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Here is the text from his speech, which he delivered today in a press conference in Marquette:

The people of Northern Michigan have provided me with the honor of representing them in Congress for the past 18 years. I am truly grateful for their support.

I have the distinct honor of serving as your Congressman longer than any other member in modern times - longer than Bob Davis, Phil Ruppe, or John Bennett.

When I first ran for Congress in 1992, I campaigned on a pledge to make affordable, quality health care a right, not a privilege, for all Americans. I promised the people of the First District that I would not accept the insurance that Members of Congress receive – the Federal Employees Health Benefit Package – until all Americans could have access to that same quality of care. For the last 18 years, I have kept that promise.

Since the day I took office, I have fought to improve the quality and accessibility of health care for people throughout Northern Michigan, and across this country. Despite many set backs, in the process and in politics, I never gave up hope, and I never gave in. As a result, we’ve made significant progress.

Today, in Northern Michigan, eleven Community Based Outpatient Veterans Clinics have been established to provide veterans with the care they need and deserve.
 
 
The Michigan Democratic Party will host a Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on Sunday, April 18th at the Cobo Center in Detroit. This is just one day after the Endorsement Convention and Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. All three Democratic candidates will participate.

The forum will be moderated by Party Chairman, Mark Brewer. Attendees will also be given the opportunity to ask questions to the candidates. The forum will run from 8:30a.m. to 10:00a.m.

Tickets will cost $20 if purchased before Monday, April 12th and $30 afterward. To purchase tickets or get more information, please click here. 
 
 
During the Bay County Young Democrat's March membership meeting, they announced their next scheduled Adopt-a-Highway clean up date to take place on April 15, 2010 at 5:00p.m. They also set a rain date for April 18, 2010 at 12:00p.m.

The BCYD's will meet at the Dutch Village, which is located on 2525 N Euclid Ave, Bay City, MI 48706-1106.

Last year, the Bay County Young Democrats signed up for 2 miles of highway on M-247 from the Bay City Limits to State Park Rd. It does not cost the BCYD's anything to belong to the program, because MDOT provides them with garbage bags and safety vests.

They are responsible for cleaning this area three times a year, during the months of April, July and September.

Besides the sense of satisfaction and pride the BCYD's have for our community, they are also contributing to the cleanliness and appearance of Bay County.

Please email them at youngdems@baycountydems.org for more information!
 
 
The Bay County Democratic Party's "Spring Fling" is now less than a month away! The event will take place on Friday, May 7th at the Double Tree Hotel. Tickets will be $100 per couple.

Don't forget to purchase your tickets for this spectacular event, you don't want to miss out!

Click here for more information. 
 
 
If the answer is "yes," you have a chance to win a Bob Young t-shirt compliments of the MDP. Today the MDP launched a new website in support of their ongoing campaign to oust Bob Young this coming November.

The web page includes a listing of poor decisions made by Bob Young and a new online contest in which participants are able to guess how many times Supreme Court Justice Bob Young has fallen asleep on the bench.The contest will begin today and end on May 1, 2010, so you have one month to submit your answers.

While your thinking about your answer, take a few minutes to read why you should send Bob Young a wake-up call in 2010.
 
 
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Republican Gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Mike Cox has decided to use taxpayer money to campaign for Governor. Cox is currently suing the United States government to block heath care reform in Michigan, which would have a devastating effect on  millions of Michigan residents.

Cox's decision to go to court will be used to get him all kinds of publicity during his campaign for the Republican nomination for governor.

What Cox wants to do:
  • Deny thousands of children access to heath care.
  • Refuse coverage of young adults by not allowing them to stay on their parents' insurance until age 26.
  • Allow seniors to lose Medicare prescription benefits.
  • Block tax credits for small businesses equal to 35 percent of the cost of insuring their employees.
  • Give insurance companies the power to drop you if you get sick or file too many claims.
This just goes to prove that Cox would rather promote his own political future than protect Michigan residents. We need a Governor who will care about Michigan residents and their needs, not someone who is more concerned about promoting their own political agenda. 

Let Cox know how you feel, call his office at (517) 373-1110. Remind him that he should be protecting Michigan instead of using this lawsuit as a cheap stunt to win his party's nomination for governor.
 
 
 
 
The 2010 Michigan Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Cobo Center in Detroit. This is also the same day as the Endorsement Convention.

Schedule of Events
Women’s Caucus Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.
Youth Caucus Reception, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Upper Club Reception, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, 6:30 p.m.

For tickets and sponsorship information, go to www.michigandems.com
 
 
The Midland County Democratic Party
Annual Pasta Dinner
Saturday, April 3rd, 2010

We have some fantastic candidates attending our pasta dinner this year. This is your chance to get to know these candidates and ask the questions you've wanted to ask about the issues you care about!

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero - Candidate for Governor
Richard Bernstein - Candidate for Attorney General
Geness County Prosecutor David Leyton - Candidate for Attorney General
Representative Joel Sheltrown - Candidate for the State Senate
Representative Andy Neumann - Candidate for the 36th State Senate
Toni Sessoms - Candidate for the 99th State House Seat

Time: 5:00 - 7:00p.m.
American Legion Post 165
5111 Hedgewood Dr., Midland

$10.00 per person or $20.00 per family, $7.00 for Students

Live music performed by Joel Sheltrown

Tickets may be purchased at the door!

To reserve or purchase tickets, please contact Deb Reeves at 631-3625 or by email habdeb@aol.com or at the Midland County Democratic Party Office at 711 Ashman Plaza (on Ashman between Union and Pine Streets)
Hours: Tuesday & Thursday from 12:00 - 5:00p.m.
 
 
For the first time in our nation's history, Congress has passed comprehensive health care reform. America waited a hundred years and fought for decades to reach this moment. Tonight, thanks to you, we are finally here.

Consider the staggering scope of what you have just accomplished:

Because of you, every American will finally be guaranteed high quality, affordable health care coverage.

Every American will be covered under the toughest patient protections in history. Arbitrary premium hikes, insurance cancellations, and discrimination against pre-existing conditions will now be gone forever.

And we'll finally start reducing the cost of care -- creating millions of jobs, preventing families and businesses from plunging into bankruptcy, and removing over a trillion dollars of debt from the backs of our children.

But the victory that matters most tonight goes beyond the laws and far past the numbers.

It is the peace of mind enjoyed by every American, no longer one injury or illness away from catastrophe.

It is the workers and entrepreneurs who are now freed to pursue their slice of the American dream without fear of losing coverage or facing a crippling bill.

And it is the immeasurable joy of families in every part of this great nation, living happier, healthier lives together because they can finally receive the vital care they need.

This is what change looks like.

My gratitude tonight is profound. I am thankful for those in past generations whose heroic efforts brought this great goal within reach for our times. I am thankful for the members of Congress whose months of effort and brave votes made it possible to take this final step. But most of all, I am thankful for you.

This day is not the end of this journey. Much hard work remains, and we have a solemn responsibility to do it right. But we can face that work together with the confidence of those who have moved mountains.

Our journey began three years ago, driven by a shared belief that fundamental change is indeed still possible. We have worked hard together every day since to deliver on that belief. We have shared moments of tremendous hope, and we've faced setbacks and doubt.

We have all been forced to ask if our politics had simply become too polarized and too short-sighted to meet the pressing challenges of our time. This struggle became a test of whether the American people could still rally together when the cause was right -- and actually create the change we believe in.

Tonight, thanks to your mighty efforts, the answer is indisputable: Yes we can.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama