Michelle Obama Debuts New Hair, Delivers Pep Talk At Transportation Department (SLIDESHOW)

WASHINGTON — First lady Michelle Obama said Friday that the work of the Transportation Department touches the lives of every American and it will play a vital role in stimulating the country's economy.

Mrs. Obama also touted improvements in infrastructure that she said will come due to the $787 billion economic stimulus package her husband signed into law this week.

"Every day, you carry out the business of keeping America moving," Mrs. Obama told the agency's employees. "And now that President Obama has signed the Economic Recovery Plan into law, you will also help carry out the business of getting our economy moving again as well."

The first lady delivered the pep talk to federal workers, part of her tour of departments and agencies to thank employees for their work.

PHOTOS (SCROLL TO READ)

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As she spoke briefly to a crowd of employees in the department's atrium, other workers peered out windows from the floors above her to watch.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood introduced Mrs. Obama and commented on their mutual Illinois ties. LaHood served 14 years as a Republican congressman for Illinois; the first lady is a native of the state.

"Your visit sends a clear signal to all of us that we matter," LaHood told her.

Mrs. Obama said she and the president appreciate the commitment and sacrifice public servants make at their jobs, which is one reason she has decided to visit each agency.

The first lady has also greeted workers at the departments of Education, Interior and Housing and Urban Development. On Thursday, she stopped at the Agriculture Department to hand over a seedling from a magnolia tree on the White House lawn.

"Just know that we value you, that America values you," Mrs. Obama said at Friday's stop. "And together, we can get this country moving again."

Comments

[Wang111]

Speaking of Mrs. Obama:

Michelle Obama is a racial-minority individual, and in her heart and mind she inevitably does not endorse hate crimes committed by George W. Bush.

George W. Bush committed hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism (indicated in my blog).

George W. Bush did in fact commit innumerable hate crimes.

And I do solemnly swear by Almighty God that George W. Bush committed other hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism which I am not at liberty to mention.

Many people know what Bush did.

And many people will know what Bush did—even to the end of the world.

Bush was absolute evil.

Bush is now like a fugitive from justice.

Bush is a psychological prisoner.

Bush has a lot to worry about.

Bush can technically be prosecuted for hate crimes at any time.

In any case, Bush will go down in history in infamy.

Submitted by Andrew Yu-Jen Wang
B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1996
Messiah College, Grantham, PA
Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA, 1993
______________________
I am not sure where I had read it before, but anyway, it goes kind of like this: “If only it were possible to ban invention that bottled up memories so they never got stale and faded.” Oh wait—off the top of my head—I think the quotation came from my Lower Merion High School yearbook.

[deliziosa]

I love it, she has the perfect neck for that style...

[Kiku]

It took $2000 suits custom fit, and the best make up artists in the US to make Sarah look good. Michelle does it on $150, that's true beauty.

[Troutboi]

Isn't Michelle Cool or what? I'm very happy our new First Family!

[Halter]

Chitown has great public transportation (and great cab service too.) It would be wonderful if public transportation were a priority everywhere.

[abliss2379]

Chicagoans aren't so impressed with our public transportation--yet another doomsday of service cuts looms, according to news reports, little more than a year after the last doomsday was barely avoided.

[KaLaPa111]

Sounds like NYC ... except in addition to service cuts, we also get to have our fares raised. Isn't life grand.

[miocid31]

amazing, i don't recall ms. bush doing anything like this...

[IndyReader]

The only thing the Obama's riding public transportation would do is run the normal riders off via SS orders so the first couple/prez/FL can be safe. Somehow that defeats the purpose of taking mass transit, including Amtrak. Not even Biden rides the train to work any more.

[Law35]

They're doing a better job than any first family has thus far. You can't help but be a hater huh? Get over yourself. Once you let go of your ignorance and apparent disdain of the Obamas, whatever your reason, you'll see that they actually care about "people" and not just what's good for them or their pockets. She's a wonderful person, a class act and a fabulous first lady.

[Barrister2010]

stunning!

[davegoody]

As part of promoting mass transit, I'd like to see either of the Obama's and others from the administration ride the Washington Metro subway at least once and preferably more, and also do other such things like taking Amtrak and even the occasional local bus.

[afgail]

The point is that the Obama adminstration has a strikingly different attitude from the Bush administration. Bush had disdain for the federal government in general and public employees in particular. The Obama administration views the federal government as a crucial catalyst to our economic recovery and public employees as the army that will carry out the social contract that underpins his programs - regulation of financial markets, job generation, saving people from home foreclosure, new road and bridges, clean safe environment, energy without green house pollutants, expansion of health care to name a few.

[mistlesuede]

I love Michelle. She makes me feel proud of women and America.

[plages]

Stunning lady, and stunning comments!

[simohn1]

Michelle Obama has done more in 100 days than Laura Bush did in 8 yrs. Let's not forget, it's great to look good, but it's what you do as a person and how you behave in the world that matters. (Manners anyone?) Beside, Michelle always looks great, haircut or not.
Now, if they could bring our solders back to help build up our infrastructure, get passenger trains running across American again, Get the oil out of the ground in Colorado and other states where we have millions of barrels, regulate everything as it was before "Reagan" and get rid of the greed swarming around our CEO's (give back the money dudes), nationalize the banks and health care, we'd have something goin' on in this great nation of ours!!

[blaharumph]

did she cut it or is it slicked back?

i hope she didn't cut it, as it was versatile...
and to not be able to put it in a ponytail is quite annoying.

[mypov123]

I don't think she cut it, it's just pinned up.

But really, should her hair and clothes be the focus all the time?? lol.

[Kiku]

It's fun, and a much needed distraction. She can be beautiful and do beautiful things at the same time.

[simohn1]

I don't think she was there to have you talk about her hair! Shut up and think...

[wagadog]

Um...why are we focusing on what she was wearing rather than what policies she's promoting?

She's dressed like someone who expects to be taken seriously.

So take her seriously. This is Department of Transportation, not Fashion Week coverage.

...unless you really WANT your bridges to continue to fall out from under you, America, APPRECIATE the fact that she's bringing some attention to these issues.

K?

[dct1999]

Good points, well said.

[Wuzzup]

Is it only me but dosen't MO look a Dude in the above foto....just saying.

[dct1999]

It's just you.

You think the cross-eyed, wide-jawed, mustache wearing Palin is good looking. That proves you suffer from a serious lack of judgment.

[Wuzzup]

W T F! Buy a set of glasses or change what you are currently using....PALIN IS HOTTTTTT!!!

[sandpiper1]

I think she looks fab as usual. I like her hair pinned up..very elegant and sophiscated.
The brooch adds a bit of colour to the dark houndstooth suit. I'm glad she's into brooches, now we can all start wearing ours again..YES!!! I have some really lovely ones, mainly antique looking. Thanks Michelle. You're one hot mama!!!

[LynndaMaree]

No she doesn't, but yo momma looks like yo dadee.

[generationyes]

LOL!