Remarks by the First Lady to the National Council of La Raza

Earnest M. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans, Louisiana

11:59 A.M. CDT

MRS. OBAMA:  Buenos dias!  Oh, my goodness.  You all rest yourselves.  You've been busy.  I understand you are having a phenomenal conference.  And it is such a pleasure to be here with all of you today for this 2013 Annual Conference.

Of course, I want to start by thanking Janet not just for that very kind introduction, but I want to thank her, as well as Jorge Plasencia, for their leadership, for this outstanding organization.  I also very much want to thank all of you who are part of this great American organization. 

As you know, for more than four decades, NCLR has served as a powerful voice on the most important issues of our time -- from voting rights to health care, from education to immigration.  Because of all of you, your steadfast work, we have seen such great progress for the Latino community and for our country.   

And please know that whether it’s implementing health reform or passing common-sense immigration reform, your President and his administration are going to keep working with you and fighting with you every step of the way.  (Applause.)  Know that. And I know these debates are hard -- particularly on immigration. But do not give up, because I promise you that my husband won’t give up until a good bill gets on his desk.  (Applause.)

That's because in the end, these issues are all about one simple thing:  They’re about achieving the American Dream.  They’re about building a country where no matter who you are, or where you’re from, or what you look like, or who you love, you can build a decent life for yourself and an even better life for your kids. 

But, of course, as you all know, keeping that dream alive isn’t just about changing our laws out in Washington.  It’s also about changing people’s lives on the ground.  It’s about the grassroots, community-based work that so many of you have been doing for so long.  And that's especially true of the issue that I want to discuss with you today -- as Janet mentioned, an issue that affects the lives of children and families across this country -- and that is the epidemic of childhood obesity in America today.  

Now, we often talk about this issue as a policy issue, which it is, since our laws certainly affect our children’s health.  And we often say that it is a public health issue, which is true, since we now spend $190 billion a year treating obesity-related illnesses like diabetes, cancer and heart disease.  But more than anything else, how we raise and nourish our children is very much a family issue.  It’s very much a community issue. 

And see, that’s where it gets complicated, because that's where it gets personal and emotional.  Because the truth is, for so many of us, food is love.  (Laughter.)  I mean, it is no coincidence.  Applause for food is love.  (Applause.)  It is no coincidence that the kitchen is the central gathering place in so many of our homes.  And it’s no surprise that food is at the heart of so many of our family occasions.  Because whether we’re celebrating the good times or comforting each other in the bad times, food is how we knit our families together.  It’s how we pass on our culture and our heritage as meals become family traditions and recipes are passed on from generation to generation.  And by cooking for our loved ones, we show them how much we care about them, even when we can’t say it with words.

And that was certainly true in my family when I was growing up.  My grandfather was an outstanding cook.  His barbecued ribs -- let me tell you, they were legendary.  (Laughter.)  We called my grandfather "Southside."  Why, because he lived on the South Side of Chicago.  (Applause.)  Simple.  We were creative like that.  (Applause.)  Southside’s home was the headquarters for every special occasion.  And my mom being one of seven children, you can imagine there was always some kind of special occasion going on -- birthday, anniversary, some achievement we were celebrating all the time.  So we were over at Southside’s just about every weekend, packed into his little house, eating those ribs for dinner -- talking and laughing, listening to jazz, playing cards late into the night. 

And then, when we could barely keep our eyes open, Southside would jump up and ask, “Anybody want cheeseburgers and milkshakes?”  He didn't want us to leave.  Then we’d have another full meal at 10, 11 o’clock at night.  So for me, many of my best memories from childhood center around food. 

And while we may have grown up in different communities with different cultures and traditions, I know that’s true for so many of you as well.  For me, it was Southside’s ribs.  Maybe for you it was Abuela’s tortillas or Tia’s arroz con pollo.  In my community, it was mac and cheese at church dinner.  For you, it might have been arroz con gandules.  (Applause.)  For us, Christmas meant a honey-baked ham.  For you, maybe it was tamales.  (Applause.)

And I’m guessing that like me, some of you grew up in families that didn’t have a whole lot of money.  So you understand, like I do, that when you’re just getting by, sometimes food is all you’ve got.  So maybe you can’t afford that nice pair of sneakers or those music lessons that your kids are begging for, but maybe you can spring for a cheeseburger from the drive-thru or bake that favorite dessert.  In other words, when you always have to say no to your kids, sometimes it feels good to at least be able to say yes to food. 

And back when we were growing up, that way of life was actually sustainable, because while we may have eaten way too much Saturday or Sunday, Monday through Friday, we ate reasonably well, mainly because money was tight.  We couldn’t afford to have dessert with every meal.  You were not allowed to snack in between meals -- didn't have the money, didn't have the food.  More importantly, the meals themselves were pretty healthy. 

Think about those fresh greens and beans that were the foundation of southern cooking -- vegetables that often came straight from the garden.  Think about the fresh frutas that many of you grew up eating.  And on top of that, think about how active we all were back then -- running around all day, walking to and from school all day.  Yes, to the young people, we had to walk to school.  (Laughter.)  A lot of walking going on.  And we all had to attend P.E. classes that were required in school.

But times have changed.  And today, a lot of folks don’t have access to fresh food in their communities.  In fact, Hispanic neighborhoods have roughly one-third as many chain supermarkets as other communities have.  And a lot of folks are working longer hours, working harder than ever before just to make ends meet.  So instead of making home-cooked meals, it’s often easier to head to the drive-thru or pop something in the microwave. 

And as for physical activity, consider these statistics:  Compared to white parents, nearly five times more Hispanic parents report that safety is a barrier to their kids being active.  And Hispanic kids ages nine to 13 are only half as likely to participate in organized physical activity outside of school.   

Sadly, all these changes in how we live and eat are having a devastating effect on our children’s health.  Right now, nearly 40 percent of Hispanic children in this country are overweight or obese.  Nearly 50 percent are on track to develop diabetes -- 50 percent, half of our kids -- a disease that is already far too common in so many of our communities. 

So while food might be love, the truth is that we are loving ourselves and our kids to death.  So we need to step up.  We need to own this as a serious problem in our communities.  We need to admit that what we’re doing simply isn’t working anymore.  And we need to start questioning the behaviors and beliefs that are making our kids sick -- like that uncle, dear uncle who dismisses this issue, but keeps slipping our kids candy; the grandmother who insists that a chubby baby is a healthy baby; the overworked sister who gives your nieces and nephews the foods they want instead of the nutrition they need.  Because times have changed, and the way we live and eat has to change, too. 

Now, that doesn’t mean doing away with the traditions that make us who we are.  Grandpa doesn’t have to forsake his ribs.  Abuela doesn’t have to stop making that tres leches that everyone loves.  Special occasions call for special foods.  And treats, children, are an important part of childhood.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm not a treat hater.  (Laughter.)  They matter for adults as well.  

For example, I eat a balanced diet and I work out every single day of the week with very few exceptions.  But let me tell you something, while I am here in New Orleans today -- (laughter) -- everyone understand there is no way I am leaving this city without a good meal.  No way.  Not happening.  (Applause.) 

We don’t have to completely deprive ourselves to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Instead, it’s about striving for balance and moderation, doing our best to eat right and stay active in between the special occasions.  And it’s about empowering families with the information and resources they need to make healthy choices for their kids.

And that’s why, three years ago, we launched Let’s Move, as Janet said, a nationwide initiative to help all of our kids grow up healthy.  And since then we have seen folks from every sector of our society, including many of you, stepping up to be a part of this movement.  Organizations like NCLR have helped launch our MiPlato initiative to teach families about healthy eating.  And companies like Goya are promoting that initiative.  Yes!  Yes!  (Applause.)  We are grateful and proud.

And many other major American businesses like Walmart and organizations like the Food Trust, which is working right here in New Orleans, are bringing fresh food into our communities.  Restaurants are offering healthier menus.  Mayors throughout the country are refurbishing parks and playgrounds.  And we are bringing healthier breakfasts, lunches and vending machines into our school cafeterias.  (Applause.)  Yes, indeed.

We are finally starting to see some results, as childhood obesity rates are beginning to drop in cities and states all across this country.  (Applause.)  We’re making progress, thanks to all of you.

And while we still have a long way to go, the good news is that right now, we have everything we need to reclaim our children’s health -- that is, if we’re willing to step up and continue to do our part in our own families and communities.  And that starts by using our power as consumers to hold companies responsible for the food they make and how they market it to our kids.

In 2008 alone, companies spent well over half a billion dollars on food, beverage and restaurant ads in Latino media markets -- many of them for unhealthy products.  And those of us with kids who have seen our kids begging and pleading for something they saw on TV, we know just how persuasive these ads can be.  So we all know that the food industry has some serious work to do when it comes to how they market food to our kids.  But here’s the thing -- ultimately, we all have the power to decide whether or not to actually buy those foods.  And today, the Latino community’s buying power is more than one trillion dollars -- you hear me?  Trillion with a “t” -- (applause) -- and it’s expected to increase to $1.5 trillion by 2015. 

So make no mistake about it, with the choices that you make, you all could completely transform the marketplace.  You all have the power right now, today.  So when companies step up and provide healthy choices, we all need to step up and actually take advantage of those choices.  Because let me tell you something, Goya can produce low-sodium products, but if we don’t buy them, they will stop selling them.  Restaurants can offer healthy meals, but if we don’t order them, trust me, they will take that stuff off the menu, go back to the way it was. 

In the end, we create the demand for these products and it’s up to us to demand quality, affordable food that is good for our kids.  But it’s on us.  (Applause.)

But while making the right choices in the store and off the menu is critical, it’s not enough.  Because we all know that if we truly want to raise healthy children, we need access to quality, affordable health care -- including the regular checkups and screenings our kids need to stay healthy.

And again, that was true in my own family, raising my girls. When my girls were little, I was diligent about taking them to every single one of their well-child visits right on time, where their growth was tracked on a regular basis.  And it was during one of these visits when our pediatrician pulled me aside and told me that I better make some changes if I wanted my daughters to grow up healthy.  And let me tell you, that was a real wakeup call for us, because, as a family, when we looked at ourselves, we weren’t eating as well as we should have.  And let me tell you, we listened to our pediatrician and we made those changes.

And I share this story because I think it helps to illustrate the importance of health reform, which will ensure that people have access to the preventative care needed to keep their families healthy -- (applause) -- things like nutrition counseling, diabetes testing, and so much more.

But let’s be clear, simply passing the Affordable Care Act was not the goal.  The goal is to get folks to sign up for the insurance so they have the care they need to stay healthy.  And as leaders in our communities, we are going to need your help to make this happen. 

And I know that you all were briefed on this new law by senior administrators at the Health Summit that was held here on Friday.  So here’s what I’m asking you to do.  Are you listening? The minute you get back home from this conference, we need you to get out there and educate everyone you know about what health reform means for them.  And I’m talking about making sure they understand the real facts. 

Tell them that starting October the 1st, they need to sign up for insurance.  Explain to them that the first step in signing up is to create an account, which they can easily do by going to healthcare.gov or cuidadodesalud -- starting on July 31st, just eight days from today.

And we especially need you to reach out to our young people, because they’re the ones who always think they’re invincible.  And we all have someone in our lives -- some wonderful young person, son or daughter, niece, nephew, grandchild, neighbor -- walking around today without any insurance because they don’t think they need it or don’t know where to go and get it.  And we all have the power and the urgent responsibility to get after our young people and get them to sign up.  Because while they may roll their eyes for a moment, we know that when Mama and Abuela speak, they listen.  That's where you come in.  So we need to send them to those websites which have all the information they need about health reform.

This is particularly true for those of you in Texas, Florida and California, because one-third of the young people we need to reach live in those states.  And whether they’re healthy or not, we have got to make sure that our young people understand that regular checkups and preventive care are as much a part of life as brushing their teeth and paying their bills.

Because while many of us may not have had these advantages in our own lives, we now know the difference that health care can make for our children and grandchildren.  We know that good health care is essential to leading longer, healthier, happier lives.   We know better.  And that is one of the greatest gifts we can pass on to our children.  This is a gift.

More than anything else, that is story of the Latino community in this country -- the story of working, and organizing, and sacrificing so that our kids can have something more, something better than we had.  It’s the story of people like Janet Murguia and her family -- the story of parents who never went beyond 7th grade, but who believed in education like a religion, and they pushed their seven children to succeed in school.  They watched them go to college and then graduate school, and then to become lawyers and judges -- including Janet’s twin sister, Judge Mary Murguia, who my husband proudly nominated to the Ninth Circuit in 2010.  (Applause.)

And the story of Latinos in this country is the story of this organization, the National Council of La Raza.  It’s the story of visionary leaders like Raul Yzaguirre, and of so many --(applause) -- yes -- so many people like all of you who have been coming together for 45 years to raise their voices in the service of one simple goal, and that is, as Janet said, “to throw open the doors of the American Dream to everyone.”

And today, as we always do, we need to once again draw on that proud legacy.  We need to once again summon the passion and determination, and use the power of our voices to give our children one of the greatest advantages possible:  the blessing of good health, the energy and the strength and the stamina they need to succeed in their careers, and to raise families of their own, and to have opportunities we’ve never dreamed of for ourselves. 

That is how we will ensure that our children and grandchildren can fulfill their boundless promise.  And that is how we will realize the promise of this country, this great country, for all of its people.

So, are you all ready to get to work?  (Applause.)  We’re going to need you.  And I want to thank you again.  Thank you for everything that you are doing, everything that you will continue to do.  And I look forward -- really look forward to working with all of you in the months and years ahead. 

Que Dios los bendiga.  God bless.  (Applause.)

END
12:22 P.M. CDT

Remarks by the President at an OFA Event

Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Washington, D.C.

7:45 P.M. EDT
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody!  (Applause.)  Hello, OFA!  (Applause.)  Thank you.  All right, everybody, sit down, sit down.  Thank you.  You get me embarrassed.  (Laughter.)  It is good to see all of you.  (Applause.)  I miss all you guys.  I miss you.  (Applause.)  I miss you. 
 
First of all, can everybody please give Bill a big round of applause for the great introduction and the great work he’s done.  (Applause.)  So proud of him. 
 
I want to thank our outstanding partners, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, for being here -- (applause) -- and our outstanding Democratic Leader in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, for being here.  (Applause.) 
 
But mainly, I just wanted to see all you guys -- (laughter) -- and say hey. 
 
AUDIENCE:  Hey! 
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Michelle says hey. 
 
AUDIENCE:  Hey!
 
THE PRESIDENT:  The girls, they went out to camp.  (Laughter.)  We’re a little lonely at home right now.  (Laughter.)  But Bo is still there.  Bo says hey.  (Laughter.)
 
And it’s wonderful just to see all of you from all across the country.  I know you guys have all been working hard today, all kinds of training, all kinds of new ideas.  Everybody is sharing approaches to how we get folks involved in our democracy and our country.  And I could not be prouder of not just the work that you did before the campaign and during the campaign, but more importantly, the work that you’re doing now after the campaign.  It’s inspiring to me.  (Applause.) 
 
And I had a chance to see some of your fellow organizers backstage and talk to them, and it just reminded me of what an incredible cross-section of people we have involved, from rural areas and big cities, educators, business people -- folks who are just committed to making sure that the promise of America is not just left to the professionals here in Washington, because that can cause problems -- (laughter) -- but that folks all across the country are consistently involved and engaged and offering their ideas, and pushing and prodding the political system to make sure it’s responsive to families.
 
And since I first ran for office, I’ve always said that running for office is not just about getting elected.  I believe in winning; winning is good.  (Laughter.)  But you run for office and you win so that you can actually get things done.  It’s the beginning and not the end of a process.  It puts you in a position to then deliver on behalf of the folks that you’re fighting for. 
 
And I ran in 2008 and I ran in 2012 because I believed that America was forged out of this basic bargain -- the idea that if you’re willing to work hard, if you’re willing to put in the effort, if you’re willing to sacrifice and make hard decisions and delay gratification, that if you do all those things, you can make it here in America, regardless of where you come from, what you look like, who you love, what your last name is.  That was the idea behind the first campaign, and that was the idea behind everything I did after I was President.
 
And the good news is because of the work that we’ve been able to do together, and more importantly thanks to the grit and determination of the American people, we have made enormous progress over the last five years.  Things have changed for the better, just like we sought to bring about when we worked so hard back in 2007 and 2008. 
 
But now we’ve got to keep the momentum going.  In some ways, what we’ve done is clear away the rubble of this incredible crisis that we went through.  And now the challenge is to get back to the first order of business:  the challenges that were facing families even before the financial crisis and the Great Recession hit. 
 
And we’ve gotten back on level ground, but now we’ve got to keep climbing, we’ve got to keep going -- because there are still too many of our friends and our neighbors and family members who are out there hurting, who are still struggling, who are still treading water.  The ground beneath our feet is a little firmer than it was, but we’ve got a long way to go before middle-class families feel secure and before those who are willing to strive to get into the middle class have more ladders or opportunity.
 
So our businesses have created, for example, 7.2 million jobs over the last 40 months.  Fastest job growth that we’ve seen since 1999 -- (applause) -- which is good.  But way too many folks out there are still looking for work.  And for those who were lucky enough to have a job, wages and incomes are still flat-lined, whereas for the top 1 percent, they’re still seeing massive increases in their wealth and incomes.  So we’ve got growing inequality in our society and a continued sense of insecurity when it comes to ordinary families.
 
We’ve seen record numbers of people go to college.  But every young person you meet, they talk about the incredible debt burdens that they’re carrying as soon as they graduate, and they wonder whether or not they’re going to be able to pay it off given their employment prospects. 
 
We’ve seen health care costs decline -- or health care inflation decline since we put the Affordable Care Act into place.  But a lot of those savings still haven’t been enjoyed by a lot of ordinary families; haven’t been passed onto workers.
 
And so across the board, we’ve made progress but we haven’t yet delivered on restoring fully that basic bargain that we believed in -- the idea that if you act responsibly, you’re willing to work hard, that you can make it.
 
So because we’ve got a lot more work to do, on Wednesday I’m going to go back to Galesburg, Illinois.  We got any Illinoisans here?  (Applause.)  All right.  Folks in the house from Illinois.  What, they didn’t give you any seats, the people from Illinois?  (Laughter.)  What’s going on here?  But we’re going to Galesburg, Illinois.  And the reason is, we’re going back to Knox College, which is one of the places where I gave my first -- it’s the place where I gave my first big speech after I had been elected to the U.S. Senate.  And this was back in 2005, and I talked at that time about the building blocks that we needed to put into place -- the foundation, the cornerstones that we needed to make sure that the American Dream is alive and well.
 
And I’m going to talk about where we need to go from here; how we need to put behind us the distractions and the phony debate and nonsense that somehow passes for politics these days, and get back to basics, refocus on what it is that everybody is talking about around the kitchen table, what people are talking about day to day with their families.  And it’s going to be the kickoff to what is essentially several months of us trying to get Washington and the press to refocus on the economy and the struggles that middle-class families are going through, but also for us to start exploring some big and bold ideas, some of which I’ve offered in the past, some of which will be new but allow us to consistently, steadily make progress. 
 
Now, here’s the thing -- it will be a pretty good speech.  (Laughter and applause.)  But as we’ve learned -- I’ve given some pretty good speeches before -- (laughter) -- and then things still get stuck here in Washington, which is why I’m going to need your help.  We had close to 20 million people who were involved in the last campaign.  Think about that -- close to 20 million people.  We had 4 million people actively contribute in $5 or $10 or $25 increments to the campaign.  And let’s face it, some of those folks, they just wanted to have dinner with George Clooney -- I understand that.  (Laughter.)  But some of them -- most of them, I like to think -- (laughter) -- did so because they believed in the mission and the cause of making sure that we’re restoring a sense of what America can be and that we’re passing it onto the next generation. 
 
So one of our challenges -- and I know what you’ve been talking about all day -- is how do we keep people involved.  And naturally, it’s not going to be as full of razzmatazz as a campaign.  First of all, we don’t have a billion of dollars to spend.  (Laughter.)  Second of all, there’s just something very clear about a campaign and an election date and voting and targeting. 
 
Nevertheless, in some ways this stuff is more important.  And that’s where all of you come in.  How are we going to make sure that we’re engaging all the people that we touched during the course of the campaign in this central question of creating and building a rising, thriving, active, growing middle class. 
 
And that’s why we’ve been mobilizing people on a whole range of other issues.  It’s the reason why we’re going to need you to continue to stay involved to get immigration reform across the finish line -- because now is the time for us to get comprehensive immigration reform done.  (Applause.) 
 
It’s the reason why we’re going to need you to stay involved when it comes to climate change and making sure that we are passing on the kind of planet to our children and our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren that is sustainable.  (Applause.)
 
It’s why we’ve continued to have you guys get so active on the Affordable Care Act, because starting on October 1st, we are going to be able to sign up people for these marketplaces that are going to give people a square deal when it comes to their health insurance.  But we can only do it with you.  (Applause.)
 
So we’ve got to get folks activated and involved.  And, ultimately, what you do day to day, away from the TV cameras, that’s what is going to make a powerful difference.  In the same way that Bill used some of the skills that he learned during the campaign to now organize around wildfires and environmental issues in Colorado, hopefully all of you have taken away something from your involvement and made it manifest throughout communities all across the country.  We need you to keep on doing that.  That’s the essence of citizenship.  If nothing else, that’s what the campaign was about.
 
And I always remind people, I’ve run my last campaign.  Michelle is not sorry about it.  (Laughter.)  I’ve got a little over 1,200 days left in office.  I am going to spend every waking minute of every one of those days thinking about and then acting upon any good ideas out there that are going to help ordinary Americans succeed, that are going to make sure that the next generation believes in the American Dream because they’ve seen it in their own lives.  That’s how I’m going to spend my time.  I hope that’s how you’re going to spend your time.  (Applause.)  Because if you do, I guarantee you we will continue to make progress and we will deliver on everything that we talked about in 2008 and 2012.  (Applause.)
 
Thank you very much, OFA.  I love you guys.  Keep it up!  Keep it up!  (Applause.)  Are you still fired up? 
 
AUDIENCE:  Fired up!
 
THE PRESIDENT:  All right.  (Applause.)
 
END
7:59 P.M. EDT

Remarks by Vice President Joe Biden on Asia-Pacific Policy

George Washington University
Washington, D.C.

1:34 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, folks.  Thank you for your patience.

I’d like to begin by thanking -- Mr. President, thank you for offering the venue here at GW.  You’re always generous, and we appreciate it a great deal.  And I was -- it’s terrible being dated.  I was -- I did speak the first year that the Center for American Progress was inaugurated, and here I’m speaking at the 10th anniversary.  And the amazing thing is they're still going; that's having me speak there first. 

But, Neera, thank you.  We miss you.  And, Rich, thank you as well.  And to the ambassadors who are here, thank you very much.  I’m honored that you’d take the time.

Today I want to talk to you about why and how we are pursuing our announced policy of elevated engagement in the Asia-Pacific, and where I believe -- we believe -- that policy is headed.

When President Obama and I came to office, to state the obvious, we inherited two wars.  And it was costing us in blood and treasure and time.  And we knew we had to end both those wars responsibly.  We’ve done that in Iraq, and we’re doing that as I speak in Afghanistan.  We’ll obviously continue to be engaged in both places.  And of course we’ll continue to take the fight to Al Qaeda and its affiliates there or wherever they are.  But winding down those wars has allowed us to turn to the opportunities that reflect the realities of a fast-changing world. 

We ask ourselves two things in the review of how to proceed:  Where should we focus additional attention and resources that would enable us to create greater opportunity at home and generate greater growth -- economic growth -- around the world?  And where must we make strategic investments that are required to enhance not only our security but global stability?

Both -- I say to the ambassadors -- both pointed to the Asia-Pacific.

In terms of economics, the Asia-Pacific region —- stretching from India to the Pacific nations of the Americas -— is home to a middle class of about a billion people.  Some of the fastest growing growth rates in the world are within that region.  Emerging markets whose choices will shape the character of the entire global economy are within that purview. 

So we reached out.  We reached out to deepen economic ties and promote open markets and a rule-based competition for the 21st century. 

We finished a free-trade agreement with South Korea, as well as deals with Panama and Colombia.  We launched negotiations on a new Trans-Pacific Partnership that will connect diverse -- economies as diverse as Singapore and Peru.  We’ve worked toward a more constructive economic relationship with China, including through the Strategic and Economic Dialogue.  And I opened the fifth round of that dialogue just last week. 

In terms of security, we undertook a major strategic review at the Defense Department and with our security personnel on how to assess how our global posture and where do we need to evolve to match the moment. 

In the Asia-Pacific, we saw a region of remarkable promise, but also genuine uncertainty and political risk.  Many nations have experienced rapid economic transformation that has fundamentally created a new dynamic:  rising ambitions and rising tensions.  But the rules and norms that could provide predictability to deal with both those changes, the order needed remained incomplete.

We are focused on the risks of disruptions of commerce, proliferation, human disasters, conflict between nations and the persistent threat posed by North Korea.

So we set about doing several things:  first of all, strengthening our alliances; deepening security partnerships and investing like never before in regional institutions to help manage disputes peacefully.

President Obama adopted a new Defense Strategic Guidance endorsed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff after months of study that elevates our focus in the Asia-Pacific area.

And economically and strategically it’s clear why the United States had to rebalance -- to direct more resources and attention toward the Asia-Pacific region.

Because imagine what can happen if growing Asia-Pacific middle classes help lift the global economy even more than they already are; if nations reject the temptations of zero-sum thinking and rise peacefully together; if progress toward greater rights and freedoms proves that no country has to make a choice between democracy and development, which is a false choice.

Let me put it slightly differently:  Just imagine what will happen if those things don’t come to pass.  We’ll all be in a world of trouble.  So we’re all in, this administration.  Absolutely committed to this rebalance.  The President is absolutely committed, and so am I.  And so is our entire national security and economic teams.

And you don’t need to look any further than my own recent engagement to understand the breadth and scope of the rebalance.  I’m traveling to India next week.  Twenty, even 10 years ago, some might have suggested that India be left out of discussions about the Asia-Pacific.   

One of the reasons why President Obama called our relationship with India “a defining partnership of the century ahead” is that India is increasingly looking east as a force for security and growth in Southeast Asia and beyond.

To us that's welcome news.  We encourage it.  We welcome India’s engagement in the region, and we welcome its efforts to develop new trade and transportation links by land and by sea in the area.

I’ll also visit Singapore, a country of 5 million people, that has become the 17th-largest economy in the world, a partner in the TPP and an important player in Southeast Asia and beyond. 

The reasons President Obama has put particular focus on Southeast Asia:  ASEAN now represents a $2 trillion economy of 600 million people.  There is more American investment in Southeast Asia than in China.  Southeast Asian nations like Singapore and Indonesia have become important partners on everything from counter-proliferation to counter-piracy.  That’s why I’m going to Singapore. 

And, of course, at the core of our strategy in the region are our alliances:    Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand.

Across the board in these alliances, we’re at a high water mark in terms of cooperation between our leaders -- both military and political -- and the support of our people.  

Closer to home, our intensified engagement within the Western Hemisphere is also part —- not just parallel to -– our overall rebalancing policy. 

You see that very concretely in the Trans-Pacific Partnership which includes five countries in the Western Hemisphere.  You can also see it in the initiatives within the Hemisphere like the Alliance for the Pacific -- a new group of free-market-oriented countries that are integrating their economies and looking west for trade and investment.

As I said in a speech not long ago, for the first time, at least the first time I can remember, I believe the first time in history, it’s possible -- it’s not Pollyannaish -- to envision an America -- an Americas that is middle class, secure and democratic from northern Canada to the tip of Chile and everything in between.  There’s much work to be done, but that is within reach. 

That kind of Americas connected economically, strategically and through common values can make a great contribution to a more prosperous and secure Pacific. 

That’s one of the reasons why President Obama recently visited Mexico and Costa Rica.  That’s why I was recently in Colombia, Thailand [sic] and Brazil in May and will return to the region this fall.  So what does all this add up to?

Our goal is to help tie Asia-Pacific nations together –- from India to the Americas -— through strong alliances, institutions and partnerships.

For the past 60 years, the security we provided has enabled the region’s people to turn their talents and hard work into an economic miracle.  And now, we want to hasten the emergence of an Asian-Pacific order that delivers security and prosperity for all the nations involved.

In short, we want to help lead in creating the 21st century rules of the road that will benefit not only the United States, and the region, but the world as a whole.  The lifeblood of the region, to state the obvious, is economic development.  But growth has slowed in India, China and many places in Asia.  And each country faces distinct and different challenges. 

But from our perspective, the way forward is fairly clear.  To spark new growth, there has to be:  fewer barriers at and behind our borders; protections for intellectual property to reward innovation; new commitments to make sure everyone plays by the same rules because that’s what attracts investment and jobs; as well as greater economic integration.

That’s what we’re pursuing right now, today in Malaysia as our team negotiates the Trans-Pacific Partnership with countries as diverse as     Vietnam, Chile, New Zealand, Mexico, very soon, Japan, and at which point the group will account for 40% of the world’s GDP.

The TPP has potential to set new standards for collective commitments to fair competition -- on state-owned enterprises, fair competition on investments, labor, the environment, open markets for automobiles and other industries. 

And we firmly believe this will create a strong incentive for other nations to raise their standards, as well, so that they can join.  We’ve already had discussions with some of those very nations both in the Americas as well as in the Pacific.

But not only is this ambitious, this TPP effort of ours, we believe it is also doable.  And we’re working hard to get this done this year.

At the same time, we’re reaching out to the emerging economies of Southeast Asia: partnering with Lower Mekong countries to improve food security, connectivity, water and health; encouraging responsible investments and reforms in Burma; and last fall, the President launched a new initiative for Enhanced Economic Engagement with the ASEAN. 

We are addressing the challenges in our economic relationships with China as well.  They are not at all inconsistent.  We do not view our relationship and future relations with China in terms of conflict or the talk of inevitable conflict.  We view it in terms of a healthy mix of competition and cooperation.  A competition that we welcome.  It’s stamped into our DNA.  We like to compete.  Competition is good for both of us, as long as the game is fair. 

It is clear that the Chinese understand that to reverse their declining growth, there are internal reforms they need to make -- not reforms we’re suggesting they have to make.  They’ve made their own judgment -- judgments if they follow through on them will not only help China in our view, but help the region and the world.  They’ve concluded China needs to shift to a more consumer-driven economy.  They’ve concluded they have to create a market-based, well-regulated financial system.  And they’ve concluded they need to liberalize their exchange rates.  It will be difficult.  It’s difficult internally for them to do that, but I’m convinced they believe -- and we clearly do -- that it’s necessary.

And we are engaging directly with India as it makes some fundamental choices that the Ambassador could speak to more directly than I could about its own economic future.

In the last 13 years, we’ve increased fivefold our bilateral trade, reaching nearly $100 billion.  But if you look at it from a distance, an uninformed person looked at it from a distance, there is no reason, that if our countries make the right choices, trade cannot grow fivefold or more.

Just this week, India announced that it will relax caps on foreign direct investment in certain sectors.  We still have a lot of work to do on a wide range of issues, including the civil nuclear cooperation, a bilateral investment treaty, policies protecting innovation.  There’s a lot of work to do.  But we believe doing -- going with an open mind and listening, as well as making our case, we believe it can be done. 

As we all strive for greater growth, we have to recognize that the impact of climate change also has an impact on growth as well as security.  This is a priority for the President and for me.  America now has the lowest level of carbon emission in two decades.  And we’re determined to move further, and in the process where we can, where our technological capability is available, also help other countries do the same. 

That’s why we’re working with ASEAN to promote investment in clean energy; why we’re helping Pacific island nations mitigate the effects of rising sea levels.  They are rising.  We just concluded an agreement with China to reduce the use of pollutants called HFCs that cause climate change.  And there’s no reason we cannot do more with India as well.  That’s why Secretary Kerry agreed to an enhanced dialogue with India on climate change just last month. 

Look, economic growth may be at the core of all we’re saying.  Economic growth critically depends on peace and stability.  That’s why we have to be -- there have to be 21st century rules of the road not only in the economic sphere, but also with regard to security.

With regard to maritime disputes, it’s critical that all nations have a clear understanding of what constitutes acceptable international behavior.  That means no intimidation, no coercion, no aggression, and a commitment from all parties to reduce the risk of mistake and miscalculation.

My dad, God love him, used to have an expression.  He’d say, Joey, the only war that’s worse than one that’s intended is one that is unintended.  The prospects where they’re so close -- cheek-to-jowl -- for mistakes are real.  So it’s in everyone’s interest that there be freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful commerce, respect for international laws and norms, and peaceful resolution of territorial disputes.

That’s why I encourage China and ASEAN to work even more quickly to reach an agreement on a code of conduct in the South China Sea.  Setting clear rules is the first step to managing these disputes.  And the U.S. has a strong interest in seeing that happen as well.

With regard to North Korea, the one thing I think everyone now agrees on -- we agree that its nuclear and missile programs present a clear and present danger to stability in the area, in East Asia in particular.  That’s why we’re working closely with our allies, Japan and South Korea.  But we’re also working more closely than the 40 years I’ve been engaged with China and with Russia.

In light of North Korea’s recent provocative behavior, we welcome President Xi’s important statement:  achieving a denuclearized Korean Peninsula, as that being a Chinese priority.  Not just something they wish for, but a priority.  We welcome that firm assertion.

Now, North Korea is calling for dialogue.  As my mother would say, I’ve seen this movie before.  (Laughter.)  We’ve been there before.  But we are ready.  We are ready, but only if North Korea is prepared to engage in genuine negotiations.  We will not countenance North Korea’s pattern of provoking a crisis and then insisting they be rewarded in order to cease and desist from the actions they are taking.  We’ve been there before, only to find that once they’re gotten the space or the aid they need, they return to the same provocative, dangerous behavior and continue their nuclear march.

North Korea can have peace and prosperity like the rest of the region, but only without nuclear weapons.  North Korea has a clear choice:  It can choose a better path for its people, or continue down the road they’re on. 

Make no mistake about it, though.  We are open to engaging with any nation that’s prepared to live up to its international obligations.  That’s what we did in Burma.  And I think most would say we’re already seeing some tangible benefits from that engagement. 

So we’ve got a full agenda ahead of us in Asia.  And we’re committed to seeing it through.  But as I travel around the world, and I’m heading to India -- I’m about to cross the 700,000-mile barrier since Vice President, not counting the previous 36 years -- but I hear questions wherever I go, questions in Asia about whether we’re truly committed to this rebalance.  I’ve also heard questions in my recent trips to Europe, with European leaders, about whether or not we’re going to be leaving Europe behind. 

It should be clear on its face, we’re not leaving Europe.  I recently spoke to the European nations, NATO members and EU members, in Munich.  And I said that Europe remains “the cornerstone of our engagement with the rest of the world.”  That is a fact.  We’re not going anywhere. 

As a matter of fact, we’re absolutely convinced that our engagement in the Pacific is in the overwhelming self-interest of Europe.  We’re convinced the combination of new transatlantic economic agreements that we’re now negotiating and the Trans-Pacific Partnership I’ve discussed, they reinforce one another.  They are not at odds with one another.  Together, they’re designed to update and strengthen the global economic rules of the world in the 21st century.

Europe, just like us, will benefit greatly as well from stability in the Pacific, in Asia.  And by the way, there is no reason why we cannot bring greater focus to the Asia-Pacific and keep our eye on the ball in the Middle East.  Folks, that’s what big powers do.  To use the vernacular, we can walk and chew gum at the same time.  That’s what big powers do. 

And there is no evidence that we are taking our eye off the ball -- as we should [sic] in the Middle East, leaving Europe or not intending on following through on our rebalance in the Asia-Pacific area.

Folks, we’re better positioned than any time before to be able to do it all.  I know you’ll think it sounds like a campaign assertion I’ve been making for years, but America is back.  When I was last in China, as I pointed out to the Chinese leadership, it’s never, never, never been a good bet to bet against America.  The resiliency of the American people and the nature of our system -- America is back. 

To paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of our demise are very premature.  Our businesses have created 7.2 million jobs since we’ve taken office.  We’ve gone from losing more than 400,000 jobs a month, over 12 months in 2009, to creating over 200,000 jobs per month thus far this year.  Manufacturing is back -- the biggest increase in manufacturing in nearly 20 years.  And an awful lot of high-tech companies are looking to come home. 

There’s a reason for it.  American workers are incredibly productive -- three times as productive as Chinese workers, to give you one example.  They can be assured their intellectual property will be protected.  We have a transparent court system that will enforce contracts. 

Our deficit is down more than 50 percent as a share of the economy since we took office.  Household wealth -- over $17 trillion in household wealth was lost in the Great Recession we inherited.  It’s all back.  We’re producing more energy from all sources.  We now have over 100 years’ supply of natural gas that would enable us to meet every single need we have in America -- energy need for the next 100 years.  We’re the largest natural gas producer in the world -- another reason why companies are coming back.  The cost is a third to a fifth of what it is around the world.

We are prepared to help other countries as well.  Our oil imports are the lowest they’ve been in the last 20 years.  And I believe -- if my colleagues from abroad will forgive me, I believe we remain the most innovative country in the world. 

But I also think, folks, that the rest of the world understands why this is happening, and it’s not just the good fortune of having shale gas or having two oceans, et cetera.  I think it’s because of the enduring strength of our people and of our system.  For all our difficulty in education for our children, they’re still taught to challenge orthodoxy.  No one in America is diminished or punished for challenging orthodoxy. 

It’s the only way there can be a breakthrough, is to challenge orthodoxy -- where competition is fair; where people have a right to express their views, practice their religion, and decide their future.  These are universal values.  They’re not unique to Americans.  I believe there is no Asian exception to the universal desire for freedom. 

And the issues that young people are seized with all across Asia and the world -- corruption, land rights, pollution, food and product safety -- these are all fundamentally linked to openness and transparency, to greater rights and freedom.

In my humble opinion, no nation has to adopt the exact system we have.  That’s not what I’m suggesting at all.  But it’s awful hard to be innovative where you can’t breathe free.  It’s awful hard to make significant technological breakthroughs where orthodoxy is the norm. 

In my humble opinion, the very things that made us such a prosperous, innovative and resilient nation -- our openness, our free exchange of ideas, free enterprise and liberty -- all of which have their downsides, as we’ve recently seen in Boston and other places -- they have downsides -- but we would not trade them for all the world. 

Presumptuous for me to say, because you never tell another leader what’s in their interest, never tell another country what they should do.  But I believe these elements are the fundamental ingredients for success for any nation in the 21st century.

There was that famous line by the founder of Apple, when asked at Stanford, what do I have to do to be more like you?  And his response was, think different.  You can only think different where you can think freely, where you can breathe free air.

So let me conclude by saying we see, as Neera said, this is not a zero-sum game.  It’s overwhelmingly in our interest that India continues to grow.  It’s overwhelmingly in our interest that China grows.  It’s overwhelmingly in our interest that the world economy grow.  Because we believe Asia’s success is fundamentally linked to ours.

So the President and I are going to continue to reach across the ocean, both east and west, particularly to the indispensable Pacific nations, to help us shape a prosperous future, for America, for their people, and I would argue for the world. 

Thank you all for being so gracious and listening.  Thank you.  (Applause.) 

                                               END                               2:04 P.M. EDT

Remarks by the President on the Affordable Care Act

East Room

11:30 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you very much.  Thank you so much, everybody.  I want to thank Morgan for that introduction.  And I want to thank all of you for being here.  There are a couple of people that I want to make sure to especially acknowledge. 

First of all, the Leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives and somebody who worked harder than just about anybody to get the Affordable Care Act into law, Nancy Pelosi.  (Applause.) 

We have some outstanding members of Congress here, some mayors and elected officials who are here.  I want to give a special shout-out -- I’m not going to introduce all of them because it would take too much time and I might miss somebody.  But there is one person who’s standing in front -- sitting in front, who I want to acknowledge just because he has served for decades, and for decades fought to make sure that everybody had affordable, accessible coverage, and we’re so proud of him -- John Dingell.  (Applause.)  Congressman from Michigan.  (Applause.)

So I want to welcome everybody to the White House.  Every day, across the country and certainly here in the White House, there are people who are working as we speak to implement the Affordable Care Act and to deliver the security of quality, affordable health care to more Americans. 

The good news is that starting October 1st, new online marketplaces will allow consumers to go online and compare private health care insurance plans just like you’d compare over the Internet the best deal on flat-screen TVs, or cars or any other product that is important to your lives.  And you’re going to see competition in ways that we haven’t seen before.  Insurance companies will compete for your business.  And in states that are working hard to make sure this law delivers for their people, what we’re seeing is that consumers are getting a hint of how much money they’re potentially going to save because of this law.  In states like California, Oregon, Washington, new competition, new choices, market forces are pushing costs down.

Just yesterday, state officials in New York announced that average premiums for consumers who buy insurance in their new marketplace will be at least 50 percent lower next year than they are today.  Think about that -- 50 percent lower.  (Applause.)  So for people like Morgan who are self-employed, who have to buy on the individual market, they’re suddenly going to see opportunities not just for the rebates we discussed, but also for even greater savings in their monthly premiums. 

So if you already buy insurance on the individual market, meaning that you don’t get insurance through a big group plan through your employer, that could mean thousands of dollars a year that can go towards paying a mortgage, or putting a kid through college, or saving for retirement.  And what this means is that hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who don’t have insurance will finally be able to afford it -- because these exchanges, this big pool is going to reduce the cost, and you may qualify for health care tax credits; middle-class families will potentially qualify for these credits that will bring the cost down even more. 

So this is just an example of how the Affordable Care Act is doing what it’s designed to do:  deliver more choices, better benefits, a check on rising costs, and higher quality care.  That's what it was designed to do, and we’re already seeing those effects take place.

Now, I mention all this because yesterday, despite all the evidence that the law is working the way it was supposed to for middle-class Americans, Republicans in the House of Representatives voted -- for nearly the 40th time -- (laughter) -- to dismantle it.  We’ve got a lot of problems in this country, and there’s a lot of work that Congress needs to do:  get a farm bill passed, get immigration reform done, make sure we’ve got a budget in place that invests in our children and our future.  And yet, instead we’re refighting these old battles.  (Laughter.)  Sometimes I just try to figure out why.  Maybe they think it’s good politics.  But part of our job here is not to always think about politics.  Part of our job here is to sometimes think about getting work done on behalf of the American people, on behalf of the middle class and those who are striving to get into the middle class.  (Applause.)

And so the progress that we’re seeing in California and Washington and Oregon and now New York, that's progress that we want to make sure we’re seeing all across the country.  Because there are still millions of people out there who not only want to get health insurance, but many who have health insurance who deserve a better deal and deserve the kinds of savings that the Affordable Care Act will offer.

Now, if you’re one of the 85 percent of Americans who already have health insurance -- could be through your employer, or through Medicare, or through Medicaid -- you already have an array of new benefits in place.  You don't have to wait until October 1st.  You’re already getting benefits even if you don't know that it’s because of the Affordable Care Act.  You’re getting better protections.  You’re getting more value for each dollar that you spend on your health care. 

And that last point -- the issue of getting better value for your buck -- is what I want to focus on today.

For years, too many middle-class families saw their health care costs go up and up and up, without much explanation as to why or how their money was being spent.  But today, because of the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies have to spend at least 80 percent of every dollar that you pay in premiums on your health care -- not on overhead, not on profits, but on you. 

Now, many insurance companies are already exceeding this target, and they’re bringing down premiums and providing better value to their customers.  But those that aren’t now actually have to reimburse you.  If they’re not spending your premium dollars on your health care -- at least 80 percent of it -- they’ve got to give you some money back. 

Last year, millions of Americans opened letters from their insurance companies -- but instead of the usual dread that comes from getting a bill -- (laughter) -- they were pleasantly surprised with a check.  In 2012, 13 million rebates went out, in all 50 states.  Another 8.5 [million] rebates are being sent out this summer, averaging around 100 bucks each.  And for families like Morgan’s that are working hard, every dollar counts.  It makes a difference.   

As she said during her introduction, she’d been buying insurance on the individual market in Maryland for years.  After she got a rebate for the first time -- and I’m quoting Morgan now -- she said, “It felt like someone was actually being held accountable for the dollars I was spending on health care.”  That’s one of core principles of the Affordable Care Act -- holding insurance companies and providers accountable so that we all get a better deal. 

Dan Hart, who’s here, from Chicago, had read these rebates were happening.  But he didn’t think anything of it until he got a check in the mail for $136.  And Dan is a father of two, and as any parent will tell you, those kids, they suck up a lot of money.  (Laughter.)  Am I right?  (Laughter.)  Absolutely.  So he used his rebate to pay some bills. 

Rick Shewell and Claudia Diamond co-own a stationary store in Arlington, Virginia.  They knew about the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, but, Rick said, “I figured we’d never see the money.”  So it was a complete surprise when they got a rebate for $320 -- put that money right back into their small business.

And this is happening all across the country, and it’s happening because of the Affordable Care Act.  It hasn’t been reported on a lot.  I bet if you took a poll, most folks wouldn’t know when that check comes in that this was because of Obamacare -- (laughter) -- that they got this extra money in their pockets.  But that's what's happening.

Now, even if you don't get a rebate, even if you didn't get a rebate there’s a good chance that these reforms are helping you as well, because one easy way to meet the goal of spending 80 percent of every dollar on care is to charge less for your care.  Now, we've got more work to do to get rising health care costs under control.  And some of the gains that we've made, some of the progress we've made in slowing the rise of health care costs isn't always passed on to workers.  Sometimes companies may keep it and they are charging their employees a higher co-pay or higher deductible, or in some way shifting some costs onto some workers. 

But generally speaking, what we've seen is that health care costs have slowed drastically in a lot of areas since we've passed the Affordable Care Act.  We've got a lot more work to do, but health care inflation is not skyrocketing the way it was.  And because of this new rule, because of the fact that it improves the value of the coverage that you purchase, last year alone, Americans saved $3.4 billion in lower premiums.  That’s $3.4 billion on top of these rebates.

So that’s just one way this law is helping middle-class families.  But it represents everything the Affordable Care Act means for folks who already have insurance:  better benefits, stronger protections, more bang for your buck -- the basic notion that you ought to get what you pay for. 

Now, I recognize that there are still a lot of folks -- in this town, at least -- who are rooting for this law to fail.  Some of them seem to think this law is about me.  It's not.  I already have really good health care.  (Laughter.)  

It’s about the dad in Maryland who, for the first time ever, saw his family’s premiums go down instead of up.  It’s about the grandma in Oregon whose free mammogram caught her breast cancer before it had a chance to spread.  It’s about the mom in Arizona who can afford heart surgery for her little girl now that the lifetime cap on her coverage has been lifted.  It’s about the folks here today who got a little bit of relief. 

And I’m curious -- what do opponents of this law think the folks here today should do with the money they were reimbursed?  Should they send it back to the insurance companies?  Do they think that was a bad idea to make sure that insurance companies are being held accountable?  I know that's not what these folks think. 

So the upshot is the American people deserve a fair shot.  They expect businesses to play by a fair set of rules.  And that’s why this fight is so important.  Our broken health care system threatened the hopes and the dreams of families and businesses across the country who feared that one illness or one accident could cost them everything they’d spent a lifetime building.  And step by step, we’re fixing that system. 

It’s hard.  This is a big country, and the health care industry is massive and there are tons of providers.  And so as we implement, there are going to be glitches and there are going to be certain states that for political reasons are resisting implementation.  And we're just steadily working through all that stuff.

The same was true when Medicare was started.  The same was true when Social Security got started.  There were folks who, for political reasons, resisted implementation.  But once it got set up, people started saying, this is a pretty good deal; it gives me a little more security.  It’s part of that basic bargain that if you work hard, if you're doing the right thing, that you can get ahead in this country -- and that you can provide some basic protections for your family.

And health care is at the heart of it; it’s part of it.  Affordable health care is not some privilege just for the few.  It’s a basic right that everybody should be able to enjoy.

So we're going to keep fighting to secure that right -- to make sure that every American gets the care that they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford.  That’s the America we believe in.  That’s what families deserve.  That’s what we’re going to keep on working to deliver.  We're going to keep on working to make sure many people around this country who are already paying premiums are getting cheaper prices, that the money is being actually spent on their health care, that you're not having to worry about the fine print, and that if you don't have health insurance, you finally are in a position to get some at an affordable price -- to give you and your family the kind of security you deserve.

That's something that everybody should support.  That's not something that should be subject to politics.  If the folks who have been trying to make political hay out of this thing, if they had some better ideas, I've already told them I'm happy to hear them.  But I haven't heard any so far.  (Laughter.)  What I've heard is just the same old song and dance.  We're just going to blow through that stuff and just keep on doing the right thing for the American people.

So thank you very much.  (Applause.)

END
11:47 A.M. EDT