Author: Lynn Sweet

(photo by Lynn Sweet)
Mrs. Obama delivering speech at Universidad Iberoamericana

Click below for prepared remarks…

AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY***

EMBARGOED UNTIL TIME OF DELIVERY

Remarks of First Lady Michelle Obama
Youth Forum at Universidad Iberoamericana
April 14, 2010

Good afternoon. Thank you so much. Thank you, Jaime, for that very kind introduction.

It is such a pleasure and an honor to be in this beautiful country, at this great university, with so many outstanding young people from all across Mexico.

Let me start by thanking your First Lady, Mrs. Margarita Zavala, for her tremendous kindness to me and my family.

We’ve had a wonderful time together, both here in Mexico and during her visits to the United States – and I look forward to welcoming her and President Calderon to Washington for a state dinner next month.

I also want to recognize the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ambassador Pascual.

And I want to thank the Rector of this school, Dr. Jose Morales Orozco, for his leadership and for hosting me here today.

Finally, I want to thank all the people of this country for your incredible warmth and hospitality on my visit here.

From the moment I arrived, I felt like I was entre amigos – which is only natural given the close and enduring friendship between our two nations.

Mexico is home to more U.S. citizens living abroad than anywhere else in the world – and tens of millions of Americans trace their roots to this country.

For generations, Mexico and the U.S. have been bound together not just by a shared border, but by shared values and aspirations – a devotion to family and faith; a willingness to work hard and sacrifice for our children; a commitment to democracy rooted in struggles for independence that have defined our nations.

So when it came time to decide where to make my first solo international trip as First Lady, the choice was clear: Mexico, por supuesto!

And there’s a reason why I wanted to come here to the Ibero and speak with all of you.

It’s the same reason why, when my husband travels abroad to talk about the challenges we face – from extremism to nuclear weapons; from poverty and hunger to climate change and pandemics – he doesn’t just meet with presidents and prime ministers.

He doesn’t just visit palaces and parliaments.

He goes to schools and universities and meets with young people like you.

This isn’t an accident. Today, we’re seeing what has come to be called a “youth bulge” – an explosion of the youth population in nations around the world.

Here in Mexico, nearly half the population is under the age of 25 – in the Middle East, it’s sixty percent.

And young people between the ages of 15 and 24 alone now make up twenty percent of the world’s citizens – the largest group in history making the transition to adulthood.

And the fact is that responsibility for meeting the defining challenges of our time will soon fall to all of you.

Soon, the world will be looking to your generation to make the discoveries and build the industries that will fuel our prosperity and ensure our well-being for decades to come.

We’ll be looking to your generation to seize the promise of clean energy to power our economies and preserve our planet for your kids and grandkids.

We’ll be looking to your generation to find the courage and patience to resolve the conflicts and heal the divides that plague our world.

And I’m here today because I believe that all of you – and your peers around the world – are more ready than ever to meet these challenges.

More than any generation in history, you all are able to access information and connect with one another in ways that my generation could never have imagined.

With the click of a button, you can exchange thoughts on any issue with people just about anywhere in the world.

You have an unprecedented ability to organize and mobilize to challenge old assumptions, to bridge old divides, and to find new solutions to our toughest problems.

It is because of this immense promise that I intend to focus my international work as First Lady on engaging young people just like you all around the world.

My husband and I know all too well that meeting the challenges we face will depend on whether we effectively tap your God-given potential – whether we fully benefit from the industry, and the energy, and the perspectives of young people from every background and every nation.

We know that ambition and ability are found in every corner of the globe – and the question is, how do we ensure that opportunity is too?

Now, my husband and President Calderon are working hard to rebuild our education systems, and to revive our economies, and to create new opportunities for young people in both our nations.

But leaders and governments can’t shoulder this responsibility alone.

Ordinary citizens must share the responsibility as well – and this includes young people themselves.

And it isn’t enough to just change laws and policies – we must also change our perceptions about who can and can’t succeed.

We must confront wrong and outdated ideas and assumptions that only certain young people deserve to be educated…that girls aren’t as capable as boys…that some young people are less worthy of opportunities because of their religion or disability or ethnicity or socioeconomic class.

Because we have seen time and again that potential can be found in some of the most unlikely places.

My husband and I are living proof of that.

We both came from modest backgrounds. Our families weren’t wealthy. My parents never went to college.

My husband never really knew his father and was raised by a young single mother who struggled to pay the bills.

Like many kids with backgrounds like ours, we faced many challenges: the sting of low expectations; the constant doubts about whether we could succeed – and whether we were even worth the effort.

Back when we were young, no one could have predicted that we would one day become the President and First Lady of the United States of America.

But we were lucky and blessed.

We had families who believed in us, and teachers who pushed us, and universities that saw our potential and gave us scholarships.

And we worked as hard as we could; and we learned as much as we could; and as a result, we were prepared and poised to pursue our dreams.

And our stories are not unique.

They’re the stories of countless young people in Mexico, in the U.S., and around the world who’ve worked hard and defied the odds.

They’re the stories of young people throughout history who’ve succeeded not because of their trust fund, or pedigree, or test scores, but because of challenges that tested and motivated them and made them who they are…and because someone somewhere believed in them – and helped them believe in themselves.

When he was orphaned at a young age, and sought work as a servant, no one could have imagined that Benito Juarez would one day become one of Mexico’s greatest presidents.

But thanks to a Franciscan friar who helped him join a seminary and get an education, he was able to realize his gifts.

One of my country’s greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln, was born in a one-room log cabin in the woods – but was lucky enough to have a teacher who taught him how to write and debate.

Joan of Arc was the daughter of a peasant farmer who tried to persuade anyone who would listen that she could rescue the French army from defeat. And when a prince finally believed her, that’s exactly what she did.

Throughout our world history, it has often been that unlikely hero…that unusual perspective…that improbable journey that has been the key to our progress.

So when we dismiss any of our young people…when we fail to tap their potential…we risk losing their promise.

And think of the inventions and cures that are never discovered…the great works of art and literature that are never created…the great acts of courage and leadership that never grace this world.

But this isn’t just about discovering those few extraordinary folks who will change the course of history.

It’s also about breaking down barriers across the globe so that all our young people can learn and work and be productive members of our societies.

It’s about seeking the perspectives and experiences of young people from every background – the new ideas that make our businesses more productive, our cultures more vibrant, and our governments more open and free.

And in order to do this – in order to open up opportunities for more young people – those of you who already have a seat at the table must do your part to make room for others who don’t.

Young people around the world must reach out to help others realize their talents and make their voices heard.

Now, I understand that in these difficult economic times here in Mexico, in the U.S., and around the world, many people are struggling, and nothing is guaranteed.

And even young people like those of you who have the privilege of attending a university may be feeling a bit uncertain about your future.

Some of you may be worried about whether you’ll be able to build careers of your own.

And you may be tempted to focus solely on your individual success – to take your diploma, get the best job you can, and never look back.

But before you do that, I hope that you’ll think, just for a moment, about the mission statement of this university – to prepare students, and I quote, “…to engage in service to others and develop and spread knowledge to achieve a free, fair, united and productive society…”

I hope you’ll think of those words from the Bible – that to whom much is given, much is required.

And I hope you’ll think of all those who’ve shaped our history by heeding these words.

Imagine if Mahatma Ghandi had led a comfortable existence as a lawyer instead of leading the struggle for the rights of his countrymen and his nation’s independence – work he started when he was in his twenties.

Imagine if Nelson Mandela had chosen a life of leisure as the son of a tribal chief instead of joining the ANC at the age of 24, and enduring decades behind bars to end Apartheid.

Imagine if Mother Teresa had never answered her calling and ventured into the streets of Calcutta to tend to those in desperate need.

Now, I’m not saying that you have to take a vow of poverty or lead a movement.

But I am asking you to do something – whether through your career, or as a volunteer – do something to ensure that other young people have the opportunities they deserve.

That’s what folks like you are doing every day across the globe, and right here in Mexico.

Alberto Salvador from Guanajuato was born deaf and was at first denied admission to elementary school because of his disability.

But he completed high school with high honors, got a degree in the United States, and returned here to Mexico where he mentors deaf children and will soon be starting a job as a teacher.

Mariana Vazquez del Mercado, who’s finishing law school at Universidad Panamericana, spends hours volunteering in a free legal clinic and directs an organization that builds housing for struggling families.

Of her work, she says: “The goal is to show that despite being young, we are sufficiently responsible and aware.”

Alberto Irezabal, who graduated from the Ibero last year, used his service project to help an indigenous community in Chiapas better produce and sell their locally grown coffee.

Of his work, he says: “I believe we have a responsibility to see that our projects succeed, not just for ourselves, but for our country…”

Each and every one of these young people is working to break down barriers and open doors.

Each of them is giving others the chances they’ve had to succeed.

But let’s be clear – I’m not just talking to the university students here today.

I’m also talking to young people here in Mexico, and in the U.S., and around the world who feel like they have no place at universities like this.

I’ve met so many young people in so many places who have so much to offer, but because of where they’re born, or the family they’re born into, or the circumstances of their lives, they begin to doubt themselves.

They begin to feel like they don’t belong, or they’re not prepared, or they won’t measure up – so they shouldn’t even try.

While I was fortunate to have so many opportunities in my own life, I can certainly understand those feelings.

When I first went to college, I was filled with self-doubt.

I was convinced that everyone else was smarter than I was – and I felt like I just didn’t fit in.

But I soon realized that I was just as capable, and had just as much to contribute, as my classmates.

All I needed was a little confidence in myself to make that happen.

Now, it’s true that some of you might have to work a lot harder to get what you want.

You might face more obstacles and setbacks.

But I want you to know that you belong in places like this just as much as anyone else.

You have just as much to offer as anyone else.

And if you believe in yourself – if you refuse to give up – then there is nothing – nothing – you can’t accomplish.

And I hope that all of you, when you encounter hardships, when you start to get discouraged, I hope that you’ll think about young people like you around the world who’ve toiled in laboratories and libraries, in factories and fields – who’ve marched and fought and bled to make our world a better place.

I hope you’ll think about the young people two centuries ago who risked everything they had for Mexico’s independence.

I hope you’ll think about the young people in America who fought to ensure that all citizens, no matter their gender or the color of their skin, were treated equally under the law.

You and I are here today because of them.

And finally, I hope you’ll think about young people like Sonia Kim, who I met yesterday on my visit to Haiti.

Sonia works at the U.S. embassy in Port au Prince. And like so many people in Haiti, she’s been working around the clock on the earthquake relief efforts.

I want to read you an email she sent to my office. This is what she wrote:

“We are exhausted, traumatized and heart-broken. But we choose to stay here and work.

We choose to stay because we love Haiti and its people.

We choose to stay because we believe in our duty to help the people here in their greatest hour of need.

We choose to stay because we believe in our mission.

We choose to stay because we still hold out hope…for recovery and renewal…and for a Haiti built back better than before.”

I hope that every single one of you, and young people all across the globe, will take up that work – the work of helping others in need…the work of building stronger nations and a better world.

Because if we’re going to tackle the challenges of our time – if we’re going to make our world safer, healthier, more prosperous and more free – we’ll need the passion, the daring, and the creativity of every last one of you.

We’ll need you to work as hard as you can, and do as much good as you can, driven by that belief that has always summed up the spirit of our youth – three simple words: Si, se puede – Yes, we can. Yes, we can.

Thank you and God bless you.

Michelle Obama with children in the schoolyard of the Jan. 7 school in the Alvaro Obregon neighborhood in Mexico city. (photo by Lynn Sweet)

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and Mexican First Lady Margarita Zavala in the courtyard of the National Museum of Anthropology (photo by Lynn Sweet)

MEXICO CITY–U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama met for about 45 minutes Wednesday morning with Mexican First Lady Margarita Zavala to talk about drug treatment. This is a sensitive area, since the Mexican government blames the U.S. drug market–the customers–for fueling drug cartel wars in Mexico. The Obama administration will soon be releasing a new policy outlining specific proposals to reduce drug demand in the U.S.

East Wing statement: “The First Lady met with Mrs Margarita Zavala, First Lady of Mexico this morning at Los Pinos, the Mexican presidential residence and offices. The First Ladies discussed a series of issues of importance to young people in both the United States and Mexico, including drug addiction treatment and early prevention programs and the importance of the humane treatment of unaccompanied migrant children. Mrs Obama and Mrz Zavala underscored the importance of engaging families and communities in tackling the challenges facing young people in both countries as a key to helping build a better future for the United States and Mexico.”

MEXICO CITY–First Lady Michelle Obama will take some time during her trip here to give interviews to the reporters covering her visit.

Here is a part of the Mrs. Obama media plan. Later today, Mrs. Obama will do a group interview with the print reporters trailing her, after a speech on “youth engagement” at a university. I’ll be in the gang.

She will also be doing one-on-ones with three English U.S. networks. On Thursday, she will talk to Spanish language outlets. The interviews will be in English but I’m told Mrs. Obama will have a translator with her to translate her answers into Spanish.

PRINT AND BROADCAST OUTLETS COVERING MRS. OBAMA IN MEXICO

Chicago Sun-Times/Politics Daily
Chicago Tribune
Washington Post
New York Times
AP
Reuters
NBC
ABC
CBS
CNN
Univision
Telemundo
Not here: Fox News

MEXICO CITY–First Lady Michelle Obama, making her diplomatic debut on this solo Haiti-Mexico City swing, brought East Wing staff along, plus folks from the West Wing who work in “advance,” helping set up the visit and run it while in progress. Here’s the roll call.

Chief of Staff Susan Sher
Deputy Chief of Staff Melissa Winter
Communications director Camille Johnston
Press Secretary Semonti Stephens
Press Secretary Katie McCormick-Lelyveld
National Security Council advisor Dan Restrepo
Personal assistant Kristen Jarvis
Director of Scheduling Franny Starkey
Trip Director Alan Fitts

Plus
White House advance staffers detailed to this trip
White House new media team
Secret Service personnel
U.S. Embassy in Mexico staffers

Outside of Los Pinos (photo by Lynn Sweet)

MEXICO CITY–I’m in a van with other print reporters holding on a street outside of Los Pinos, the Mexican presidential residence. Our van is one of 11 vehicles on the brick road. We are on an edge of Chapultepec Park. It’s a lovely day. The motorcade zipped from the hotel to Los Pinos (“The Pines”) and what was kind of strange–there were almost no people on the street.

First Lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to be meeting with Mexican First Lady Margarita Zavala right now but I’m not going to kid you—we don’t know if Mrs. Obama is there.

Click below for a pool report from the Washington Post’s Robin Givhan, who I am sitting next to in the van now.

Robin Givhan, Washington Post
Pool report mexico

The pool rolled out from the Hotel Sheraton Maria Isabel at 8:45am Mexico
time. Cool temps. Slightly overcast skies. Eerily empty streets.
The few folks along the way are curious but aren’t cheering, waving or
protesting. Just standing quietly and watching.

Obama’s first stop of the morning is at Los Pinos, (Spanish speakers on
board tell your pooler it means “the pines”) the presidential compound,
where she’s greeted by Mexican first lady Margarita Zavala. Your pooler
could not see the actual greeting, but there will be TV pool evidence of
the encounter, I am told.

Did your pooler actually SEE the palace? No. Saw some very lovely jacaranda
trees. Saw some joggers in the neighboring Chapultepec park. Breathed in
exhaust from the motorcade vans.

Am told that she was greeted near the Seal of Mexico, which depicts an
eagle atop a cactus eating a serpent. Meaning? According to the White
House, it’s a reference to an Aztec legend: Seeing this vision would tell
them where to settle.

The only vision your pooler had was of fierce looking German shepherds
guarding the perimeter of Los Pinos.

After greeting, the two first ladies meet. Read-out to come.

MEXICO CITY–First Lady Michelle Obama may well fill in some blanks to her image on her solo diplomatic swing to Haiti and Mexico. Her agenda here is designed to avoid the controversial aspects of the U.S.-Mexico relationship. My report on how this trip will help define her international image–beyond someone who loves clothes–is here.

MEXICO CITY — Aiming to keep a spotlight on the plight of earthquake-ravaged Haiti, first lady Michelle Obama and second lady Jill Biden made a surprise visit to Port-au-Prince on Tuesday before landing in Mexico’s capital and motorcading downtown.

“I think it was important for Jill and I to come now because we’re at the point where the relief efforts are under way, but the attention of the world starts to wane a bit,” Mrs. Obama said before she left Haiti. “And as we enter the rainy season and the hurricane season, you know, the issues are just going to become more compounded. And I think it was important for us to come and shed a light.”

Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden spent just over five hours in Haiti, taking a helicopter tour of the flattened city, where hundreds of thousands are still homeless. The two women also met with Haiti President Rene Preval, and his wife, Elisabeth; toured a high school destroyed by the Jan. 12 earthquake and stopped at a children’s camp and talked to U.N. employees.

Mrs. Obama offered her first impression of the ruins as she was speaking with Mrs. Preval. “It’s powerful. The devastation is definitely powerful,” she said.

Mrs. Obama’s plane landed at the Benito Juarez Airport in Mexico City just after sunset in a visit designed to underscore the close relationship between the two nations. Mrs. Obama’s airport greeters included about 50 young Mexican girls, members of “Las Guias,” sort of like the Girl Scouts, and 37 boys and girls were Red Cross volunteers. Mrs. Obama was wearing a sleeveless blue dress and flowing print skirt.

The Haiti trip was planned for weeks, but kept secret by the East Wing until Tuesday.

Even knowing this, the East Wing billed Mrs. Obama’s Mexico visit, to run through Thursday morning, as her first solo official foreign trip.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the First Lady

___________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release April 13, 2010

REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY AND DR. BIDEN

AT THANK YOU EVENT

UN Logistical Center

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

3:22 P.M. (Local)

DR. BIDEN: Thank you Mr. Mulet for that introduction, for hosting us on this
important visit, and for the ongoing leadership that you and the United Nations
team have provided here in Haiti. And good afternoon and thank you to everyone
gathered here today.

It’s truly an honor to be with all of you — individuals from across the world,
along with many Haitians, who have been at the core of the relief and the
recovery efforts.

I am honored to be with you today and want to simply say thank you for your
heroic actions in recent months. Your commitment and compassion in the face of
unthinkable challenges has inspired the entire world.

Some of your very own here have lost lives, others have risked their lives, and
all of you have made us incredibly proud with your determined efforts to save
men, women and children — to provide comfort, and to put Haiti on a path to a
brighter future.

All of you in this room know that the devastation in Haiti was unconceivable,
and that there is much work to be done. But after visiting for just a day, I
will leave with a renewed sense of hope and optimism because of the will of the
Haitian people and the steadfast commitment of those of you standing here today
and the international community you represent.

As a teacher, I was especially pleased to visit a school this morning that is
providing a sense of normalcy and hope for the children in this area. And I
spoke with Mrs. Préval about the importance of a strong education system to
provide young Haitians the chance at a better life.

I also saw rebuilding efforts that will result in more schools. And with the
leadership of the Haitian government, your help and that of the international
community, I know these schools will educate Haiti’s future leaders of
government, arts, science and business.

Each of you is essential to these efforts. There is much hard work ahead. But
I know that together with the leadership of the Haitian people, the commitment
of the global community, and the ongoing sweat and compassion of those in this
room today, we will help Haiti build back better. (Applause.)

The First Lady and I came here to listen and learn, but also to deliver a
sincere and simple message: Thank you for what you have done and what you will
do for this ongoing mission.

I am honored to join First Lady Michelle Obama for this meaningful visit to
Haiti.

The President asked Michelle to come here to reiterate the commitment of the
United States to Haiti as a steadfast partner, and he could not have asked a
more able, dedicated, or compassionate person to deliver this message on behalf
of the United States.

I am so proud — (applause) — I am so proud and honored to introduce my friend,
and a woman we are so fortunate to call our First Lady: Michelle Obama.
(Applause.)

MRS. OBAMA: Well, thank you. Thank you, all. First let me start by thanking
my friend, Jill — Jill and her husband, that character you know, Vice President
Biden, for all that they’ve done over these past few months, especially in
support of our wonderful Haitian American communities, in South Florida and
across the United States. Let’s give Jill and Vice President Biden another
round of applause. (Applause.)

And also to Ed Mulet, to David Harland, to Nigel Fisher, General Cruz, and all
the United Nations personnel who are here today, thank you. Thank you for
hosting us. This has been an incredibly warm welcome. It’s been an incredibly
informative visit. And I want to thank you all for your remarkable service
under truly extraordinary circumstances, by any measure.

The mission to help Haiti recover and rebuild is truly, as Dr. Biden said, an
international effort — an international effort that is here at the invitation
of the Haitian government and in support of — by the Haitian people.

And we’re joined today by representatives from many countries, international
institutions and NGOs who are playing a vital role in this rebuilding effort.
It is truly an honor to be here with all of you.

This has been a deeply moving day for Jill and I, a very emotional day in so
many ways. And Jill and I first and foremost were grateful for the opportunity
to be able to — sat down with President Préval and the First Lady. We again
expressed to them, as Jill said, America’s deepest condolences, first of all, to
the Haitian people for this terrible and tremendous loss.

My husband, the President, asked that we remind President Préval and the people
of Haiti that we are going to keep standing with them. That is for sure.
(Applause.)

So I repeated to President Préval the pledge that my husband made to him at the
White House during his visit last month — that is, as Haiti recovers and
rebuilds, you will have a steady and reliable partner in the United States of
America.

We had the opportunity also to visit some of the places that reflect the
enormous needs of the Haitian people, but also it reflects their amazing
strength and resilience.

We visited families living in the tent cities in Champs De Mars — families
who’ve lost everything, everything, and for whom every day is a struggle to stay
dry, to feed their children.

We visited a school — more so, a classroom in buses donated by the Dominican
Republic — where some truly amazing kids were rebuilding and playing and
dancing and laughing, even under the circumstances.

We also visited a school that is being rebuilt so that children can realize
their dreams of an education and a better life.

We just had a very moving visit at our U.S. embassy with Ambassador Merten, our
embassy staff — Americans as well as Haitians. They have worked so hard for
the past three months. And some of the civilian and military personnel who’ve
been part of the Americans’ contribution to this international effort, we got to
spend some time with them.

And like so many of you, they lost colleagues and friends and loved ones. And
our purpose for these visits was to mainly say thank you — to thank them for
their extraordinary service and for delivering on America’s enduring commitment
to Haiti.

But we wanted to come here today because, as I said, helping Haiti recover and
rebuild has been an international effort.

And those of you here — those of you here at the United Nations, our many
partner nations, these incredibly — incredible NGOs have really been at the
heart of this huge undertaking.

And all of you have displayed such a spirit of compassion and partnership that,
frankly, we could use a whole lot more of in the world today. You all are
showing us all how it’s done.

You’ve done this even though so many of you have endured heartbreaking losses
yourselves.

Here at the U.N, you lost Hédi Annabi and so many leaders and colleagues and
members of the Stabilization Mission.

For the U.N., I understand it has been the single largest loss of life in
history. For each of you, it was the loss of a co-worker, a friend, a fellow
peacekeeper. For those of you in the NGO community, I know that the loss was
just as devastating — friends and partners and neighbors who you worked with
every day.

And as we mark the three-month anniversary of this terrible day, I’d like to ask
us all to just take a moment of silence to honor all those that we’ve lost.

(There is a pause for a moment of silence.)

We honor every single one of these victims — people from dozens of nations.

And every day that each of you gets up and go back to work and into the
communities that you love, you should know that you’re not only carrying on
their work, you’re also honoring their lives and you’re keeping their legacy
alive. So please don’t ever forget that in these times of struggle.

And despite all your loss, you have shown amazing courage and commitment,
especially in those first hours and those first days.

One of the first Secretary Generals of the U.N. famously said that the U.N. —
and this is a quote — was “not created in order to bring us to heaven, but in
order to save us from hell.” And that’s just what you did for so many people
here. You saved them from devastation that was nothing like it on Earth.

You’ve worked around the clock, day after day, clearing rubble, and building
shelters, and delivering food, and water, and medicine and supplies to millions
of people. And you’ve done this all with a true spirit of partnership.

Yes, the United States is proud to play a leading role in this effort. But
let’s never forget that this has been one of the largest and most complex relief
operations the world has ever attempted — the world. And in one way or
another, more than 140 nations has helped to make this a reality.

General Peixoto and peacekeepers from dozens of nations restored security so the
relief effort could proceed.

And when more peacekeepers were needed, nations around the world stepped up —
especially Brazil, even though it too lost so many in the quake.

And because you live and work in the communities that you serve, those of you in
the NGOs were often the first ones on the scene, providing food, and medical
care and shelter under nearly impossible conditions.

And I want to salute these inspiring organizations, especially all the Haitian
NGOs — Haitians serving Haitians. (Applause.)

And so much of your work would be impossible without the generous support of
Haitians living abroad, including in the United States. (Applause.)

To all these NGOs that you all represent, you represent them with the best
spirit of service. And I commend you for joining forces, and working together,
and pursuing a common vision of reconstruction. And as Haiti recovers and
rebuilds, you’re going to be indispensable, and America is going to be your
partner, too.

So this has truly been a global effort — an amazing example of what nations and
what people can do when they come together to do what’s right.

The road ahead, as you know, is not going to be easy. And it’s not going to be
quick. As you know, the rainy season is coming soon; it is here. The hurricane
season is coming, too.

But I heard a wonderful Haitian proverb that puts this all in perspective. And
some of you probably know it. It says, “Little by little, the bird builds its
nest.”

And today, the needs of the Haitian people are still overwhelming. We know
that. I saw that firsthand. But every day — and thanks to Secretary General
Ban Ki-moon’s unprecedented Humanitarian Appeal — this international effort is
bringing more supplies and more shelter so that little by little, daily life
will improve.

President Préval and the Haitian government have been working under unimaginable
difficulties. But they have a vision for the future and they have a roadmap to
get there. So little by little, Haiti will move forward.

The destruction is catastrophic. But last month, the world came together —
dozens of nations, including the United States; the U.N. and other international
institutions; and NGOs — and they made an historic commitment to Haiti’s
long-term reconstruction. So little by little, Haiti will rebuild.

Now, some might ask, after so much misery, how can we still have faith? After
so much ruin, how can Haiti rise again? After so much loss, how on Earth can
you still have hope?

Well, we have hope because we’ve been inspired — inspired by the resilience and
the faith of the Haitian people — (applause) — people who have lost
everything, except their belief that tomorrow can be a little bit better than
today.

And we have hope because the people of Haiti are not alone. America is standing
with Haiti. (Applause.) The world is standing with Haiti. You are all
standing with Haiti. And your commitment and dedication to this country is
truly inspiring.

It’s the commitment reflected in an e-mail that I received from one of your
embassy staff before I came for this visit, Sonia Kim, who I just got to meet.
And I think that her beautiful words speak to the commitment that all of you
bring to this work, wherever you’re from, whatever language you speak.

She wrote: “We are exhausted, traumatized and heart-broken. But we choose to
stay here and work. We choose to stay because we love Haiti and its people. We
choose to stay because we believe in our duty to help the people here in their
greatest hour of need. We choose to stay because we believe in our mission. We
choose to stay because we still hold out hope…for recovery and renewal…and for a
Haiti built back better than ever before.”

And that’s why I came here today. (Applause.) That’s why we have hope. And
that’s why, little by little, we’re going to keep making tomorrow better than
today.

Thank you for your incredible service. We are so proud of you. The world is
proud of you. The world is watching. And we wish you nothing but the best.
God bless. Thank you so much. (Applause.)

END 3:38 P.M. (Local)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2010

DAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE FOR
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2010

In the morning, the President and the Vice President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing and the Economic Daily Briefing in the Oval Office. These briefings are closed press.

The President and the Vice President will then meet with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Harry Reid, Senator Mitch McConnell, Congressman John Boehner, and Congressman Steny Hoyer in the Cabinet Room. In the State of the Union, the President announced his plan to hold regular bicameral, bipartisan meetings on key issues of concern to the American people. The focus of tomorrow’s meeting will be Wall Street reform. The President will discuss the choice he sees in the debate — whether to stand with the American people or stand on the side of the status quo. The President believes momentum is on the side of greater accountability for Wall Street and strong protections for consumers, and the bipartisan meeting is an opportunity to discuss the urgent need to enact strong financial reform. There will be a pool spray at the top of the meeting.

In the afternoon, the President will meet with senior advisors in the Oval Office. Later, the President and the Vice President will meet with Secretary of State Clinton in the Oval Office. These meetings are closed press.

In-Town Travel Pool
Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP
TV Corr & Crew: FOX
Print: New York Times
Radio: AURN

EDT

9:30AM Pool Call Time

9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press

10:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press

10:45AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with bipartisan Congressional leadership to discuss financial reform
Cabinet Room
Pool spray at the top (Gather time 10:40AM – Briefing Room)

12:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press

4:15PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of State Clinton
Oval Office
Closed Press

Briefing Schedule

2:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

##

(Photo by Lynn Sweet)

MEXICO CITY–First Lady Michelle Obama just touched down here after a flight from Haiti. She greeted officials and a large group of youths after she stepped down from the plane. Motorcading to hotel now…

MEXICO CITY–First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Jill Biden said a reason for their Haiti trip–unannounced–was to keep attention on the plight of earthquake striken Haiti. \

At a press conference in Haiti Mrs. Obama said she came because, “I think it was important for Jill and I to come now because we’re at the point where the relief efforts are underway but the attention of the world starts to wane a bit. And as we enter the rainy season and the hurricane season, you know, the issues are just going to become more compounded. And I think it was important for us to come and shed a light.”

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the First Lady
___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release April 13, 2010

PRESS GAGGLE
WITH THE FIRST LADY AND DR. BIDEN

U.N. Logistical Center
Port-au-Prince, Haiti

3:47 P.M. (Local)

DR. BIDEN: Okay, so this has been an absolutely incredible trip. General Keen from the U.S. Army took us around with the U.S. military today. We saw areas of devastation. We saw schools. We saw camps.

But I think the one thing that we take away from it is really the strength and the resilience of the human spirit, and that’s what we saw today and that’s what we’ll take home to Washington with us.

Thank you.

MRS. OBAMA: Well, and I think it was important for Jill and I to come now because we’re at the point where the relief efforts are underway but the attention of the world starts to wane a bit. And as we enter the rainy season and the hurricane season, you know, the issues are just going to become more compounded. And I think it was important for us to come and shed a light.

But it was also important to speak to the President and First Lady, who is just — she is just a powerhouse. And she’s been working on education. The school that we visited, this sort of bus camp, was one of two sites that are feeding and caring for nearly a thousand children a day that are coming through those — that particular site. They’re reading, they’re dancing, they’re painting. I painted a purple fish, by the way — (laughter) — and Jill did a house —

DR. BIDEN: A house. (Laughter.)

MRS. OBAMA: With trees and everything. It’s very good.

But it’s providing some level of stability and normalcy for kids who don’t really have a place to go yet.

But what is clear is that there is still so much to do. I mean, when we flew over — we did an aerial tour because it was probably the quickest and safest way — but what you see — you know, imagine a country where every church and every school has been destroyed. And at least that’s what the — every church and every school has been destroyed and has to be rebuilt from the bottom up.

Now, that’s an incredibly daunting challenge, but as the President sees it, it’s also an incredible responsibility. But it’s going to take all of us. And that’s what we talked about when we met with the U.N. staff, is that this has not been a U.S. effort. This has been a global effort. America has been a leader, but it has not been the only leader, by any close margin. And in order for Haiti to get back to where it needs to be, it’s going to take the world continuing to invest, to partner, to show that sense of compassion.

Stepping up and seeing the world work on behalf of Haiti has been the absolute right thing to do. And it’s just been a privilege for Jill and I to be able to come to see for ourselves, to lend support, to boost morale wherever. You know, I think it’s important for us and America to know that we still have U.S. Embassy officials working here, working here tirelessly. They’ve left their families. Some have sent them back home. They’re living in tents. The same for U.N. officials.

And the world needs to understand that there is still a small cadre of people working day in and day out to get this country back on its feet. So we’re just happy to be able to shed a little light on this situation.

DR. BIDEN: God bless them.

MRS. OBAMA: Absolutely.

DR. BIDEN: And God bless the Haitians.

MRS. OBAMA: Absolutely. So thank you all. Thank you for following us around and covering this. This has been an emotional but important day for Jill and I.

So thank you.

DR. BIDEN: Thank you.

Q Based on what you saw today, do you think that the aid money that’s been contributed by Americans is actually reaching the Haitian people?

MRS. OBAMA: Yes. And, you know, by all accounts, the Haitian people are very happy with the relief efforts. Still, accountability is key. And, you know, I know that the governments are going to continue to work together. But I think that my sense is the Haitian people feel a deep appreciation for what the world has done, that’s for sure.

END 3:51 P.M. EDT

MEXICO CITY–First Lady Michelle Obama’s Tuesday visit to earthquake devastated Haiti denied Mexico a coveted place in history: being the first official foreign destination of the first lady.

The White House and Mexican government officials used the “firstness” to underscore the close relationship between the two nations in briefing about the trip in the past weeks. But with the stop of Mrs. Obama and Second Lady Jill Biden gives Haiti, not Mexico the honor.

With Haiti and Mexico, the number of foreign countries Mrs. Obama has visited as First Lady–and with President Obama– now numbers 11. She has been to the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Ghana, Denmark, Norway, Czech Republic, Italy and Germany. Mrs. Obama traveled to England and France last summer with daughters Malia and Sasha, but the trip was billed as a vacation.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

______________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 13, 2010
f

Statement by the Press Secretary on Next Week’s Bipartisan Meeting to Discuss the Supreme Court Vacancy

The President has invited the bipartisan leaders of the Senate and the bipartisan leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, April 21st to discuss the Supreme Court vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Stevens. Senators Reid, McConnell, Leahy, and Sessions will travel to the White House on Wednesday morning for the meeting.

Updated with White House statement….Second update; Mrs. Obama, Dr. Biden meet Haiti First couple. Third update, 1 p.m. central time, Mrs

MEXICO CITY–First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, the wife of the vice president landed in Port-au-Prince, Haiti Tuesday morning, in a surprise trip the White House kept secret until their arrival. Mrs. Obama is making the brief stop en route to Mexico City to support humanitarian efforts there, I was told.

The White House released this statement after they landed: “First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are visiting Haiti to underscore to the Haitian people and the Haitian government the enduring U.S. commitment to help Haiti recover and rebuild, especially as we enter the rainy and hurricane seasons, and to thank the women and men across the whole of the U.S. government for their extraordinary efforts in Haiti during the
past three months. They will also reach out to the UN and international relief
communities in recognition of the truly global effort underway to help Haiti.”

Mrs. Obama’s plane landed at 10:40 a.m. local time; Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden took a helicopter to Haiti’s capital. The US Army helicopter with Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden landed at 11:17 am. President Rene Preval and his wife, Elisabeth Delatour Preval appeared two minutes later, according to the pool report.The president is wearing a black suit, his wife a pant suit.

Mrs. Obama stepped off the chopper at 11:21 am wearing grey slacks, and a blue shirt with black flats. Her cropped hair was straight. Dr. Biden has on khaki pants and white shirt along with white tennis shoes.

Mrs. Obama greeted Preval, first, and then the Haitian First Lady both kisses on the cheek. As she walked around the corner, speaking with Mrs. Preval, Mrs. Obama said of her first impressions: “It’s powerful. The devastation is definitely powerful”.

Pool report, Tuesday afternoon…..

After meeting with President Rene Preval and his wife, Elisabeth Delatour Preval, (your pool was not privy to the meeting) FLOTUS and Dr. Biden both were transported from the palace, through the Champs de Mars, where tens of thousands now call home. They arrived at a site behind the Le Musee d’Art Haitien, where the First Lady of Haiti Elisabeth Delatour Preval has set up a children’s safe space with help from internationally known Haitian artist Philippe Dodard.

The program, Plas Timoun or the Children’s Place was set up by Haiti’s first lady shortly after the earthquake. There are two sites one in downtown(which the first lady visited) and another in Petionville. Some 900 children take part in the program daily, and 2000 are fed. There Haitian artists, led by well-known artist Dodard, work with children on art projects as part of a post-quake therapy program.

The buses, where the children do art therapy were donated by the first lady of the Dominican Republic.

Dozens of children greeted the FLOTUS and Dr. Biden, singing “welcome” in English. FLOTUS danced with the children, shrugging her shoulders and shaking her hips as they sang. At the end she gave several of them high fives, while smiling.

As one group ended, another group of children sang a song in Creole, “We are glad to see you..We say let’s be happy.” Following a brief play, she and Dr. Biden stepped onto one of the buses where both chatted with three kids sitting at an art table. Haiti’s first lady served as a translator.

FLOTUS drew a fish, she said, because the children requested it.

The green buses were decorated with red, white and blue balloons, the color of the Haitian flag. Three children stood holding bright red flowers to give to the first lady.

Minutes later FLOTUS, now wearing gray All-Stars tennis shoes (Dr. Biden is wearing a black pair now) walked past a few onlookers near the Champs de Mars to the nearby quake-damaged College Episcopal. She waved to the camp dwellers trying to get a peek of her.

The high school was damaged by the quake. At least 20 people were killed.

The sounds of saws could be heard in the background where workers – with funds from the government of Haiti – are helping to rebuild classrooms.

Background:

Plas Timoun “The Children’s Place” was developed by Mrs. Préval, Philippe Dodard, an internationally respected Haitian graphic artist and painter, and a group of psychologists, educators and politicians.

Six to ten year-old children living in tent cities receive mental health services, including art and music therapy, and access to sports, food, and water. Activities take place in busses donated by the Dominican Republic (see pictures below and on the next page). The Haitian Ministry of Education is working to bring this program to other school communities. The earthquake damaged or destroyed approximately 90 percent of the schools in the Port-au-Prince area and 40 percent in surrounding areas. Before the earthquake, less than half of school-aged children attended school in Haiti, and only 20% of primary age students were enrolled in public schools.
Jacqueline Charles
Caribbean Correspondent
Miami Herald

In the wake of the air crash that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife and others, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel went to the Polish embassy on Sunday before the nuclear security summit to pay his respects and sign a book of condolences.
I’m told Emanuel did it more as a Chicagoan–and Chicago has a vast Polish population–that as a White House official.

A few years ago a young journalist looking for a job knocked on the door of the Chicago Sun-Times Washington Bureau, then in the National Press Building. I had nothing for the cold-calling Dan Gilbert, but once he said he attended the University of Chicago (class of 2005) the Chicago connection kicked in. I agreed to review his resume and make some suggestions, impressed by his determination to be a reporter who burned shoe leather and his fluency in Spanish. Turned out I mentored him through the years and I am just bursting with pride to say that the Pulitzer Prize for public service on Monday was given to the Bristol, Va. Herald Courier “for the work of Daniel Gilbert.”

Here’s the citation:

For a distinguished example of meritorious public service by a newspaper or news site through the use of its journalistic resources which, as well as reporting, may include editorials, cartoons, photographs, graphics, video and other online material, presented in print or online or both, a gold medal.

Awarded to the Bristol (VA) Herald Courier for the work of Daniel Gilbert in illuminating the murky mismanagement of natural-gas royalties owed to thousands of land owners in southwest Virginia, spurring remedial action by state lawmakers.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2010

DAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE FOR
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2010

In the morning, the President will participate in a group photo with Heads of Delegation attending the Nuclear Security Summit at the Washington Convention Center. There will be Nuclear Security Summit pool coverage. Following the group photo, the President will deliver remarks at Plenary Session I of the Nuclear Security Summit. The Vice President will join the President at Plenary Session I. There will be a pool spray of the President’s remarks.

Later, the President will attend the Heads of Delegation working lunch. This lunch is closed press.

In the afternoon, the President will meet with the Prime Minster Erdogan of Turkey. This meeting is closed press.

Later, the President will attend Plenary Session II of the Nuclear Security Summit. This session is closed press.

Following Plenary Session II, the President will meet with President Fernandez de Kirchner of Argentina. This meeting is closed press.

The President will then hold a press conference at the Washington Convention Center. This event is open to Nuclear Security Summit-credentialed press.

In the evening, the President will attend a Heads of Delegation reception in the Washington Convention Center Dining Room. This event is closed press. He will then hold a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel of Germany. There will be a pool spray at the top of the meeting.

In-Town Travel Pool
Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP
TV Corr & Crew: CNN
Print: New York Post
Radio: AP

EDT

8:30AM Pool Call Time

9:20AM THE PRESIDENT participates in Heads of Delegation Group Photo
Washington Convention Center
Nuclear Security Summit Pool Coverage (Pool Gather time 8:45AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT attend Plenary Session I of the Nuclear Security Summit, THE PRESIDENT delivers opening remarks
Washington Convention Center
Pool spray for remarks
12:00PM THE PRESIDENT attends Heads of Delegation working lunch
Washington Convention Center Dining Room
Closed Press

1:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Prime Minster Erdogan of Turkey
Washington Convention Center
Closed Press

2:00PM THE PRESIDENT attends Plenary Session II of the Nuclear Security Summit
Washington Convention Center
Closed Press

4:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with President Fernandez de Kirchner of Argentina
Washington Convention Center
Closed Press

4:30PM THE PRESIDENT holds press conference
Washington Convention Center
Open to Nuclear Security Summit-credentialed press

5:15PM THE PRESIDENT attends Heads of Delegation reception
Washington Convention Center Dining Room
Closed Press

6:00PM THE PRESIDENT holds bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel of Germany
Washington Convention Center
Pool spray at the top

##

Democratic Illinois Senate hopeful Alexi Giannoulias is the keynoter at the City Club Monday lunch. From Giannoulias campaign: “Giannoulias will highlight the sharp contrast between himself and his opponent, Republican Congressman Mark Kirk, in an address to the City Club of Chicago at the group’s Public Policy Luncheon.”