Michelle Obama unveiled a plan to increase physical education in 50,000 public schools Thursday, extending the reach of her “Let’s Move” program.
Obama was in her hometown of Chicago for the second stop of her “Let’s Move!” tour, the latest in a series of public appearances that have set the tone for her second term agenda.
The new portion of Let’s Move would allow schools to apply for grants if their physical education requirements meet the program’s standards. Private companies will provide a total of $70 million, with sports apparel company Nike contributing $50 million of that over the next five years.
“I grew up just a few miles from where we are today, over on the South Side. You guys know my background — my family certainly wasn’t rich. Our neighborhood was just barely working class. I attended public schools all through kindergarten all the way up through high school.”
Obama said during the Chicago press announcement. “Back then, being active was a way of life.”
The Let’s Move initiative earned critics during the Obama administration’s first term, particularly for its implementation of low calorie lunches in public schools. The first lady has also been the target of complaints for her increasingly high-profile public persona.
A report from conservative group Judicial Watch estimates that Obama’s Let’s Move Tour will cost taxpayers at least $50,000 over the three-day span.
“The Obama White House wastes millions on nonessential luxury travel for the first family,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton told The Examiner. “Our military’s resources are being misused for luxury vacations and, in this instance, a PR opportunity for Michelle Obama.”
The first lady starred in a pair of public service announcements promoting Let’s Move with Sesame Street’s Big Bird earlier this month. She also presented this year’s Academy Award for Best Picture via video link.
But the appearances weren’t simply for fun, as Obama revealed her hopes for an ongoing relationship with Hollywood’s finest.
“We are going to approach those filmmakers to do things for kids in this country, and that’s going to be their hook. I want to connect with those people, and then I want to pull them in,” she told The New York Times prior to Thursday’s announcement.
Obama’s activities so early into the president’s second term reflects her high level of commitment to her programs. She has made it clear that her agenda involves making as large an impact as possible domestically, with children as her No.1 priority.
