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Introductory Remarks at Visit of First Lady Michelle Obama to the Department of Commerce

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

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Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke
Introductory Remarks Welcoming First Lady Michelle Obama to the Department of Commerce
Washington, D.C.

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Good afternoon, and thank you.

It’s exciting to have any First Lady come to visit the Commerce Department.

But it’s a particular honor to have this First Lady meet with us today.

She is a remarkable and accomplished person, and of course the doting mother of two adorable girls. And she accomplishes with aplomb what so many of us try to do far less gracefully—raise children while balancing work and family life.

She is blazing a path—in high style, I might add—and serving as a role model for millions of young girls across this country—my 12-year-old daughter included.

I'm sure many of you are familiar with the work the First Lady has already done over the past year to promote public service and education and to support the families of our men and women in uniform.

What you may not know is that long before coming to the White House, the First Lady’s work in the private sector included work as intellectual property attorney.

So she knows a little something about the promotion of innovation and technology, which is a cornerstone of our efforts here at Commerce; and the key to putting Americans back to work in good paying jobs that provide stability, dignity and security.

Getting our economy firing on all cylinders is our nation’s and the president’s top priority.

It is a job that will require every American to pitch in. And it will require the dedication of public servants like everyone here at the Department of Commerce to ensure our private sector has every tool it needs to thrive.

In the Obama administration, there is no stronger voice for the power of public service and public servants to transform communities than Michelle Obama.

And we are honored to have her here. Ladies and gentlemen, the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.