A Call to Action from First Lady Michelle Obama

At the White House on July 10, 2013, First Lady Michelle Obama, Let’s Move! Executive Director Sam Kass, and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs David Agnew encouraged local elected officials in attendance and listening online to continue their good work and double down on their efforts. In her remarks, the First Lady said, “You all are at the forefront of this work, and we need you to continue to lead the way as we work to end our country’s epidemic of childhood obesity.  We are in the right direction, but we need more activity.  We need more leadership.”

She added, “So I want to ask you all to double down on this initiative, just to push a little bit harder on what you’re doing.  We need you to take the ideas and programs that you learn about here today and think about ways to adapt them for your own community if you’re not already doing it.”

Over 330 local elected officials from cities, towns, villages and counties across the country have committed to the five goals of Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties, but your assistance is needed in helping recruit many more. The First Lady encouraged more cities, towns and counties to join LMCTC: “We need you to reach out to leaders in neighboring communities.”

We, the National League of Cities (NLC), encourage you to respond to the First Lady’s call to action by reaching out to your peer elected officials in nearby communities to ask them to join Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties. NLC can provide you with recruitment materials, such as flyers, brochures and sample Powerpoint presentations.

As local elected officials leading the nation in efforts to reduce childhood obesity, you can help others ignite action in their communities and help them achieve their goals. Please contact us at lmctc@nlc.org if you want to learn how you can get involved.

Watch a video of the event. Read the transcript of First Lady Michelle Obama’s remarks.