The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 23, 2011
Remarks by the President at a DNC Event
Sheraton Hotel and Towers
New York, New York
6:59 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, hello, hello! (Applause.) Thank
you! Thank you so much. Hello, New York! (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. Everybody please
have a seat. Thank you. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
Thank you, Jonathan, for your service to this country and for continuing to
fight for what this country stands for, even after you had to take off the
uniform.
I also want to recognize the extraordinary performance of Audra
McDonald. I like hearing her sing. (Applause.) I want to thank
our MC for this evening, Neil Patrick Harris. (Applause.) Everybody knows
that Neil is openly terrific. (Laughter.)
A couple of other acknowledgments -- Christine Quinn, the New York City
Council Speaker, is here. (Applause.) A great friend of mine who
helped move the process forward to make sure that gdonft ask, donft tellh got
done -- Patrick Murphy is in the house. (Applause.) The DNC
treasurer, Andy Tobias, is here. (Applause.) I think they like you,
Andy. (Applause.) And I want to thank the co-chairs of the LGBT
Leadership Council. Thank you so much. This is just an extraordinary
event.
It is wonderful to be back in New York. I see a lot of new faces but
also a lot of friends who I have known for a very long time. Many of you
knew me before I had gray hair. (Laughter.) Malia and Sasha says it
makes me look distinguished. Michelle says it makes me look old.
(Laughter.)
Now, being here with all of you, I canft help but think back to election
night two and a half years ago. We were in Grant Park -- some of you were
there. Beautiful night. Culmination of an extraordinary journey; a
campaign that had drawn on the hard work and support of people all across the
country –- men and women who believed that change was possible, who believed
that we didnft have to accept politics as usual, who believed that we could once
again be a country that lived up to our highest aspirations, not our lowest
common denominators. And it was a perfect night, and we were feeling
pretty good, I got to admit.
But what I said then at Grant Park was that this was not the end of the road;
it was just the beginning. And I said that the journey was going to be
long and it was going to be difficult and there were going to be times where we
stumble, that the climb was going to be steep. Now, we didnft know exactly
how steep it was going to be. (Laughter.) But we knew that it wasnft
going to be easy to rebuild the middle class after a decade of stagnant incomes
and rising costs -– a decade where a lot of Americans felt like that dream was
slipping away.
We knew it wasnft going to be easy to end two wars and restore Americafs
leadership around the world. We knew it wasnft going to be easy to fix our
immigration system; to reform our health care system; to transform our energy
policy; to educate our young people for the demands of a global economy.
We did not think it was going to be easy.
And I said that night I did not run for President to do easy things. I
ran because I believed that as a nation it was time for us to do the hard
things. It was time for us to do the big things -- even if it took time,
even if sometimes it was going to be frustrating. I said I was not going
to let politics or the typical Washington games stand in our way because it had
held us back for too long. That's what led to the mess that we were
dealing with in the first place.
So over these past two and a half years, Ifve had some tough calls to
make. I had some tough calls as soon as I took office. We had to prevent a
financial system from falling apart and dragging the economy into
depression. We had to pass reforms to stop abuses in the financial system
and prevent future crises. We had to rescue the auto industry. I did
not think it was going to be an auto CEO. (Laughter.) Even though
there were a lot of people who said, let them go, let more than a million jobs
vanish, allow two of Americafs iconic companies to be liquidated and sold off
for parts, we said no, wefre going to have to step up, wefre going to have to
deal with it.
But even as we took these emergency steps, we started tackling all the
challenges that we had talked about during the campaign, all the things that
were standing in the way of the American Dream. Because thatfs why I
ran. Thatfs what the campaign was about. That's why you supported
me. Because we believed in an economy that didnft just work for those at
the top, but worked for everybody -– where prosperity was shared.
(Applause.) Where prosperity was shared from the machinist on the line to
the manager on the floor, to the CEO in the boardroom.
We worked so hard in 2008 because we believed that we have to define our
success not just by stock prices or corporate profits, but whether ordinary
folks can find a good work, whether they can afford a middle-class life, whether
they can pay the mortgage and take care of their kids and save some money for
their childfs college education or their own retirement, and maybe have a little
left over to go to a movie or dinner or even a play. (Laughter.)
Since we're in New York. (Laughter.)
Thatfs why we cut taxes for middle-class families, and ended subsidies to the
banks for student loans to make college more affordable. Thatfs why I was
proud to sign a bill to make sure women earn equal pay for equal work -- a basic
principle. (Applause.) Thatfs why wefre promoting manufacturing and
homegrown American energy -– because thatfs what will lead to jobs that pay a
decent salary. That's why wefre standing up a new consumer bureau with
just one responsibility -- looking out for ordinary folks in the financial
system so they're not cheated. That's why we passed health reform, so that
no one in the richest nation on Earth ever has to go bankrupt because they or
somebody in their family get sick. (Applause.) That was the right
thing to do. (Applause.)
We waged that long campaign in 2008 because we believed it was time to end
the war in Iraq. And that is what we are doing -- ending the war in
Iraq. (Applause.) We removed 100,000 troops from Iraq already, ended
combat missions there. Wefre on track to bring the rest of our troops home
by the end of this year.
I ran for President because I believed we needed to refocus our efforts in
Afghanistan -- and wefre doing this, too. We pummeled al Qaeda. We
took out bin Laden. (Applause.) And because of our progress and the
extraordinary sacrifices of our troops -- because of the extraordinary
sacrifices of our troops, wefre now fulfilling the commitment I made to start
reducing our troops this month so that Afghans can take responsibility for their
own security. (Applause.)
I also ran because we now live in a world where America is facing stiff
competition for good jobs. There are rapidly growing nations like China
and India -- they're hungry; they're on the move. And for a long time we
were told that the best way to win this competition was to undermine consumer
protections, undermine clean air and clean water laws, hand out tax breaks to
millionaires and billionaires, and everything would work out just fine. It
did not work out well. In fact, if you look at our history, you'll see
that philosophy has never worked our very well.
America was built on the hard work of people and the ingenuity of our
businesses. But we also built a system of free public high schools and
sent a generation to college on the G.I. Bill. We constructed railroads
and highways that spanned a continent. We invested in research and
technology, and we sent a man to the moon, and we discovered lifesaving
medicine. We launched the Information Age -– creating millions of jobs
along the way. Thatfs how you build a nation. That's how you build a
strong middle class. And thatfs what we need to do today.
There is an important debate in Washington right now about cutting the
deficit. And it is absolutely critical that we cut the deficit. Like
families all across America, government has to live within its means. And
Ifm prepared to bring down our deficit by trillions of dollars –- thatfs
"trillions" with a "t."
But I won't reduce our deficit by sacrificing the education of our young
people. (Applause.)
We canft stop medical research being done by our scientists.
(Applause.) We canft stop building the infrastructure that made this
country great. Ifm not going to sacrifice clean energy at a time when our
dependence on foreign oil has caused Americans so much pain at the pump.
(Applause.) That doesn't make any sense. In other words, I will not
sacrifice Americafs future.
What makes America great is not just the scale of our skyscrapers, or our
military might, or the size of our GDP. What makes us great is the
character of our people. Yes, we are rugged individualists and we are
self-reliant, and thatfs part of what makes us Americans. We don't like
being told what to do.
But what also makes us who we are is wefve got faith in the future and we
recognize that that future is shared -- the notion that I'm my brotherfs keeper,
I'm my sisterfs keeper. My life is richer and stronger when everybody in
the country has some measure of security; everybody has got a fair shot at the
American Dream. That's what makes us great. Thatfs our vision for
America.
Itfs not a vision of a small America. Itfs a vision of a big America; a
compassionate America; and a bold and optimistic America. And itfs a
vision where wefre living within our means, but wefre still investing in our
future. And everybody is making sacrifices, but nobody bears all the
burden. An America where we live up to the idea that no matter who we are,
no matter what we look like, we are connected to one another.
That's what led many of us to fight so hard, to knock on so many doors and
maybe harangue some of our friends -- this belief that it was up to each of us
to perfect this union. It was our work to make sure that we were living up
to a simple American value: We're all created equal. Wefre all
created equal.
Ever since I entered into public life, ever since I have a memory about what
my mother taught me, and my grandparents taught me, I believed that
discriminating against people was wrong. I had no choice. I was born
that way. (Laughter and applause.) In Hawaii.
(Applause.) And I believed that discrimination because of somebodyfs
sexual orientation or gender identity ran counter to who we are as a people, and
itfs a violation of the basic tenets on which this nation was founded. I
believe that gay couples deserve the same legal rights as every other couple in
this country. (Applause.)
Now, there was such a good recitation earlier by Neil that I feel bad
repeating it, but let me just -- it bears repeating. (Laughter.)
This is why wefre making sure that hospitals extended visitation rights to gay
couples, because nobody should be barred from their bedside their partner -- the
beside of their partner in a moment of pain, or a moment of need. Nobody
should have to produce a legal contract to hold the hand of the person that they
love.
Itfs why we launched the first comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy,
providing a road map not only to providing treatment and reducing infections --
(applause) -- but also embracing the potential of new, groundbreaking research
that will help us bring an end to this pandemic.
Thatfs why I ordered federal agencies to extend the same benefits to gay
couples that go to straight couples wherever possible. That's why wefre
going to keep fighting until the law no longer -–
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Marriage.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Marriage. Marriage. Marriage.
THE PRESIDENT: I heard you guys. (Laughter.) Believe it or
not, I anticipated that somebody might -- (Laughter and applause.)
Where was I? (Laughter.) That's why wefre going to keep on
fighting until the law no longer treats committed partners whofve been together
for decades like theyfre strangers.
Thatfs why I have long believed that the so-called Defense of Marriage Act
ought to be repealed. It was wrong. It was unfair.
(Applause.) And since I taught constitutional law for a while, I felt like
I was in a pretty good position to agree with courts that have ruled that
Section 3 of DOMA violates the Constitution. And that's why we decided,
with my attorney general, that we could no longer defend the constitutionality
of DOMA in the courts. (Applause.)
Now, part of the reason that DOMA doesn't make sense is that traditionally
marriage has been decided by the states. And right now I understand
therefs a little debate going on here in New York -- (laughter) -- about whether
to join five other states and D.C. in allowing civil marriage for gay
couples. And I want to -- I want to say that under the leadership of
Governor Cuomo, with the support of Democrats and Republicans, New York is doing
exactly what democracies are supposed to do. Therefs a debate;
therefs deliberation about what it means here in New York to treat people fairly
in the eyes of the law.
And that is -- look, thatfs the power of our democratic system. Itfs
not always pretty. There are setbacks. There are frustrations.
But in grappling with tough and, at times, emotional issues in legislatures and
in courts and at the ballot box, and, yes, around the dinner table and in the
office hallways, and sometimes even in the Oval Office, slowly but surely we
find the way forward. Thatfs how we will achieve change that is lasting -–
change that just a few years ago would have seemed impossible.
Now, let me just say this. There were those who doubted that wefd be
able to pass a hate crimes law. Occasionally I got hollered at about
that. After a decades-long fight, we got it done -- bring us closer to the
day when nobody is going to be afraid to walk down the street because theyfre
gay or transgender. (Applause.)
There were those said we couldnft end gdonft ask, donft tell.h And I
remember having events where folks hollered out at events.
(Laughter.) But we passed the repeal. We got it done. Wefre now
moving forward with implementing it. (Applause.) So wefre no longer
going to demand brave and patriotic Americans live a lie to serve their
country.
Folks like Captain Jonathan Hopkins, who led a platoon into northern Iraq
during the initial invasion, and quelled an ethnic riot, and earned a Bronze
Star with valor. He was discharged, only to receive emails and letters
from his soldiers saying if they had known he was gay all along -- that they had
known he was gay all along and they still thought he was the best commander they
had ever had.
Thatfs how progress is being won -- here in New York, around the
country. Day by day, itfs won by ordinary people who are striving and
fighting and protesting for change, and who, yes, are keeping the pressure up,
including pressure on me. And by men and women who are setting an example
in their own lives -- raising their families, doing their jobs, joining the PTA,
singing in church, serving and sacrificing for this country overseas, even as
they are not always granted the full rights of citizenship they deserve here at
home.
Last year, I received a letter from a teenager growing up in a small town,
and he told me he was a senior in high school, and that he was proud to be the
captain of a club at his school, and that he was gay. And he hadn't told
his parents. He hadnft come out. He was worried about being mocked
or being bullied. He didnft think it was safe to, in his words, gopenly be
myself.h But this 17-year-old also looked towards the day when he didnft have to
be afraid; when he didnft have to worry about walking down the hallway.
And he closed his letter by saying, gEveryone else is considered equal in this
country. Why shouldnft we be?h (Applause.)
So, yes, we have more work to do. Yes, we have more progress to
make. Yes, I expect continued impatience with me on occasion.
(Laughter.) But understand this -- look, I think of teenagers like the one
who wrote me, and they remind me that there should be impatience when it comes
to the fight for basic equality. We've made enormous advances just in
these last two and a half years. But there are still young people out
there looking for us to do more, to help build a world in which they never have
to feel afraid or alone to be themselves. And we know how important that
is to not only tell them that itfs going to get better, but to also do
everything in our power to ensure that things actually are better.
Ifm confident that we will achieve the equality that this young person
deserves. Ifm confident that the future is bright for that teenager and
others like him, and that he can have the life that he wants and that he
imagines.
There will be setbacks along the way. There will be times where things
arenft moving as fast as folks would like. But I know that hefll look back
on his struggles, and the struggles of many in this room, as part of what made
change possible; part of what it took to reach the day when every single
American, gay or straight or lesbian or bisexual or transgender, was free to
live and love as they see fit. (Applause.)
And we can look at the progress wefve made in the last two years, to the
changes that were led not by Washington, but by folks standing up for
themselves, or for their sons or for their daughters, fighting for whatfs
right. Not just change on behalf of gay Americans, but for everybody
looking to fulfill their version of the American Dream -- whether itfs the
students working their way through college, or the workers heading to factories
to build American cars again, or the energy entrepreneurs testing bold ideas,
the construction crews laying down roads, the small business owners and
scientists and inventors and builders and all those Americans who faced hardship
and setbacks but who never stopped believing in this country -– itfs capacity to
change; who are helping each and every day to rebuild this nation so that we
emerge from this period of struggle stronger and more unified than ever
before.
And thatfs the story of progress in America. Thatfs what all of you
represent -- of the stubborn refusal to accept anything less than the best that
this country can be. And with your help, if you keep up the fight, and if
you will devote your time and your energies to this campaign one more time, I
promise you we will write another chapter in that story. And we are going
to leave a new generation with a brighter future and a more hopeful
future. And Ifll be standing there, right there with you.
Thank you. God bless you. (Applause.) God bless the United
States of America. Thank you, everybody. Thank you.
(Applause.)
END
7:24 P.M. EDT