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Michelle Obama Wraps Up 2-Day LA Visit

CENTURY CITY (CBSLA.com) — First lady Michelle Obama spent the last of her visit to Los Angeles speaking at two events benefiting causes she holds close to her heart.

Obama gave the keynote address at the Unite for Veterans Summit, with guests that included Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

"After everything they have done for us, the idea that any of our veterans are spending months or even years struggling to find a job is unacceptable. It's unacceptable," she said.

The event focused on ending homelessness among veterans.

Garcetti spoke about a challenge he recently launched to secure 100 companies to hire veterans.

"Many of whom are here today, from Aflac to Wells Fargo, have pledged to reach that goal by 2017, and to hire 10,000 veterans right here in Los Angeles," the mayor said.

Later in the afternoon, Obama spoke at an awards luncheon at the Grammy Museum in downtown LA.

The event aimed to incorporate more music education in the classroom.

"Studies show that kids who are involved in the arts have higher grades, higher graduation rates, higher college enrollment rates," Obama said.

Six-time Grammy nominee Janelle Monae performed a four-song set.

On Tuesday, the first lady took part in a Democratic National Committee fundraiser at the home of Michael Lombardo, HBO's president of programming, and his partner, architect Sonny Ward.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to return to Los Angeles next week for a pair of fundraisers.

He is scheduled to attend an event July 23 at the home of "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes. Tickets will range from $1,000 to $32,400.

The next day, the president is expected to attend a roundtable discussion with about 30 people at the home of Michael Rapino, CEO of Live Nation, with tickets costing $32,400 each.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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