First Lady Melania Trump celebrates 1 year of ‘Be Best’

“One year ago today, I announced Be Best, an awareness campaign dedicated to the children of this country and all over the world,” First Lady Melania Trump said today in the White House Rose Garden. “It continues to have one goal, which is to educate children and parents about the issues they face.”

Highlights: One year of First Lady Melania Trump’s “Be Best”

Broken into 3 pillars of protecting well-being, promoting online safety, and fighting opioid abuse among children and their families, “Be Best” is the First Lady’s signature White House initiative. In the past year, she has taken that message across both the United States and the world, including visits to 9 countries and a solo trip to Africa last fall.

After a year’s worth of hearing directly from children, parents, teachers, and professionals, the First Lady announced today that she’ll be expanding on some of these core principals to broaden the initiative’s reach even further. In the digital sphere, for example, Be Best will promote programs that encourage both online safety and digital citizenship in today’s technology-driven world.

Today’s anniversary celebration brought together participants with a mix of expert insight and deeply moving personal stories:

Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health, explained the importance of spiritual well-being for children today.
Microsoft’s Toni Townes-Whitley talked about the decades-long effort to protect children and teens online.
“America This Week” host Eric Bolling, who lost a son to accidental overdose, thanked the First Lady for helping lift the stigma on opioids.

“I am here with one goal, which is to help children reach their full potential so they can grow up happy, healthy and contribute positively to society and the world,” the First Lady said. “If we listen to our kids, whether it’s their fears, interests, ideas, or concerns, we can provide them the support and tools they need to thrive.”

Learn more about the First Lady’s signature initiative, Be Best.

Video of the day: Tiger Woods awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Last night, President Donald J. Trump awarded our Nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to one of the greatest athletes in American sports.

“Tiger Woods is a global symbol of American excellence, devotion, and drive,” President Trump said during the ceremony. Indeed, Tiger Woods transformed the game of golf as he reached new levels of dominance—and inspired a generation of young Americans to take an interest in the sport.

On Sunday, April 14, the country tuned in yet again, this time as Woods captured his fifth Masters victory. After being hampered by a string of significant injuries, last month’s win represented his first major title in more than a decade and his 15^th in total.

Off the course, Woods has been a devoted philanthropist. Junior golf programs across the country are supported by the TGR Foundation, and more than 165,000 students have been given a chance to pursue their dreams in STEM fields thanks to his Learning Lab.

“We are inspired by everything you have become and attained,” President Trump told Woods yesterday. “These qualities embody the American spirit of pushing boundaries, defying limits, and always striving for greatness.”

Watch Tiger Woods deliver remarks from the Rose Garden.

In photos: President Trump presents the Medal of Freedom to Woods