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The President and First Lady at the National Governors Association

Summary: 
The President and First Lady speak at the National Governors Association.

Yesterday, President Obama and The First Lady hosted the National Governors Association in the State Dining Room at the White House. We thought we'd pass along some photos and excerpts from their remarks:

President Obama:

One of the things that I've always said about governors that Washington could learn from is that it's hard to be overly ideological as a governor, because the fact of the matter is, the rubber hits the road with you.  You guys can have all kinds of abstract thoughts, but when families come to you looking for help, when communities have been devastated, you're the ones they turn to.  And so these arguments become a lot less abstract.  And I think it's a reflection of that experience as chief executives in each of your state that makes you able to work together so effectively in this organization.

So I want to congratulate you for having worked through a very difficult year.  I want you to know that this White House wants to continue to partner with you, and not just -- not just in terms of us telling you what we think we can do to help, but more importantly, us listening and finding out from you the kinds of extraordinary ideas that all these states represent.  You guys are -- continue to be the laboratory for our democracy.


The First Lady:

Working for the next generation is what drives so many Americans to do what they do -- to work that extra shift, to take that extra job, to go without themselves just so that their kids can have more than they did.  It's what we've always done in this country.  I know my parents have done it for me.  They measured their success by the success of their children, by whether their children were happier and healthier and had a better shot at fulfilling their dreams than they did.

That's why so many of you got involved in politics in the first place -- to leave something better for those who are going to come after you.  And in the end, that's what "Let's Move" is all about.  It is simple.  Let's stop wringing our hands and talking about it and citing statistics.  Let's act.  Let's move.  Let's give our kids the future they deserve.