring -- in Libya, in Tunisia, in Egypt -- is this deep longing on the part of people for freedom and opportunity.  And although the path from dictatorship to democracy is always uncertain and fraught with danger, what we’ve seen also is that human spirit eventually will defeat repressive governments.

So I don’t want to predict when that might happen.  I think that obviously the people of North Korea have been suffering under repressive policies for a very long time, and none of us can look at a crystal ball and know when suddenly that type of government collapses on itself. 

What we know, though, is, is that what people everywhere -- whether it’s in Korea or the United States or Libya or Africa -- what people everywhere are looking for is the ability to determine their own destiny; to know that if they work hard that they will be able to be rewarded; that they can speak their mind, they can practice their religion in freedom; that they can enjoy the free flow of information that increasingly characterizes the 21st century.  And I don’t think that the people of North Korea are any exception. 

And I think when they see the extraordinary success and progress that’s been made in South Korea, I think, inevitably, that leads them to recognize that a system of markets and democracy and freedom is going to give their children and their grandchildren more opportunity than the system that they’re currently under.

All right, thank you very much, everybody.  (Applause.) 

END
1:00 P.M. EDT

Remarks by President Obama and President Lee of the Republic of Korea in an Exchange of Toasts at State Dinner

East Room

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  (In progress) -- representing one of America’s strongest allies and global partners, the Republic of Korea.  (Applause.) 

I also want to acknowledge two guests in particular.  Another son of Korea dedicated to peace and security, the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, is here -- (applause) -- and our first Korean-American ambassador to the Republic of Korea, confirmed by the Senate today, Ambassador Sung Kim.  (Applause.)

I’m going to be very brief tonight because President Lee has had a very full day and a very wet day -- (laughter) -- as well as extended meetings and press conferences, a State Department banquet, and an address to the Congress, which I understand went extraordinarily well.  There is a reason why people call him “The Bulldozer.”  He is unstoppable.  (Laughter.)

Mr. President, today you have spoken with great eloquence about what America and our alliance has meant to your life and the life of your country.  This evening, I want you and your countrymen to know what Korea and its people have meant to America.     

The essence of our alliance, I think, is embodied in a concept that is uniquely Korean.  It doesn’t translate that easily.  But it reflects the deep affection, the bonds of the heart that cannot be broken and that grow stronger with time.  Our Korean friends know it well -- jeong.   

In our country, we’ve felt this jeong in our vibrant Korean American communities, including in Hawaii where I grew up -- a melting pot of cultures that made me who I am, and that taught me we can all live together in mutual trust and respect.

I felt this jeong during my visit to Korea, on Veterans Day, the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, when our proud veterans of that war, both Korean and American, came together to celebrate a shared legacy -- a free, democratic and prosperous Republic of Korea.

And I felt this jeong in my friendship with President Lee.  Mr. President, your life story -- from crushing poverty to the presidency -- is an inspiration.  Your success, Korea’s success, speaks to the truth that, with education and hard work, anything is possible.  It’s a spirit our countries share.  You’ve described it in Korean, and in English, it translates as:  "Yes, we can."  (Laughter and applause.)  It sounds good in Korean, too.  (Laughter.)

Finally, I would note that in our lives President Lee and I have both been blessed to find our better halves -- leaders in their own right, advocates for women and young people, who we are proud to call our First Ladies.  Mr. President, as we say in America, we both married up.  (Laughter.)

And so I want to propose a toast -- I believe this is mine -- to our friends, President Lee and First Lady Kim, and to their delegation, most of all to the enduring alliance between our nations, a partnership of the heart that will never be broken.  Cheers.  Gun-bae. 

(A toast is offered.)

PRESIDENT LEE:  (As translated) First of all, Mr. President, Madam First Lady, distinguished guests, please allow me to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this warm reception extended to me, my wife and my delegation.  Thank you very much.

And Mr. President and Madam First Lady, my visit to you in Washington, D.C. this time is especially special because before you are the President of the United States of America, you are a great, close friend of mine.  And this is how I consider you as well as the Madam First Lady.  So this visit is very, very special for all of us.

Ladies and gentlemen, the President just spoke about the Korean emotion that we call jeong in Korea.  I think indeed President Obama knows that deep inside his heart he understands the essence of what we call jeong.  Jeong can be explained in many different aspects, but one aspect of that is an individual that is humble and very strong inside.  And I think President Obama exemplifies this trait of what we call jeong, and that is why we have a very special tie that we feel whenever I think about President Obama.  Ladies and gentlemen, I’m a very, very honest guy -- (laughter) -- so what I say, I really mean it. 

And also, Mr. President, I must thank you for one thing, because you have spoken so highly of the outstanding educational system of Korea, the dedication of its teachers and the determination of our Korean parents when it comes to educating their children.  You have so many new teacher fans in Korea.  (Laughter.)  And I have to be very honest with you.  I think there's quite a number of them who like you more than they like me.  (Laughter and applause.)

Mr. President, seriously, you do have a lot of teacher fans in Korea.  But the real reason, when we look deep down inside, the reason why you are so popular among many Koreans is because everyone, including myself, are deeply impressed by your endless passion for learning and that this is very much a -- very much reflected in your life story. 

Mr. President, Madam First Lady, ladies and gentlemen, whenever I think about the United States and the people of America, I also have a very personal story in mind, which I would like to share with you briefly tonight.  As you know, 60 years ago Korea used to be one of the poorest countries in the world, and my family was exceptionally poor, and we really had nothing to eat, nothing to wear.  We had to rely on foreign aid for many, many years.  And I remember -- I think I was about nine or 10 years old -- in my village there came an American missionary lady with boxes and containers full of used clothes that she would come to my village and hand out.

So, being a boy whose only wish at that time was to own and wear a pair of blue jeans, I decided to stand in line, along with many people.  But I was a very small and shy boy -- hard to imagine -- (laughter) -- so a lot of people were pushing and they were jostling about.  So I ended up way at the end of the line.  When my turn came, I went up to the American missionary lady and I asked for a pair of blue jeans, to which she said -- she just looked at me and said, "Well, I'm sorry, I'm all out of blue jeans."  And of course I was devastated.  I was heartbroken.  And this kind American missionary lady takes one look at me and, out of sympathy, she hands me something out of the box.  She handed me a small rubber ball.  Now, this did little to console the boy who was crushed, because, after all, what was I going to do with a rubber ball?

And so, to this day -- and I shared this story with President Obama -- and I -- when I finished the story I remember the President laughing a bit nervously, but -- (laughter) -- I told him, I said, "Mr. President, as you can see, I do not owe the United States anything, except" -- (laughter) -- "except maybe for a rubber ball."  (Laughter and applause.)

So, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. President, Madam First Lady, although half-jokingly I say that I do not owe the United States anything, but in reality my country and my people owe you tremendously.  Which other country -- no country came to aid the Republic of Korea 60 years ago when my country was being attacked by communists.  No country sacrificed more than 37,000 lives defending freedom for the people of my country.  So for that, for many, many years onwards, we will always, always be grateful to the American people.  (Applause.)

Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, just last night, the United States Congress passed and ratified the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.  I've said this before, but please allow me to say it again:  I am deeply appreciative and grateful to the leadership of Congress, to all the members of the United States Congress who supported this measure, and especially to the steadfast leadership of President Obama for pushing this through.  (Applause.)

And also, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, I know that there are those in the United States Congress who did not vote "yea" for this very important agreement.  I think I see a few faces here who -- (laughter) -- but I'm very, very confident, ladies and gentlemen, that in one year or even less that these people who may be a little bit critical of this important agreement will say that they made a mistake, because they will see the visible results of this very important agreement.  (Applause.)

And the thing that I want to prove the most, ladies and gentlemen, with the KORUS FTA is that many of those critics who were saying that the KORUS FTA was somehow going to make people lose their jobs -- but really the KORUS FTA is going to create a lot of good, decent jobs for the people of America.  And this is a point that I want to prove by implementing this agreement.

And, ladies and gentlemen, you see Mr. King seated at the head table here.  As I was receiving guests, and when he came up to me and I was shaking hands, I thought to myself, this is my chance to explain to Mr. King that the KORUS FTA is going to create a lot of good jobs for his people and the members of his union.  (Applause.)

Well, the fact that Mr. King accepted the invitation to be here tonight just goes to show that he believes in the essence and the core values of the KORUS FTA, so I have no worries.  (Laughter.)

Mr. President, Madam First Lady, ladies and gentlemen, our relationship between our two countries began 130 years ago.  Sixty years ago, our mutual defense treaty began what is considered to be one of the strongest military and political alliance that the world has ever known.  Of course, we are here today to celebrate our journey of the last 60 years, one that has been -- always been marked by triumphs, sometimes heartache, but always full of hope.  And we are gathered here to reaffirm our friendship and to renew our common commitment towards our shared goals.  I know that our relationship will go strong; it will become more mature and complete.

Mr. President, as we talked about over the last few days, we have many, many challenges that are facing us as a nation and as a member of the international community.  We do not know when, what type of form or how it is going to strike us.  There is a lot of uncertainty out there.  But I believe in our friendship, because if we are faced with challenges, I know that we will overcome them and even come out stronger.

I just want to emphasize once again our alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States.  It ensures us that we are not alone -- neither is Korea alone or the United States.  So we can have confidence that we will be able to overcome any challenges that may face us.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I see the guests today, and I think a lot of you are people who are very much liked by the President and the Madam First Lady.  I also see a few of you who I always wanted to see, and so I'm very happy that I have the chance to see and meet with you tonight.

So once again, Mr. President, Madam First Lady, thank you so much for this honor, and thank you for your invitation.  (Applause.)

(In English)  Now I'm going to propose a toast -- for us.  (Laughter.)

(As translated)  Ladies and gentlemen, please join me now in a toast:  First of all, for the health and well-being of President Obama and Madam First Lady, and, of course, for our everlasting friendship between our two countries.

(A toast is offered.)

END

Remarks by the First Lady at 2012 DNC Dinner

Private Residence, Washington, D.C.

7:23 P.M. EDT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

END 7:47 P.M. EDT

Remarks by the First Lady at 2012 DNC Reception

Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, D.C.

6:17 P.M. EDT

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

        AUDIENCE MEMBER:  You look good!  (Applause.)

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

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

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

        AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

        AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Pass that bill!  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

        AUDIENCE:  No!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

        So Barack knows what it means when a family struggles.  He knows what it means when someone doesn't have a chance to fulfill their potential.  And believe me, today, as a father, he knows what it means to want your child to grow up with no limits to their dreams.  I mean, those are the experiences that have made him the man and the President that he is today, and we are blessed to have him.  (Applause.)  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

END 6:39 P.M. EDT