Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at the Summit of the Americas Spouses Luncheon

Los Angeles, California

I hope you all enjoyed our “Taste of LA” and your time with us this week in Los Angeles.  Thank you to all of the chefs and restauranteurs. 

And weren’t the earlier ceremonies and performances beautiful? Thank you to the Torrez Martinez Cahuilla Bird Singers for honoring us today, and to the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles.  

From the music, to the food, to our beautiful lunch by the ocean, last night’s very special dinner, to this incredible building, I’m proud to be able share these pieces of Los Angeles with all of you—a city defined by its diversity and enriched by people from throughout the Americas. 

Our time together this week has been very special for me as a First Lady and as a person. You’ve inspired me with your convictions, the power of your voices, and your desire to define platforms that serve your countries.  

Together, you have found ways to work across borders. It’s clear to me that, yes, we are here for the love of our husbands—but we are also here for the love of this work.   

I want all of you to know how much I value the opportunity to go beyond the surface and get to know you.  

Injustice and corruption. Poverty and pollution. Disease and despair. They aren’t contained by borders.   

We are connected. Especially, we in the Americas.  

If one nation is vulnerable to health crises, or poverty, it won’t be long before we see those same problems on our own doorsteps.  

When one nation embraces democracy, transparency, and respect for human rights, it becomes the living proof that governments can deliver for the people that they represent—inspiring others to follow their lead. 

When parents don’t have to worry about how they will feed their children, when they can work and stay in their home countries and build their communities, their children can learn and grow and become the leaders and innovators that we need. 

As spouses, we aren’t elected.

But we serve the people of our countries, too.

We can listen and learn from them in a way that few others can. 

We are “cable girls,” we’re connectors, right Yazmín?   

We witness the small miracles of compassion and generosity between neighbors—see their hearts and hopes.  

And we bring our talents and gifts to this role—even if there isn’t always a clear guide for it.  

We know what can happen when communities come together—how much can change when we work towards a cause that’s bigger than ourselves.  

And that’s why this summit—and the friendships we’re building here—matter so much. 

As Joe said last night at dinner: Politics is personal. It’s about relationships.  

And it’s been incredible to learn how much we have in common and to find places where we can work together. Because the foundation of our future together will be built on that common ground.  

As many of you know, I continue to teach English at a community college— 

so, poetry means a lot to me. And as I was thinking about all of you, a verse by Rumi came to mind.  

He wrote: “Let the beauty we love be what we do.” 

That’s what this is all about.  

So, thank you for being with us. And may the friendships we build live on long after our time here at the summit ends. 

All of you are in my heart and I hope our paths cross soon and often.   

May God bless you. 

Now, it’s my pleasure to introduce our final performance today:  

Gaby Moreno.  

Since moving to L.A. from Guatemala, Gaby has released 7 albums, earned a Grammy nomination and won a Latin Grammy.  

She explores themes of love and hope, and I’m excited to share her music with you today.  

Please welcome Gaby Moreno. 

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