112th First Lady's Luncheon The Congressional Club Museum & Foundation

The excitement of assembling in this room today derives from the premise of diversity. Each of us sustains distinct life experiences that shape our personalities, perspectives, and opinions. We are also a politically diverse group.

I believe we maintain a common thread woven together by three harmonious values: Belonging, Empathy, and Collaboration. Let us take heart and consider these fundamentals across this common thread—our children.

It is undeniable that the next generation yearns to feel genuinely included. It’s wonderful when we invest emotionally and socially to create a sense of belonging, knowing that our actions will make our hometowns richer and stronger.

I had the honor of witnessing this firsthand recently as our congressional leaders focused on the well-being of teens who fell victim to the growing problem of nonconsensual intimate images created for the sole purpose of ruining one’s life. The Take It Down Act has garnered cross-party support to protect our children and grandchildren.

Last month, while participating in the Take It Down Act’s roundtable with Congress and hearing your spouse’s words, I saw the compassion in our leaders’ hearts. We may not always agree with one another’s policies, but we all cherish our children.

Our leaders’ capacity to share in the struggles, joys, possibilities, and fears of others is what sets us apart as distinctly human. Empathy fosters friendships between neighbors, turns strangers into allies, and transforms challenges into collective triumphs.

Our community flourishes when we unite to uplift our children and equip them to turn dreams into reality. As you are aware, my platform, Be Best, is action-oriented towards our next generation of leaders. Over the past few years, I have centered efforts on “Be Best – Fostering the Future.”

Simply put, children from foster care are afforded the ability to attend universities, secure entry-level jobs, and become self-sufficient. My hope is that someday the beneficiaries will extend from the classroom into our communities. My experience underscores that through collaboration, our efforts can achieve extraordinary outcomes. I am proud to share that Be Best – Fostering the Future just added two more participatory colleges.

Your special roles often position you as facilitators, connectors, and advocates who inspire collective action. After today, as you move back into your daily routines, embrace this responsibility with dedication and vision.

Your potential to influence the future of our country is immense.

Thank you.