First lady Michelle Obama says the difficulties that military veterans face securing jobs are "unacceptable."
Obama spoke Wednesday to a crowd of 900 business executives, politicians and community leaders at the Unite for Veterans Summit in Los Angeles.
The first lady also said that ongoing work in Los Angeles is essential to the administration's goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2015.
She is on a two-day swing through the city that includes a political fundraiser at the home of an HBO executive and a Wednesday luncheon honoring music educators at the Grammy Museum.
The first lady's comments come the same day that a top federal official acknowledged scandals at hospitals serving veterans have undermined trust in the agency that provides them health care.
Obama first delivered a speech an event that will try to find ways to provide opportunities for veterans to find employment and housing. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also addressed the audience at the Unite for Veterans event at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel in Century City.
At the Grammy Museum, she said the arts can transform fear and frustration into something meaningful, productive and beautiful, which all human beings need. Obama said 6 million American children attend schools with no art or music classes.
Southern California high school teacher Sunshine Cavalluzzi received the Jane Ortner Education Award at the private luncheon at L.A. Live's Club Nokia for incorporating music into economics lessons.
Singer-songwriter Janelle Monae accepted the Jane Ortner Artist Award, and followed with a high-energy set that included a cover of James Brown's "I Feel Good."
The first lady’s trip began Tuesday at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser at the home of an HBO executive.
Obama participated in a round table discussion, one in which guests paid up to $5,000 to take part in, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
President Barack Obama is expected to travel to Los Angeles next week for fundraising events. Tickets for each event will cost upwards of $32,000.
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NBC4 wire services contributed to this report.
