(CNN) – "We now have a president who's going to put science at the heart of our environmental policies and decisions," Michelle Obama said to a cheering crowd of employees at the Environmental Protection Agency Thursday. "It's a new day."
Mrs. Obama spoke to roughly 1,000 EPA staffers, her latest stop in a series of visits to government agencies, thanking employees for their work and assuring them that they have "unwavering support from a phenomenal president."
"This new era puts the EPA at the center of President Obama's highest priorities, securing America's energy independence and securing the future of our planet by combating climate change," the first lady said.
The EPA is an agency whose mission is particularly close to Obama's heart: public health. "I've often spoken about my most important job - being a mom, and like mothers and fathers everywhere, the health and safety of our children is our top priority," she said. "This is what it is all about - the future."
The first lady touted environmental spending in the president's stimulus plan which designates 10.5 billion dollars to the EPA to "continue to clean up our communities and improve the health of our fellow Americans." The boost in environmental spending is nearly 50 percent higher than President Bush asked for in 2008, and includes funds designated to improve sewage treatment plants, drinking water systems and to protect waterways.
The first lady maintained the president will "champion bold policies and make smart investments" like create more energy efficient buildings, Obama said as the crowd roared.
"See now that's exciting, you know you're at the EPA."
From CNN Politics
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What an awesome First Lady we have! She is so educated, refined and a wonderful speaker, much like her husband. No wonder they get along so well. God Bless them always and their beautiful children.
Kudos to FLOTUS! Folks who work for the Federal Government need a boost after having toiled under the yoke of those who hate government. Finally, this country will be moving forward in a positive way and Federal workers can feel proud of the important work they do!
"I've often spoken about my most important job — being a mom, and like mothers and fathers everywhere, the health and safety of our children is our top priority," she said. "This is what it is all about — the future."
Then why don't you understand the fact that spending Trillions means our children have just been handed a dept too large to allow for a normal life??????
We can not afford your run away spending!
Love her! She is such a great role model for the young ladies of America.
Mrs. Obama is a shining example to women from all races and walks of life. I am truly proud of my country and I hold my president and his beautiful wife in the highest esteem.
Wow, look at those fingers!
what a flipping joke. i don't get how Gore can run around saying we need to conserve when he's running up his electric and water bills. i am sorry, but Michelle Obama is really not that great.
Thanks Michelle for being the beautiful person that you are. And Thanks for backing up your husband!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're the super Mom In Chief!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is so wonderful the have a beautiful, caring, smart woman as First Lady. Keep up the good work!
So since science says the Earth has now been cooling for several years, can we drop the Global Warming BS?
I knew she was a classy lady during the campaign, but couldn't anticipate what an active, engaging First Lady she would become. I expect to see her active in national affairs for decades to come; another Eleanor Roosevelt.
Runaway spending ? perhaps but atleast its going back into our economy........ the Bush administration dished out money like there was no tomorrow, and where did they put it? in Iraq, whose pockets did it go to? not the Iraqis..... people like Halliburton etc whose market share increased atleast sevenfold.... So fine by me if cheaters and crooks like Halliburton get taxed to death... they did a pathetic job in Iraq anyways.
Maybe she should just go bake a cake for her kids or something. Leave government to elected officials
Deborah February 26th, 2009 2:51 pm ET
"I've often spoken about my most important job — being a mom, and like mothers and fathers everywhere, the health and safety of our children is our top priority," she said. "This is what it is all about — the future."
Then why don't you understand the fact that spending Trillions means our children have just been handed a dept too large to allow for a normal life??????
We can not afford your run away spending!
-------------------------------
Why do people like you keep doing this?! Our children's future has already been spent by Bush and his Administration on this wasted ware in Iraq! Why didn't you speak up these past years against this debt then Deborah? Obama's only been in the WH a month, Bush had eight years to squander away a budget surplus and THEN turned it into a deficit that has ALREADY bankrupted our children's future! So give it a rest okay?
awww....ain't that sweet...for the first time, she actually is proud of her country....now that:
1. It's deeper in debt, courtesy of her husband and democrats.
2. Racial tensions have resurfaced thanks to the corruption involved with Obama's election.
3. She can now appear on Oprah as someone....mm..mm....child...
Michelle, do the US a favor, take your bitter, whitehater behind back to the chicago hood where you belong...
Deborah, were you asleep for the past eight years when the Bush mob was DOUBLING our deficit? You're a hypocrite.
Steve, what science has been saying the earth has been cooling?
Or is that just a game of telephone beening played out in conservative fossil fuel loving circles?
Oh please..as if our children/grandchildren were not already being stuck with the trillion dollar deficit that Bush ran up...NOW folks care about future generations!!! Some of yall are laughable!!!!
@ steve
Yes, you can drop the "global warming" BS. That label is outdated. The problem is "climate change" and the fact that the pollution we have created and continue to create is causing more violent weather changes and events and more drastic environmental damage. Any way you slice it, we're doing more damage to our planet and environment than we should.
BTW, while geologists might tell you that the Earth's core is cooling...as it does with any planet...no scientist is going to tell you that we're not doing severe damage to the planet. If you find one who will, ask him how much the GOP is paying him.
@ Deborah
Careful there. Nobody ever yelled at Laura Bush for her husband being a moron.
Isn't it brilliant to hear a First Lady that can put a sentence together and without the benefit of the West Texas drawl, y'aaaaaaallllll?!
And, Personal to Valerie:
It;s ok to say what you really think of the First Lady; we've been on to your kind for quite some time, now!
If our new EPA director takes her job seriously then the President will understand that it is all connected......develop clean energy, clean up the environment, get the chemicals out of the water and air (and people) thus leading to better health, lower healthcare costs, more productive people and a stronger economy. You can't fix one without fixing all of them, nor can we mess up one without messing them all up. What better time than now? Thank you, Mrs. Obama for putting the number one issue on the front burner where it belongs.
@ Deborah
Careful there. Nobody ever yelled at Laura Bush for her husband being a moron. Well, maybe her parents...
Steve, do a little research so you can get beyond the simple definitions of "cooling" and "warming" when it comes to the Earth.
How much more will this cost? Can we afford one more dime of spend, spend, spend that we have seen the last few weeks? My God, its like a kid in a candy store without parental supervison.......