7:30 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Michelle and I are extraordinarily honored as we host you, but most
importantly as we host President Calderon and First Lady Margarita Zavala.  Yes, I'm sorry,
please be seated.  We welcome them and the Mexican delegation for our second state dinner here
at the White House -- tonight, la Casa Blanca.  (Laughter.)  

In our visit to Mexico, the President and First Lady have treated me and Michelle to a
celebration of Mexico’s rich heritage -- including the stunning Anthropology Museum and some
wonderful mariachi.  Tonight we celebrate the bonds we share, as neighbors and as friends.

We celebrate all that Mexico and its ancient civilizations has given the world throughout
history -- advances in architecture and astronomy, mathematics and medicine, and of course,
some very good food -- including the “food of the gods”  -- chocolate.  (Laughter.)  

As Mexico marks the bicentennial of its independence and the centennial of its revolution, we
celebrate a proud people who have defined their own destiny, with patriots like Hidalgo and
Juarez, and giants in the arts and literature and science -- and like the United States, a
pretty good soccer team.  (Laughter.)    
We celebrate all that Mexican Americans have contributed to the United States -- leaders in
every segment of our society, including many of the guests who are here tonight, and a culture
that treasures family and faith.  Indeed, America is enriched by el sabor de Mexico. 

And we celebrate the partnership between our two countries. Mr. President, I must say it
again:  In the fight for your country’s future, you’ve shown extraordinary courage,
extraordinary bravery, and you and the Mexican people have a full and committed partner in the
United States.

As we look to the future, I’m reminded of all the young people who’ve become part of our
visits -- the children in Mexico City waving American and Mexican flags; the students who
shared their dreams with Michelle; and some very excited kids that, along with Michelle and
Margarita, did a little exercise today.  (Laughter.)  Each of those children has a dream.  And
yet we know that in life it’s not enough to want your dream.  As the extraordinary writer
Octavio Paz wrote in one of his poems, you must “deserve your dream.”

And so, Mr. President, I propose a toast -- to the dreams of our children.  Together, may we
realize those dreams.  And together, may we deserve them -- by going forward in partnership and
respect.    

Cheers.  Salud.

(A toast is offered.)

PRESIDENT CALDERÓN:  (As translated.)  Excellency, Mr. Barack Obama, President of the United
States of America; Mrs. Michelle Obama; ladies and gentlemen.  I thank President Barack Obama
and Michelle, and also to the people from the United States of America, for your invitation and
the generous hospitality with which we have been welcomed during this visit.

Your courtesy, Mr. President, as that that we have received from the First Lady, honor the
great friendship and partnership that brings our people together. 

Today I have once again seen that we share the hope to turn this relationship between the
people from the United States of America and the people from Mexico into an example of how much
can be achieved among neighbors when working together under the guidance of common ideals such
as peace, security, prosperity, freedom and democracy.

Today we promote the agreements and the actions of cooperation that our countries need in
order to face the new challenges to benefit fully of the enormous advantages as a result of
being neighbors and the long borderline that unites us. Today Mexico and the United States are
immersed in a new stage of cooperation, and we base our efforts in the principles of shared
responsibility, mutual respect and trust.

We fully understand that our joint work has a direct impact in both populations in its
well-being and happiness.  We are neighbors; we are partners; we are allies; and we are also
friends. 

I have said this, and allow me to repeat it:  We work with a certainty of what is good for the
United States of America is good for Mexico, and if we understand this, at the same time, what
is good for Mexico is good for the United States. 

I would like to congratulate the people of the United States of America for having a President
like President Barack Obama -- (applause) -- with his leadership, which is also very positive
and good for us, and at the same time, also congratulate you, Mr. President, for having a wife
and a First Lady like Michelle Obama.  (Applause.) 

Thank you for your hospitality and your friendship. 

(Continues in English.)  Mr. President, I like the phrase of Octavio Paz that one must deserve
their dreams -- or his dreams. I don't know if you and me deserve our dreams, but I know that
both of you -- both of us have dreams; those dreams are related with our people and we fight
every day in order to deserve those dreams.  And we will reach them.  (Applause.) 

I ask you now to raise your glasses in a toast for the happiness of both our great nations. 

(A toast is offered.)

END
7:44 P.M. EDT