Remarks by the First Lady at Holiday Press Preview

East Room

12:29 P.M. EST

      MRS. OBAMA:  Well, hello, everyone.  Good morning.

      AUDIENCE:  Good morning.

      MRS. OBAMA:  And Happy Holidays.  All right now, it’s Christmas.  I know you guys are in the military and you keep your kids -- but they can scream!  It’s Christmas!   It’s exciting!  They're so disciplined.  (Laughter.)

      Well, it’s good to have you all.  I want to thank you all for joining us today as we kick off the holiday season here at the White House.  And this is a very exciting time here at the White House for me and our family.

      Now, looking around, it’s easy to see and hopefully you guys have gotten to see a little bit, but you’ll get to see more, but you can understand why this is one of my favorite times of the year.  It really is.

      First of all, seeing all you beautiful kids dressed up and looking so smart and pretty and beautiful in your dresses is just so exciting.  But we’ve got -- here at the White House we have 19 Christmas trees in every corner of the White House.  So there are 19 Christmas trees here, right?  So when you walk around you count them, okay, to make sure that I was right.  All right?

      We have a giant Bo made out of pipe cleaners.  Have you all seen that yet?  Well, you’re going to see that.  It’s pretty, pretty shocking.  But it’s very cool and he’s very soft.

      We have 350 pounds of gingerbread house that you’ll get to see that took our wonderful pastry chef Bill Yosses and his team and entire month to create.  It took him a month to make this.  So you guys are going to get to see that.

      We also have some creative stations that we’ll be doing some projects this afternoon.  And I’m going to help, hopefully, if it’s not too messy.

      And over the next few weeks, more than 100,000 people will walk through these halls to enjoy the decorations and get in the holiday spirit.

      And you guys are some of the first families to see the house.  Do you realize that?  Nobody else but our family and our volunteers has seen this yet, so this is a very special day, and we’re glad to have you.

      But in many ways, this is really what the White House is all about.  And I say this all the time.  It’s the “People’s House.”  It’s a place that is steeped in history, but it’s also a place where everyone should feel welcome.  And that's why my husband and I have made it our mission to open up the house to as many people as we can, especially during the holiday seasons.

      So it goes without saying that when you look around, that our family never could have done all of this wonderful decorating on our own.  In fact, we only did a little bit of it.  That's why over the last few days nearly 100 volunteers from all over the country have been working so hard.  They’ve been making all the ornaments that -- many of them that you’ve seen.  They’ve been hanging the lights and transforming these rooms into breathtaking works of art.  And I have to say the house looks more beautiful than it did last year.  It is really something special.

      So I want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped pull this house together -- all of our volunteers, all of the artists, all the planners, all the White House staff.  Every single person in the White House is in involved in turning this house into what you see today.

      And any and everyone who has helped to bring joy to so many people, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the work that you’ve done.  In the end, that spirit of kindness and generosity is really what the holiday season is all about.  And it was the idea behind this year’s theme, which is “Simple Gifts”.  That's the theme this year, “Simple Gifts,” because in the end, the greatest blessings of all are the ones that don't cost a thing -- the time that we spend with our loved ones, the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, and the joy we feel from reaching out to those in need.

      And that's why our holiday decorations this season include a children’s tree, with some beautiful gingerbread ornaments that were decorated by children of our troops.  And hopefully you’ll get a chance to see that, as well.

      We also have a very special Military Appreciation Tree in honor of our men and women in uniform who can’t always spend the holiday season with the people they love the most.  It is the creation of Deborah Mullen, my dear friend and the wife of Admiral Mike Mullen, who has been an incredible advocate for military families and is here with us today.  So, Deborah, I know you hate this, but please stand so that we can thank you.  (Applause.)

      We are also honored to be joined by so many members of the military and their families today, folks who show us every day with their service truly what it means to put others above self.  And as First Lady, I’ve had the privilege of meeting our men and women in uniform on bases and in hospitals and in communities all across the country.  And I say this all the time, but when I make those visits, I come away not just with a sense of pride and gratitude, but also with a sense of awe, both at their courage and their sacrifice and at their commitment to serving their country and their communities.

      That’s what the folks here today are doing with a very special program, “Toys for Tots,” that is run by the Marine Reserves.  Each of them has volunteered their time, collecting and distributing some of the millions of toys that will be delivered to children this year.  “Toys for Tots” is just one example of how our military families are serving our communities and Americans in need all around the country, year-round.

      And I’m thrilled that the White House staff will be supporting their efforts with a toy drive to help make this holiday a little bit brighter for children right here in the D.C. community.  This is the second year that we’ve participated.  So I want to thank you all so much for coming.  I hope that you enjoy yourselves here today.  I want to thank you for your service and your work.  I want to thank your families for the sacrifices you all make, especially our little people who sacrifice just as much as the big people do.  This is your time of year.

      So we wish you guys a happy and healthy holiday season.  We want you to enjoy this day, this time here at the White House.  Have fun.  Moms, they’re going to get a little messy, so just bear with them.  So make sure you have fun.

      And now, I would like to introduce the President and CEO of “Toys for Tots,” Lieutenant General Pete Osman, who is going to share some more of the details about this year’s program.

      So thank you all, and let’s welcome the General.  Thank you so much.  (Applause.)

      GENERAL OSMAN:  Mrs. Obama, let me start off with -- by thanking you so, so much not just for having us here today, but for what you did last year.  For those of you who don’t know, the First Lady last year stepped up and said she really wanted to assist with “Toys for Tots,” and she did.

      I got to tell you that last year we had an incredibly successful campaign.  And there’s no doubt in my mind that the First Lady standing behind it really made it successful.  So, Mrs. Obama, you made a difference.  Thank you very, very much for that.  (Applause.)

      MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you.

      GENERAL OSMAN:  Our First Lady made a difference and certainly as she has pointed out so many times, our military service members today are making a difference, certainly Marines amongst them.

      Marines have an opportunity though to make a difference in a very different way, not only in the protection of our country, but also in helping those less fortunate families and particularly less fortunate children at Christmas time through the “Toys for Tots” program.  Those of you who don’t know it, the Marine Corps has been doing “Toys for Tots” for 63 years.  And over those 63 years, the Marine Corps together with the thousands of volunteers have been able to distribute over 400 million toys to almost 200 million children.  What an accomplishment.

      But it couldn’t be done alone.  It really is the generosity of the American people that make it work.  So I once again appeal to that generosity of our American public to step forward and once again buy that toy, drop it in one of our barrels.  If it’s more convenient, go online to “Toys for Tots” and make that online donation.  It will make a difference.  In fact, a $25 or $30 donation goes a long way in helping a less fortunate child at Christmas time.

      And let me share just a quick story with you that will show you an example of what I’m talking about.

      A couple of years back, there was a wonderful family in D.C. -- Mom, Dad, five kids.  Happy family.  And unfortunately, tragedy struck.  The father took ill and quickly passed away.  The mom, who had been a stay-at-home mom, all of a sudden found herself having to find a job while still raising her five children.  She realized she was going to have to make some tough choices, and she did.  I mean, she had a house payment to make, utilities, food to buy, clothing and all that, and she said, “We’re going to have to cut Christmas this year.”

      Now, she had to make this decision early on, probably in the October time frame.  And she was comfortable with it.  But as Christmas drew nearer and nearer, she became very concerned.  In fact, on Christmas Eve, she was distraught.  She was beside herself with the thought on Christmas morning her children were going to come downstairs and there weren’t going to be any gifts under that little Charlie Brown Christmas tree that they had.

      Fortunately, the knock at the door came, and standing there were two Marines, a couple of volunteers, and a bunch of boxes full of toys.  So needless to say, for the Johnsons the next morning, they had a wonderful Christmas.

      But that’s not the end of the story.  Interesting thing was one of the toys was a big old red fire truck.  And one of her sons really took a liking to that fire truck.  That became his favorite toy that day and for the rest of the next year and actually to years after that.  And as you would have it, that fire truck had an impact.  Today, that man is one of D.C.’s finest.  He’s a firefighter with the D.C. Fire Department.

      So if you don’t think that toy makes a difference, just remember this story.  And the great thing is, is there are thousands of stories just like that out there.

      So I once again ask the American public to dig deep, be the generous Americans that you always are, buy that toy, put it in one of our barrels, make that online donation.  Believe me, it will make a difference.

      Work together with our Marines, our thousands of volunteers, and certainly the First Lady in bringing the joy of Christmas and sending a message of hope to America’s less fortunate children.

      One last thing.  It’s only 24 days ‘till Christmas.  Thank you all very much.  (Laughter and applause.)

      MRS. OBAMA:  Well, we are certainly all going to do our part here at the White House.  And one thing I remember last year -- and just to note -- is that sometimes people forget about the broad range of children in a family.  And oftentimes, I know last year, there were a lot of wonderful toys for the little itty bitty ones, but then there was a gap in toys for kids who were sort of beyond toy age.

      So also, American public, when you’re out there shopping, thing about the cross-section, think about the teenagers, think about the pre-teens.  I know it’s exciting to go out there and buy the cute little toys, and we do that as well, but think about the spectrum as well as you shop.  That’s one thing we focused on here in the First Lady’s office is that segment of the youth population.

      So we know people will turn out this year.  Sounds like people are shopping away out there, and that’s a good thing.  And people should look for these boxes.  Go online.  We urge you to help make the holidays special for every family in this country.

      And to the Marine Reserves, you guys are amazing for what you do, because they do this on top of what they normally do.  There are a lot of good stories in the work that these folks do on this program.  So we’re very grateful to you all, and we’re going to do our part.  So thanks so much.

      And now we have a special surprise for the kids who are here.  I want to bring out three of our amazing White House artisans.  We’ve got Laura Dowling who is our florist, we’ve got Cris Comerford, Bill Yosses, and several of the White House chefs who are going to show us some of their holiday secrets.  You ready to see some secrets?  Want to see how some of the stuff is made?  You think -- are you ready for that?

      CHILDREN:  Yes.

      MRS. OBAMA:  Wait, wait, are you ready for that?

      CHILDREN:  Yes!

      MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, well, parents, you guys can stay here.  I know, they’ll be fine.  (Laughter.)  And breathe a little bit.  And we should bring you some eggnog or something.  (Laughter.)  But kids, if you stand up and follow these guys, right, they’re going to take you over to the room.  I’ll come and meet you guys over there.  And you can learn some of the secrets of how we do things here at the White House.  Okay?  Everybody march.  We’re marching.

      All right, we’ll see you guys over there.

                        END           12:44 P.M. EST

Statement by Vice President Biden on Tomorrow's Anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

“Around the globe, violence against women is an epidemic. Violence robs women and girls of their full potential and causes untold human suffering.  Violence against women impedes economic development, threatens peace and prosperity, and inhibits full participation in civic life. For every woman who has been beaten in her own home, for the millions of women who have been raped as a weapon of war, for every girl who has been attacked on her way to school, for all of the children - girls and boys - who have witnessed this brutality, we must do better.  On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we join with the world community in calling for an end to these abuses. Our Global Development Policy makes clear our commitment to investing in the health, education and rights of women. Today, we are working to reduce gender-based violence in schools, provide care for rape victims, and train health workers. The U.S. government is committed to continuing our efforts to respond to, reduce, and work toward eliminating gender-based violence worldwide.”

OP-ED by Vice President Joe Biden in the New York Times: "What we must do for Iraq now"

Eight days ago, Iraqi political leaders agreed on a framework for a new government to guide their country through the crucial coming years. Since the elections there in March, our administration has said that the Iraqi people deserve a government that reflects the results of those elections, that includes all the major blocs representing Iraq’s various communities and that does not exclude or marginalize anyone. That is what they will now have.

While President Obama and I — and an outstanding team of American officials in Washington and Baghdad — played an active role in supporting this effort, the most important steps were taken in Iraq, by the leaders of Iraq’s largest political parties. Their accomplishment is the latest and strongest evidence of a key development in Iraq: over the past two years, politics has emerged as the dominant means for settling differences and advancing interests.

Time and time again in recent months, Iraqi leaders have painstakingly worked through thorny issues — including disputes over who is eligible to run for office or serve in government, challenges to the election results and power-sharing arrangements — without resorting to violence. It hasn’t always been pretty, but politics rarely is, in Iraq, in America or anywhere else. By agreeing to form a national partnership government, however, Iraqi leaders have sent an unmistakable message to their fellow citizens, their region and the world: after more than seven years of war and decades of dictatorship, Iraqis seek a nation where the rights of all citizens are recognized and the talents of all are harnessed to unlock the country’s full potential.

In a country that still faces enormous challenges on the road to security and prosperity, that goal has never been more essential. The next step is for the leaders of Iraq’s new government to honor their landmark commitment to share power — a pledge embodied in the new National Council for Higher Policies, whose responsibilities and authority are still being determined but will eventually be enshrined into law.

The United States must also continue to do its part to reinforce Iraq’s progress. That is why we are not disengaging from Iraq — rather, the nature of our engagement is changing from a military to a civilian lead.

Since taking office, the Obama administration has withdrawn nearly 100,000 troops from Iraq and ended our combat operations. The 50,000 troops who will remain until the end of 2011 have a new mission: to advise and assist their Iraqi counterparts, protect our personnel and property and participate in counterterrorist operations. Meanwhile, we are establishing a diplomatic presence throughout the country and, under the terms of our Strategic Framework Agreement, building a dynamic partnership across a range of government sectors, including education, energy, trade, health, culture, information technology, law enforcement and the judiciary.

In a country where extremists remain bent on sowing chaos, and where innocent civilians still suffer unspeakable hardship, the transition to a safer society depends on the continued development of Iraq’s security forces, now more than 650,000 strong.

Over the six visits I have made to Iraq since January 2009, I have seen the remarkable progress its police and soldiers have made. Iraq today is far safer and more stable than at any time since the outbreak of war in 2003. More than a year ago, Iraqi forces took charge of security in major cities, and last August, when the American combat mission ended, they assumed primary responsibility nationwide. In recent months, using their own intelligence, Iraqi forces have killed or captured dozens of senior leaders of Al Qaeda in Iraq and other terrorist groups. The weekly tally of violent incidents throughout Iraq has dropped to about 160, from nearly 1,600 in 2007.

Nevertheless, Iraq’s security forces are not yet ready to operate fully on their own, and we must continue to support them. We must also help Iraq’s leaders with a range of challenges that lie ahead: conducting a census; further integrating Kurdish security forces into the Iraqi security forces; maintaining commitments to the Sons of Iraq, the Sunni groups that banded together against insurgents; resolving disputed internal boundaries and the future of the northern city of Kirkuk, which is claimed by both Arabs and Kurds; passing a hydrocarbon law that would distribute oil revenues and maximize the benefit to all Iraqis; stabilizing the economy through foreign investment, private sector development and new sources of revenue beyond oil; passing a fiscally responsible budget; and bringing to a close its post-Gulf war obligations to the United Nations.

While the day will come when Iraq’s vast natural wealth can fully finance its security and investment needs, and when its civilian institutions no longer require such intensive support, it has not yet arrived. Iraq has increased its own spending in these areas, and with sustained American engagement, it will emerge from generations of trauma to become a stable and self-reliant nation.

That is why, even at this difficult economic time, we are asking Congress to fulfill our budget requests to support America’s continued engagement, including our broader diplomatic presence, a modernization plan for the Iraqi security forces and financing for a police development program. The drawdown of American troops will save $15 billion in the coming fiscal year — we seek to direct less than one-third of that amount to provide needed assistance to Iraq’s security forces and to our State Department’s civilian-led efforts.

The Iraq war has cost our nation dearly, with the greatest price of all paid by the 4,430 heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Now it is in America’s fundamental interest to help preserve the gains Iraq has made, prevent the re-emergence of violent extremists and encourage Iraq to become a pivotal American ally in a strategically critical region, and a responsible regional actor in its own right.

Vicepresidente Biden anuncia nuevos programas para ayudar a propietarios de vivienda, veteranos y trabajadores a obtener acceso a servicios legales

WASHINGTON, DC – En un evento hoy del Grupo de Trabajo sobre la Clase Media (Middle Class Task Force) dirigido por el Programa de Acceso a la Justicia (Access to Justice Initiative) del Departamento de Justicia, el Vicepresidente Biden anunció una serie de medidas concebidas para ayudar a familias de clase media y bajos ingresos a proteger sus derechos legales. Estas medidas incluyen mejorar los programas de mediación en caso de ejecución hipotecaria, ayudar a los veteranos a obtener la ayuda legal que necesitan y facilitar que los trabajadores encuentren un abogado competente cuando piensan que se han violado sus derechos.

“En tiempos de dificultades económicas, queremos asegurarnos de que todos los estadounidenses —independientemente de ingresos o situación—tengan acceso a los recursos que necesitan para obtener justicia”, dijo el Vicepresidente Joe Biden. “Los programas que estamos anunciando hoy representan un paso importante hacia ese objetivo y ayudarán a miles de estadounidenses a obtener la ayuda legal que necesitan”.

El anuncio de hoy es la culminación del trabajo del Access to Justice Initiative del Departamento de Justicia y agencias federales como los departamentos de Trabajo, Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano y Asuntos de Veteranos, como también asociados de la comunidad de apoyo y defensa.

“Como fiscal y ex juez, sé que la integridad fundamental de nuestro sistema de justicia y nuestra fe en él dependen de la representación eficaz en ambos lados del tribunal”, afirmó el fiscal general Eric Holder. “Estoy seguro de que con los logros que hemos alcanzado y las próximas medidas adicionales, podemos forjar un sistema de justicia más equitativo y eficaz”.

“Es posible mejorar la vida de muchas personas sin necesidad de grandes inversiones y, es más, con ahorros considerables, si simplemente las ayudamos a beneficiarse de los derechos y beneficios legales que son suyos. Por eso es un honor para el Access to Justice Initiative del departamento trabajar con el Vicepresidente, los departamentos de Vivienda y Trabajo, y la Dirección de Veteranos a fin de que alcancen la justicia”,indicó Larry Tribe, asesor principal de Access to Justice.

Ayuda legal para los trabajadores

El Departamento de Trabajo y el Colegio de Abogados de Estados Unidos (American Bar Association o ABA) anunciaron hoy que colaborarán para ayudar a los trabajadores a resolver las quejas recibidas por la División de Salarios y Horarios (Wage and Hour Division) del Departamento de Trabajo, como no recibir el salario mínimo, sobretiempo o licencia médica familiar. A partir del 13 de diciembre, 2010, en los casos que el Departamento de Trabajo no pueda solucionar, se les dará a quienes hayan presentado quejas el número de llamadas gratuitas del sistema recientemente creado, donde se le pondrá en contacto con un servicio de remisión a abogados aprobados por el ABA si hay abogados participantes en su zona.

Además, si el Departamento de Trabajo ha realizado una investigación, la persona que presente la queja recibirá información sobre las conclusiones para proporcionárselas al abogado que tome su caso, lo que incluirá las infracciones en cuestión y cualquier salario retroactivo que se deba. El Departamento de Trabajo también ha creado un proceso especial para quienes presenten quejas y los abogados que los representen a fin de que obtengan la información pertinente al caso y documentos disponibles.

Declaró la secretaria del Trabajo Hilda Solís, “Los trabajadores de nuestro país merecen compensación total y equitativa, y este gobierno se ha comprometido a asegurar que la reciban. La colaboración que se anunció hoy con la American Bar Association simplifica el acceso por los trabajadores a recursos legales adicionales y aumenta los esfuerzos continuos por el Departamento de Trabajo para asegurar que los empleadores cumplan con las leyes laborales de Estados Unidos”.

Acceso por los veteranos a ayuda legal

Hoy, el Vicepresidente anunció que el Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos y la Legal Services Corporation (LSC) han iniciado una campaña de concientización en los centros comunitarios para veteranos del departamento y proveedores locales de servicios legales de la LSC a fin de ayudar a los veteranos a hacerles frente de mejor manera a disputas legales en campos como ejecución hipotecaria, fraude contra el consumidor y asuntos laborales. La primera fase de esta nueva campaña de concientización ya está en marcha. Los programas financiados por la LSC han ayudado a 51 Centros de Veteranos operados por el Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos en la región del Atlántico medio, Maine y Arkansas a brindar información sobre servicios legales y crear los debidos sistemas de remisión a fin de minimizar la frustración por veteranos en obtener asesoría y representación con problemas legales de carácter civil.

Para apoyar este esfuerzo, la LSC anunció el lanzamiento de un nuevo sitio web, www.StatesideLegal.org,para ayudar a los veteranos a obtener acceso a información por Internet. El sitio se creó para explicar términos legales y militares de manera simple e incluye videos y formularios interactivos para ayudar a los veteranos a velar por sus intereses. La información en el sitio de Internet abarca temas como beneficios por discapacidad, empleo y medidas de protección legal para miembros de las Fuerzas Armadas que enfrentan ejecuciones hipotecarias.

Programas de mediación en caso de ejecuciones hipotecarias

Los programas de mediación en caso de ejecuciones hipotecarias tienen como propósito identificar alternativas al embargo que beneficien tanto a los propietarios de vivienda como a los prestamistas. Hoy, el Vicepresidente anunció una serie de medidas para mejorar estos programas de mediación.

El Access to Justice Initiative del Departamento de Justicia y el Departamento de Vivienda emitieron un informe conjunto que identifica estrategias emergentes para programas eficaces de mediación en caso de ejecuciones hipotecarias, como asesores capacitados sobre vivienda y abogados pro bono que puedan asesorar y apoyar a los propietarios de vivienda durante todo el proceso de mediación. Para ayudar a las jurisdicciones que están creando y expandiendo programas de mediación, el informe describe varias características que tienen un impacto positivo en la eficacia de los programas. El informe también enumera programas existentes de mediación en caso de ejecución hipotecaria que están dispuestos a compartir sus experiencias con otras personas interesadas del programa en todo el país. Para leer el informe, pulse AQUI.

Además, el Departamento de Vivienda anunció un nuevo seminario de capacitación por Internet que destacará estrategias y recursos para evitar las ejecuciones hipotecarias. Dicha capacitación está dirigida a públicos diversos, entre ellos propietarios y asesores de vivienda, abogados y mediadores pro bono. Tratará temas como obtener acceso a recursos de asesoría sobre vivienda, evitar estafas al tratar de prevenir el embargo hipotecario y comprender los programas federales de prevención de ejecuciones hipotecarias.

El Departamento de Vivienda también brindó asesoría sobre el uso de Subsidios Globales para el Desarrollo Comunitario (Community Development Block Grant) y Fondos para la Estabilización de Vecindarios (Neighborhood Stabilization Funds) para asesoría sobre vivienda, un recurso que puede aumentar la eficacia de los programas de mediación en caso de ejecución hipotecaria. Para leer las pautas, pulse AQUI.

Además de esos esfuerzos, en diciembre, NeighborWorks, entidad nacional sin fines de lucro creada por el Congreso y financiada por asignaciones de éste, comenzará a ofrecer talleres de mediación en caso de ejecución hipotecaria en el NeighborWorks Training Institute. Se tiene previsto que participen en el instituto de capacitación más de 2,000 asesores y otros profesionales de entidades sin fines de lucro. NeighborWorks es una de las principales fuentes de fondos para asesoría para la mitigación de ejecuciones hipotecarias y es el administrador del Programa Nacional de Asesoría para la Mitigación de Ejecuciones Hipotecarias (National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program).

Finalmente, la Comisión Federal de Comercio (Federal Trade Commission) anunció hoy una nueva norma y varios operativos para proteger a propietarios vulnerables al fraude cuando tratan de evitar la ejecución hipotecaria. Para leer el comunicado de prensa de la FTC, pulse AQUI.

Para mayor información sobre el Access to Justice Initiative del Departamento de Justicia: www.justice.gov/access.