Last night in Denver, Michelle Obama declared "I love this country" as she sought to reassure the nation that she and her husband Barack share Americans' bedrock values and belief in a dream of a better future.

In the first major address at the Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama described herself as a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother, no different from many women.

She told a boisterous crowd waving signs reading "Michelle" that she and her husband feel an obligation to "fight for the world as it should be" to ensure the promise of a better life for their daughters and all children.

Michelle Obama talked about tucking in her daughters Malia and Sasha at night.

"I think about how one day, they'll have families of their own. And one day, they -- and your sons and daughters -- will tell their own children about what we did together in this election. They'll tell them how this time, we listened to our hopes, instead of our fears. How this time, we decided to stop doubting and to start dreaming," she said.

Michelle Obama's mission was to humanize her husband and persuade skeptical voters to look past his unusual name and exotic background to envision him as the next president. Barack Obama has repeatedly faced questions about whether he's a real American.

She also used the address to dismiss questions about her patriotism. Republicans have criticized her comments earlier this year that she was "really proud" of her country for the first time. Her answer at the convention was to express her love of country.

The Obamas' two daughters joined their mother on stage after the speech as Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" blared from in the convention hall.

*Nearly one year after Shaquille O'Neal filed for divorce, his wife Shaunie says the proceedings will be halted in the coming days and the couple will continue to try and work things out.

"Neither one of us could probably answer why we were getting one in the first place," Shaunie O'Neal told the Associated Press Thursday at the launch of her new video-sharing Web site.

"Things have been going so great, that someone actually had to remind us that 'Hey, you do remember those papers are still there.' Literally, it was days ago," said Shaunie. "So, we've agreed that before we leave Florida in a few days we'll make sure that that's gone away."

Shaquille O'Neal filed for divorce in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Sept. 4, 2007, after nearly five years of marriage. The petition stated: "The marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken" and Shaunie was "secretive about her assets ... particularly with respect to certain properties owned or titled in either [her] name alone or in other entities." He requested that the court require Shaunie to give a "correct accounting of all money, funds, stocks, bonds, and other securities (including bearer securities)."

Shaunie told the AP: "The kids and I kind of learned about the divorce at the same time. So that was hard. That was probably the worst part of the whole thing, was being able to deal with how hurt the whole kids were."

Shaq's divorce attorney, Ira Elegant, did not return a call to Reuters before press time.

Meanwhile, Shaunie's new video-sharing Web site, launching Sept. 1, is geared to showcase children and their talents in a kid-friendly, safe arena. The entrepreneur said she developed the idea because she wanted to be able to share her own children's activities with her family members.

"I get the complaint of 'Oh, I wish I could see that,'" she said. "There was nowhere I could find that was just safe, where maybe a slip of the finger would take us somewhere where I don't want the kids to see or hear."

*Isaac Hayes, an Oscar- and Grammy-winning music icon who helped to usher in the disco era, died Sunday afternoon after he collapsed near a treadmill, authorities said. He was 65.

The entertainer was pronounced dead at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis an hour after his body was found by a family member, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office said. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Sheriff's office spokesman Steve Shular said authorities received a 911 call after Hayes' wife, young son and his wife's cousin returned home from the grocery store and found him collapsed in a downstairs bedroom. A sheriff's deputy administered CPR until paramedics arrived.

"The treadmill was running but he was unresponsive lying on the floor," Shular said.

Hayes was preparing to record a new album for Stax, the soul record label he helped build to legendary status. And he had recently finished work on a movie called "Soul Men" in which he played himself, starring Samuel Jackson and Bernie Mac, who died on Saturday.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of Isaac Hayes, a true historic world music figure," said the Reverend Al Sharpton, in a statement to EUR, who was to dedicate his Sunday night radio program to the late artist. "Isaac Hayes was the first African-American to win an Oscar for a music score but never lost sight of his commitment to his community and the betterment of mankind. He was more than an artist he was a trailblazer, He was an innovator. He was a creative genius. I shall never forget how in the height of his career he still had time to work and lend his celebrity to those of us much younger and at that time who were totally unknown. Even in his later years he never hesitated to appear for a cause or endorse something that he felt was for the good of mankind. He will be sorely missed."

With his trademark shades, bald head and deep baritone, Isaac Hayes laid the groundwork for not just disco, but also what came to be known as urban contemporary. He co-wrote the Sam and Dave hits "Hold On I'm Coming" and "Soul Man." He reached his commercial peak in 1972 when he won an Academy Award for his No. 1 hit "Theme from 'Shaft."'

Younger audiences are more familiar with Hayes as the voice of Chef on Comedy Central's animated series "South Park." But he left the show a few years ago because he disagreed with its attacks on Scientology, the religious movement to which he belonged.

Hayes was born in 1942 in a tin shack in Covington, Tenn., about 40 miles north of Memphis. He was raised by his maternal grandparents after his mother died and his father left when he was 1 1/2. The family moved to Memphis when he was 6.

Hayes wanted to be a doctor, but those dreams ended and were replaced with musical aspirations after he won a ninth grade talent contest by singing Nat King Cole's "Looking Back."

He released his debut album, the poor-selling "Presenting Isaac Hayes," in 1968. He broke through the following year with "Hot Buttered Soul," which contained just four songs but sold over a million copies.

His work on director Gordon Parks' urban crime drama "Shaft," a project he had hoped to star in, was the first of many forays into movie soundtracks. He got in front of the camera for the 1974 cult classic "Truck Turner" and had kept busy with film work ever since, recently appearing in the hip-hop drama "Hustle & Flow."

Community activist Najee Ali says a candlelight vigil for Hayes, as well as Bernie Mac, will be held at 6 p.m. tonight in Los Angeles at 5th Street Dicks coffeehouse in Leimert Park (4305 Degnan Blvd.)

Meanwhile, in addition to Sharpton, some of Hayes' friends and professional associates have issued statements expressing condolences and shared their memories:

• Dionne Warwick, a former musical collaborator, released this statement to Access Hollywood: "I've lost one of my best buddies and it is not easy to reckon with," she wrote. "I know one can never put a question mark where GOD puts a period, so I will not question the Almighty's decision to call him home. We all know when that call comes we all will answer... Personally, my buddy will be missed for many reasons by me. He was 'family.' He will be a part of my musical life each time I sing the song 'Deja vu' as this was a birthday gift to me from him. His renditions of songs that I had recorded especially 'Walk On By,' in my opinion, 'the definitive version' will always be another memory each time I sing it, and the humorous side that he showed few (that I knew so well). My family and I send sincere heart felt condolences to his family for their enormous loss, and we will hold them in continuous prayer."

• African American Film Critics Association president Gil Robertson IV said: "The loss of Isaac Hayes less than 24-hours after Bernie Mac represents a major double blow to the entire entertainment industry, black Hollywood in particular. The art form and expressions created by Isaac Hayes in particular resonated not only in American pop culture but throughout American life. Both are talents that will be missed but always remembered."

• Neil Portnow, President/CEO, The Recording Academy: "Three-time GRAMMY® winner Isaac Hayes was a true renaissance man -- singer, songwriter, producer, session musician, actor, activist and more. After laying the groundwork for the Memphis soul sound through his work with Stax Records, his groundbreaking theme song and score for the movie 'Shaft' cemented his status as a musical icon. He was actively involved with our Memphis Chapter, sharing his creativity with established professionals and up-and-coming musicians alike. The world has lost a true creative genius and a passionate humanitarian, but his indelible legacy will remain ever present. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and all who were inspired by the man and his music."

"He opened his eyes on his own and looked at Rhonda. She called his name, and he opened his eyes and nodded to her," said Rhonda's younger sister, Mary Ann Grossett. "She smiled at him and told him, 'Don't leave me ... 'I'm waiting for you to come back.' He shrugged his shoulders, and she said that's when she knew he was tired. He signaled to her that his body was tired."

Mac, Grossett revealed, was hospitalized in Chicago on July 24, eight days before the date announced by his publicist. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and immediately placed on a ventilator. He died at 2 a.m. on Saturday.

The night before, "He struggled for his life. He couldn't breathe," said Grossett. The next day, doctors "were working on him. They tried to resuscitate him two times. One time he came back for about an hour. Then he went into cardiac arrest the second time."

Grossett said the last communication between Mac and Rhonda took place on July 31, one week after he was admitted to the hospital. "He told his wife [non-verbally] that he could breathe on his own, and he wanted the ventilator out. He motioned that he wanted it out," says Grossett.

Additionally, Grossett says Mac's inflammatory lung disease contributed to his death. "He had sarcoidosis, but it was in remission," she says. "But because he had it, his immune system was compromised. He had an infection ... He was on a new medication that suppresses the immune system, and that's where the pneumonia came from."

She says that doctors kept Mac sedated, although he was conscious at times and he contracted a second strain of pneumonia while in the hospital.

Of her widowed sibling Rhonda, Grossett says, "She's devastated. However, she's at peace about his transition because of her faith in God. Her faith is what is sustaining her."

A funeral for Mac is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15, at an undisclosed location. The family requests that donations be made to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis, 40 E. Ninth St., Suite 601, Chicago IL 60605.

Community activist Najee Ali says a candlelight vigil for Mac, as well as Isaac Hayes, will be held at 6 p.m. tonight in Los Angeles at 5th Street Dicks coffeehouse in Leimert Park (4305 Degnan Blvd.)

Some of Mac's celebrity friends, co-stars and professional associates have issued statements expressing condolences and sharing memories of the comedian:

• Samuel L. Jackson, his co-star in the upcoming film "Soul Men," says: "It goes without saying that Bernie was one of the preeminent comedians of our generation. He was also an attentive husband, a great father and loving grandfather. I feel blessed to have shared years of friendship with Bernie Mac, and I'm honored to have finally co-starred with him in what I consider to be his finest cinematic acting achievement. My sincere prayer is that his family will be comforted by the warmth of love from all of us who knew and respected this man."

• Don Cheadle, who starred with Mac in 2001's "Ocean's Eleven" and its two sequels, says: "This is a very sad day for many of us who knew and loved Bernie. He brought so much joy to so many. He will be missed, but heaven just got funnier."

• George Clooney, fellow co-star in "Ocean's" franchise: "The world just got a little less funny. He will be missed dearly."

• Brad Pitt, fellow "Ocean's" colleague, says: "I lament the loss of a ferociously funny and hardcore family man. My thoughts are with Rhonda and their family. Bernie Mac, you are already missed."

• Chris Rock: "Bernie Mac was one of the best and funniest comedians to ever live, but that was the second best thing he did. Bernie was one of the greatest friends a person could have. Losing him is like losing 12 people because he absolutely filled up any room he was in. I'm gonna miss the Mac Man."

• Cedric the Entertainer: "It's hard to put into words just how I feel and what a painful loss this is. Bernie was a brother, a friend and one of the comic masters of our time. Sharing the marquee with him during the phenomenon of the Kings of Comedy tour bonded us like family, and created a unique moment in comic history marking some of the most meaningful, memorable and fun times of our lives. His comedic approach was his own brand and will definitely stand the test of time. The level of his talent always inspired me and other comedians to 'bring their A-game.' I promise you that you never wanted to be the guy who had to follow Bernie's set! As a husband and father, he was THE MAN and my thoughts and prayers are with his family. He will truly be missed, but so well remembered."

• Niecy Nash, who played Mac's sister on 'The Bernie Mac Show,' recalls his knack for making fellow actors feel at home on the set. "When I showed up to work, he said something to me that had never been said to me on a set before. He said, 'Baby girl, the script here is not the Bible. Do you, and I'll follow. I got mine, you get yours.' When he said that, I knew everything was going to be all right. I was happy to have the freedom to make up some funny with him. It was simply delicious. My working experiences with Bernie were so amazing, that from that point on, I wouldn't have cared if he called me in the middle of the night to come and be in a scene where I didn't have anything to do but sit in the background and eat cereal. I would've just done it because I loved him like that."

• Jenifer Lewis: "Bernie's style of comedy was bold, courageous and revolutionary--I never knew anyone who loved to be funny as much as Bernie. He will most definitely be very missed."

• George Lopez: "He was one of those comics that was unique because of his approach, his look, his voice [and] the content of his material. Bernie fell into that category of people who were inherently different like when you saw them, you knew they were different and when they spoke, you knew they were different. As comics, we're all brothers. and I'll miss him a lot. He was a good friend of mine."

• Luke Wilson, Mac's costar in 'Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle,' told People: "He couldn't have been a nicer guy. He just seemed like a real family man and just a nice guy on the set, just very kind of normal guy."

• Carl Reiner, "Ocean's Eleven" costar, says: "It's a tremendous loss because of his age and the fact that he was such a vital, original human being. When I use the word 'original' I really mean it. He was like no other person I knew. He lived his life to the fullest, even when we were on the set of Ocean's. He had his own little apartment and he cooked and invited people to lunch every day and he had food that was for everybody. He made very exotic things. His conversations were always different than any conversations I had with anyone else. They were very family-oriented; he talked about his wife and children with such love and it's very hard to believe that he's not with us anymore."

• Kelly Preston and John Travolta: "We are heartbroken. He will be deeply missed. He was a wonderful, kind and gentle man."

• Fox Broadcasting Company and 20th Century Fox Television, home of "The Bernie Mac Show," stated: "Bernie Mac was a gifted talent whose comedy came from an authentic and highly personal place. He was a tremendous live performer and a wonderful actor. Fox was proud to be the home of The Bernie Mac Show, and all of us at Fox and 20th Century Fox Television extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Rhonda, and daughter, JeNiece."

• J.D. Hall, voice over actor who worked with Mac on an episode of Moesha, says: "He was a genuinely funny and nice guy. I say this because prior to working with him on the show, I had no knowledge of who he was and how well known of a comedian he was. But, unlike a lot of people at his level, he was very friendly, down to earth and accommodating. When our paths accidentally crossed about a week later at LAX airport, he greeted me as if I had been a life-long friend and I could feel the genuine warmth and sincerity of that greeting. May God have mercy on his soul."

• Irene Mama Stokes: Bernie Mac will be remembered. I met him on the set of Bébé's Kids, his words of encouragement helped me to continue to pursue my career in comedy. His comedy had an impact on our community and the world. He will truely be missed."

• African American Film Critics Association's Wilson Morales: "Bernie Mac had the ability to effortlessly make people laugh. He was an incredible talent with whom my colleagues and I in AAFCA always looked forward to covering. Bernie had a big heart and he will certainly be missed by the members of our organization."