Mrs. Obama Resumes Federal Agency Tour

By Ed O'Keefe

First Lady Michelle Obama with Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at department headquarters on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Alex Brand)

After a self-described "summer break," First Lady Michelle Obama resumed her tour of federal agencies on Tuesday with a visit to the Department of Health and Human Services.

The first lady focused most of her remarks on the "major public health threat" of childhood obesity, which in 20 to 30 years can morph into heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, missed days of work and lost productivity, according to a pool report of her remarks.

As recently as two years ago as a busy mom, she said she often turned to a drive-through window to feed Sasha and Malia, big fans of pizza and burgers. A warning from the girls’ pediatrician led her to change course.

“I was shocked. I felt we had our stuff together," she told the crowd at HHS headquarters' Great Hall.

The “ease” of the drive-through window had meant trips there “were like heaven,” she said. Now, if her daughters fight their servings of healthy food, she tells them, “You don’t have to like it. Just finish it.”

In her continuing efforts to tout her husband's accomplishments, Mrs. Obama also noted that economic stimulus plan sets aside $1 billion in funding for prevention and wellness programs.

Mrs. Obama was introduced by HHS chief Kathleen Sebelius and -- much like her previous visits -- was flanked on stage by 21 veteran HHS employees. (See a full list of them below.)

Obama singled out the current record-holder, Donald Abramson, a 62-year veteran who works for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“He still looks good,” she said of him. “Man. I can’t imagine doing something for 60 years.”

Veteran HHS Employees On Stage With Mrs. Obama:

Name	Agency/Office	Years of Service
Donald Abramson	Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services	60+
Brenda Brown	Administration for Children and Families	45
Bruce Craig	Administration on Aging	44
Ellis Paul Davis Jr.	Office of Public Health and Science	48
Dorothy Dillard	Office of Civil Rights	45
John Gallivan	Executive Secretariat	46
Elma Garnett	Administration for Children and Families	43
Vernell Lancaster	Office of the Secretary	42
Barbara Lewis	Administration on Aging	46
Franklin Marks	Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response	41
Naomi Miske	Office of General Counsel	41
Sylvia Jane Norris	Administration for Children and Families	42
Nancy Persun	Office of Public Health and Science	46
Patricia Pierorazio	Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services	50+
Linda Reeves	Office of the Secretary	41
Gwendolyn Robinson	Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management	41
Nehemia Rucker	Administration for Children and Families	44
Willie Shackleford	Administration on Aging	43
Raffie Shahrigan	Office of the Secretary	42
William Tate	Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services	50+