Office of the First Lady
_______________________________________________________
For Immediate Release May 5, 2009
U.S. U.N. Offices
New York, New York
4:28 P.M. EDT
MRS. OBAMA: Thank you. Thank you so much. I am thrilled to be here.
Thank you, Susan, for that kind introduction. I'm thrilled to be here,
but I was just at Sesame Street, I'm sorry. (Laughter.) And I never
thought I'd be on Sesame Street with Elmo and Big Bird, and I was
thrilled. I'm still thrilled. I'm on a high. (Laughter.) I think
it's probably the best thing I've done so far in the White House. But
we were there talking about nutrition and healthy eating, and it's just
been a thrill. So I'm glad I could take the time to be here with you
all.
You know, I just want to tell you that Susan Rice -- I could take her
introduction of me and turn it around and do the same thing for her.
She is a trusted adviser and friend to the President and to me. And I
know how appreciative Barack was when Susan agreed to serve as
Ambassador to the United Nations, because of the importance that he
places on the work that you all do. And having someone that he trusts
and expects -- and respects and admires and who is also wicked smart --
I like that one -- (laughter) -- just is a sign of how valued this work
is to the White House.
It is a pleasure to be here in New York. This is my first trip back to
the city since I've become First Lady. It seems like I was just here,
but it's been a hundred and seven, eight, nine days or something like
that.
But in addition to doing some traveling around the country and around
the world a little bit, I've been doing, as Susan mentioned, a lot of
traveling around Washington, and trying to meet our new neighbors.
That's something that we were taught; that when you move into a new
place, that you learn about your community, that you introduce
yourself, and you not just talk but you listen.
And I've been going around to as many federal agencies as I can. The
goal is to hit all of them, and I've been to about 10 agencies, and
really trying to shine a bright light on all of the hard work done by
our nation's employees.
You know, my task when I go is simple: is to say thank you. And many
people don't hear that. Many people don't feel that the years that
they've put in -- sometimes are not appreciated. And my visits are
just a simple way of saying yes, in fact, we see you, we know who you
are, we value what you do, and we couldn't be here, wouldn't be here
without you.
I've had the chance to meet so many people who've dedicated their
lives, their entire careers to strengthening our nation. And in fact,
here today I want to acknowledge 40 of those people who are sitting in
the front rows here -- oh, this is the 40. (Laughter.) I was trying
to figure out while I was standing there, which is the 40?
(Laughter.) It's you!
It's my understanding that everyone over here has worked for the U.S.
government for more than 20 years, and that includes Ivan Ferber.
(Laughter.) Where's Ivan? (Applause.) He has worked here a remarkable
47 years -- longer than I've been alive. (Laughter.) So let's give
Ivan and all of them a round of applause. (Applause.)
I have also been going around to do one of my favorite things, and
that's meeting with kids in the schools and community centers and
encouraging them to study hard -- my whole model is, being smart is
really cool, so get it together -- telling them that we're going to
need them to be prepared, basically, to take on the reins and become
the future leaders, the future public servants, really trying to let
them know that developing careers in public service and thinking about
that now is a really good thing -- because we're going to need them,
we're going to have a lot of work to do.
And I've learned that I don't need to work too hard sending that
message to your kids, because the President was sent a letter the other
day from the son of Scott Turner. (Laughter.) Where's Scott? All
right, so Scott's son, Jack, a first grader -- okay, I know I'm going
to embarrass you, but this is a good one -- (laughter) -- he wrote the
following letter to the President:
Dear Mr. Obama, can you move to New York? (Laughter.) Because people
like you so much in New York. I will help you come to New York.
(Laughter.) And people are doing bad stuff in New York. (Laughter.)
I will help you get the bad people. And when I catch the bad people, I
will put them in jail. (Laughter.) That's why I want you to move to
New York. From, Jack. (Laughter and applause.)
So ladies and gentlemen, I think we have identified the new future New
York Police Commissioner! (Laughter.) Jack, on the case. (Laughter.)
Now, I know that part of Ambassador Rice's mission is to strengthen the
U.N., but I also didn't think that nepotism was a part of it, but it's
sometimes a good thing, and I've got an embarrassing story for her, as
well.
A couple of weeks ago Susan's 11-year-old son, Jake, was here for Take
Your Child to Work Day, a day that I know all drove us crazy, but the
kids liked it. We had -- we enjoyed it at the White House, as well.
But he was apparently embarrassed to be caught eating ice cream when
the South African Ambassador was approaching his mother's office. And
not wanting to, and this is a quote from Jake, to "make a bad first
impression," Jake dumped his ice cream -- (laughter) -- just so he
could introduce himself. Now, see, that's diplomacy -- (laughter) --
right there for an 11-year-old to sacrifice ice cream to shake the hand
appropriately of a fellow ambassador.
AMBASSADOR RICE: If only he was so -- (inaudible.)
MRS. OBAMA: Well, you know -- (laughter) -- they never -- they never
do that with us. (Laughter.) But good home training -- he was able to
do it outside. So I want to thank Jake for taking so seriously his
role in creating the best impression of American diplomacy.
But I think our future is in good hands, from what I've been seeing,
traveling around. And I know that each and every one of you has a
child in your life that you are desperately pushing ahead, and you know
they can do it. So I believe we're going to be okay.
And I believe we're presently in good hands because of all of you.
From what I'm seeing in my agency visits, people are ready and willing
to sacrifice and roll up their sleeves.
As the President has said, the United States is pursuing a new era of
engagement when it comes to advancing America's interests around the
world. This new policy recognizes the fact that America's future is
intricately linked to the rest of the world; that the threats facing
the global community know no borders, and no single country can tackle
them alone.
And we've learned this again with the recent outbreak of the H1N1
virus. We know now that we can not wall ourselves off from issues that
are challenging our neighbors. It is moments like this when having
relationships based on mutual trust and respect will be most
beneficial. And as the world becomes even smaller and our future more
inter-connected and the stakes ever higher, your work is more
important. It has never been more important. Your work links the
world to America and American ideals that are beacons of hope for
millions of people.
As I told the young women at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in
London during our recent trip, I told them there was nothing in my life
that would suggest that I would become First Lady. Rather, it is the
premise of America and the promise kept that brings me here today.
There are millions of girls and boys in countries near and far who are
looking for a way to make the most of their lives. There are parents
struggling to raise those kids, there are teachers working hard to
teach them, community leaders struggling to give them safe, nurturing
communities where they can grow and thrive. And they're doing this
against some pretty incredible odds, especially in developing countries.
And that's why the work that you do here to advance America's interests
and to make the U.N. a more effective and efficient organization is so
important.
There are people around the world counting on the success of your
efforts. The young boy who is forced to carry a rifle and become a
child soldier, he's counting on you. The girl locked out of the school
house or attacked because she had the audacity to want to learn to read
or write, she's counting on you. The mother walking hours each day to
find clean water for her children, she's counting on you. And the
father who leaves his family for months or years on end in search of
work, he's counting on you, as well.
Social and economic development programs give millions of people hope
and a chance at a brighter future, paving the way for a more peaceful
and prosperous world for us all.
And in my role as First Lady, what I hope to do is to work with you in
some way, shape or form to help build that mission. And I am looking
forward to joining you in this endeavor.
So I want to thank you all for what you've done, what you will continue
to do. We are rooting for you, and we need you. So thank you so
much. (Applause.)
END
4:38 P.M. EDT
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