Letter from 'Little Miss Flint,' 8, Prompts President Obama's Visit to Flint

Updated at 12:58 p.m.

FLINT, MI – “Little Miss Flint” — 8-year-old Mari Copney — has President Barack Obama’s ear.

The plucky child activist, who was traveling with a busload of Flint residents to listen as Congress grilled Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder about his administration’s handling of the Flint water crisis, sent the president a letter asking if she could stop by the White House and met him and First Lady Michelle Obama.

As one of those most affected by the lead-tainted water — children, for whom lead poisoning can be a life sentence of emotional and intellectual problems — Mari told Obama what she’s doing to inform the world about the public health catastrophe in Flint:

“My mom said chances are you will be too busy with more important things, but there is a lot of people coming on these buses and even just a meeting from you or your wife would really lift people’s spirits. Thank you for all that do for our country. I look forward to being able to come to Washington and to be able to see Gov. Snyder in person and to be able to be in the city where you live.

Mom was right, and the visit didn’t happen.

But on Wednesday, the White House said Obama will travel to Flint on May 4 to meet personally with Little Miss Flint and hear first-hand from her and others about the public health crisis, receive an in-person briefing on the federal efforts in place to help respond to the needs of the people of Flint, and speak directly with members of the Flint community.

“Like you,” he promised, “I’ll use my voice to call for change and help lift up your community.”

Here’s the full text:

Dear Mari:

Thank you for writing to me. You’re right that Presidents are often busy, but the truth is, in America, there is no more important title than citizen. And I am so proud of you for using your voice to speak out on behalf of the children of Flint.

That’s why I want you to be the first to know that I’m coming to visit Flint on May 4th. I want to make sure people like you and your family are receiving the help you need and deserve. Like you, I’ll use my voice to call for change and help lift up your community.

Letters from kids like you are what make me so optimistic for the future. I hope to meet you next week, “Little Miss Flint.”

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

Image credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr / Creative Commons

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