Washington: US First Lady, Michelle Obama, on Wednesday showered praises on Hillary Clinton and said as secretary of state she is doing an outstanding work in the Obama administration.
"I think it`s fair to say that this woman (Hillary Clinton) here set the standard in her last post in a presidential administration and she is once again setting a terrific standard doing outstanding work as the secretary of state for the Obama administration," Michelle said at an award ceremony at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.
As she stood up to address the ceremony held to present awards to women from across the globe, Michelle said. "Let me thank my dear friend, Senator -- Secretary (Hillary) Clinton." The entire audience burst into laughter and there was a round of applause, as she said: "I almost said, President Clinton."
Michelle thanked Hillary for having helped her in settling in Washington. "Let me thank you for your friendship, thank you for your support, and thank you for your indispensable advice in getting me through this first year and helping me figure out how to get my family settled in our new life in DC".
Reminding the audience that this was for the second time that Michelle was present at International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony, Hillary said it is a tradition she really like because she is doing so much for women and girls not only in the US, but around the world.
"She (Michelle) inspires them. She challenges them. She exemplifies for them the kind of strength, warmth, and grace that so many of us see in her and aspire to for our own daughters. She has made the health and empowerment of young people, particularly young women, a centrepiece of her leadership," Hillary said.
"She and I agree on many things, but one that we particularly agree on is that every child should have the chance to fulfil his or her God-given potential."
"I just have to thank her for the mentoring programmes that she created at the White House, for the special project that she is doing now to tackle childhood obesity, and to really setting the standard for what we want to see in our own country and around the world as well," Hillary said welcoming Michelle to the State Department.
PTI
