this is a challenge, but indian people and indian nations have faced challenges forever. our nation to nation relationship presents a unique responsibility and great opportunity. that is the gateway of a new era to opportunity and self-reliance. today, we call on our federal partners to clear the way for us to expand economic opportunity through entrepreneurism so that we might compete. clear the way for us to develop energy on our own lands, build commerce and create jobs so that we might contribute to the economy of america. we can create more opportunity for energy independence and a larger recovery, clear the way for us to build public infrastructure for our communities so that our children might thrive in our culture and reach all of those around us,

clear the way for us to build new communities. .. the state of indian nations is strong. the opportunity of the new era

depends on governing wisely. i want to thank you for being here today. god bless america and the indian nations as we prepare for this new era and will make this great promising journey together. thank you. [applause] [applause] >> thank you. wow. it's now my honor to introduce the senior senator from alaska, senator lisa murkowski. senator murkowski will deliver the congressional response. and i want to say that senator murkowski as a long-time partner of tribal communities and was the 2009 reset the ant of ncai's

congressional leadership award. and a strong partner in the successful passage of the tribal law and order act. please join me in welcoming a true champion and a friend for indian country, senator lisa murkowski. [applause] >> thank you and good morning. jefferson, i am indeed humbled and honored this morning to provide a congressional response to your comments on this stage of the indian nations address. president keel has introduced me, but i stand before you this morning with a special

recognition. it was less than a week ago when i was back home in the state that i was a tot did into the clink tribe, a member of the day should time clan, the raven clan and given a new name, and name that i am honored to present to you, oshawa key, which means lady of the land. and as one who has been blessed to have been born and raised in my state, to be welcomed into the clink at tribe to be given a name of this honor is really quite something for me. so i thought it would share that with you this morning as you introduce me and my biodata. but it's been eight years now since i've been in the united states senate. i'm exceptionally proud to represent my state. alaska has the greatest per capita population of any state

in the union. they served on the indian affairs community since my very first day in the united states senate and i hope to continue in that committee for many years to come. president dream to come you got it right and reflecting on the success of indian country in advancing the agenda before congress in our 2009, 2010 session. i think it's important to note that the seeds of the state trees were planted many, many years before we harvested the success of our labors. it took more than a decade of hard, hard work by ncai from the national indian health board and the national health committee to get the improvement act to the president's desk and it took a long time, but we're successful with that. the tribal law and order act was first introduced back in 2008 when i was vice-chairman with

senator dorgan on the indian affairs committee and worked with him to advance that bill. that was signed last year. for a number of years, the members of his staff at the indian affairs committee had been working very hard, very aggressively to explore the various options to resolve a call about lawsuits and that settlement, again, was finally approved last year. looking back a few more years, we were successful in reauthorizing pasta. we also came together to honor the legacy of mr. martinez as the reauthorized native american languages that. even -- even in the most partisan in the senate environments that we see today, i think that it is fair to care darius the senate committee on indian affairs as one of the most project of committees in the entire senate. and the secret to our success is that we work together. we work together.

[applause] woodworker crosses party lines all of the time for the benefit of native people. and this is not only a testimony to the strong leaders who have guided the committee, people like daniel in a way, and ben nighthorse, john mccain, byron dorgon. it's also a testament to the expertise, dedication and teamwork of the individuals who have served on the staff of the indian affairs committee. now, it's very gratifying to learn that the new leadership in the house of representatives has paid increasing attention to the needs of american indians and alaska natives as well. you've heard that the house resources committee has reconstituted its subcommittee on american indian and alaska native affairs and i'm pleased that the committee will be chaired by my colleague, don young of alaska.

[applause] don has been an ardent supporter of the indian health care, longtime supporter of the hawaiian reputation bill. even individuals who understands and defends the economic development communities that are created by indian gaming, and important government contracting preferences afforded to american indian, alaskan natives and native hawaiians under the aa program. i think congressman young will be a strong partner in the years to come and i wish him great success in his new leadership role. now while we have accomplished a great deal and is less of a years, as president keel has noted there so much work to be done in spite of all of our successes, native people continue to die from diabetes near two times more than other americans. deaths from vehicle crashes or two times higher. a native person is twice as likely as another american to be

the victim of aggregated assault. our native people have led the nation embrace unemployment and lack behind in measures of family income. 15% live in overcrowded homes. 14% have no access to electricity. 12% live in homes without plumbing. and even as the president promises to bring broad and internet to every corner of the nation within the next five years, i think it's noteworthy to recognize that nearly one third of native homes have no access to telephone service available today. so at the dawn of the telephone service, how are we going to connect to? we have so much work to do and will work hard to get it done. but we will be undertaking this work in a period of great financial stress for nation. on tuesday at the state of the union address, the president spoke of freezing total federal spending for the next five

years. some of my colleagues are talking about even more stringent caps. spend no more than we did in 2008 or perhaps no more than we did in 2006. and the key question is how will this affect funding levels for federal indian programs? i understand this is a cause of great anxiety throughout indian country. indian programs remain the most underfunded programs in the entire federal government. in spite of the administration's efforts to improve funding for indian health services, but we recognize it's quite significant. the same can be said for nearly every other federal indian program. in an era where the federal spending pot is shrinking, competition for a slice of the pie will be fierce. but our resolve to fight for the funding levels must remain high. we cannot be deterred in our fight to achieve the funding

levels that are native people deserve. funding levels that are proportionate to the challenges that we face in indian country. funding levels that are not eaten up by inflation. now, relatively speaking, funding for federal indian programs of mall in the overall scheme of the federal budget. but in times of deficit, as as we see now extraordinary high deficit, congress fights the hardest over which of these small items defined. and you need to fight hard to keep which you have an even harder to get what you need. so here's a thought on how we might get there and president keel touched on this. i ask you to think back to this spring and summer of 2009. there is a common theme among many of the campaigns of those who challenged incumbent members of the house and the senate. in that theme was that the federal government should only

spend for the constitution provides the conference with the clear authority to do so. spend only on those things that the framers intended to be federal responsibilities. some of the new senators and many of the new republican members of the house of representatives ran on a specific platform. now it's every student a federal indian policy knows, the well-being of america's native people is a uniquely federal responsibility. a federal responsibility and only a federal responsibility, not a state responsibility. the federal indian programs that we fight hardest to find were created to fulfill the trust responsibility between its nation and its first people. authority to fund those programs derived from three distinct provisions of the constitution, the indian commerce club, the treaty cause and the property

clause. this is not nice to have spending. this is must have spending, to fulfill the trust responsibility that is founded within the constitution. [applause] so my suggestion to you, as you visit the offices of my colleagues this year, i invite to come to keep your handy dandy copy of the constitution with you, bookmark the provisions that i've discussed. i think that would be helpful as you point out, that obligation there. i'd like to mention a few personal priorities for the 112 congress. just as we came together several years ago to fight the high rates of diabetes that plague our native communities, we must come together now to attack the high rate of suicide that plagues american indian and alaska native views. indian youth have the highest

rate of suicide among all ethnic groups in the united states. overall and alaska, we have the second-highest rate of suicide in the united states, twice the national average. on the north slope and western alaska, the suicide rate is five times the national average. we're not alone. while the indian -- the alaska indian has historically suffered from higher rates of youth suicide than the other indian health services region, the aberdeen and tucson health services region are not far behind. each last native life is a tragedy in its own right and we must do all that we can to prevent every incident of suicide. that we will not be allowed in our quest to bring these unacceptable rates of indian youth suicide under control. uncovered 28, the aspen institute will announce the launch of its new center for

native american youths under the leadership of our friend, senator byron dorgan. this new program is a centerpiece of senator dorgan's legacy to the well-being of our native people. it will be a center that is committed to improving the overall health, the safety and well-being of native youth and notably the prevention of youth suicide. so i look forward to working with senator dorgan identified those strategies that have truly made a difference in preventing suicides among are native youth and forming new strategies towards these ends. [applause] president keel also mentioned the significance of energy. and as we watch with growing concern the energy prices rising again, it's important that we once again focus on the relationship between energy costs and the economic sustainability of our native

community. india land contains an estimated 10% of all energy resource is in the united states and yet energy resources on native lands are vastly undeveloped. i am one who believes that america needs all of the above energy approach. oil gas, coal, alternatives, renewables and all of the above means that we must -- we must include indian country and our national energy policy. we must support our native people and their energy resources on native land, whether for use in native communities or whether to generate income to support our tribal governments and our cable enterprises. and i hope will work together to make this a reality. and finally, we need to continue our efforts to ensure that american indians, alaska natives and native hawaiians continue to have access to the sba's u.k.

government contracting program. [applause] thanks. we recognize the significance of this program. it has been a significant economic for native hawaiian entities and for the growing number of tribes that are taking advantage of it. and i think it will be an important -- increasingly important economic opportunity for tribes in the years to come, providing that congress doesn't pull the ladder up. so we need to be working together again to ensure the effect of ms. of this. not that draw my comments to a close by expressing my appreciation to ncai for all that it does every day for the betterment of our native people. ncai is a powerful voice on capitol hill, for the interest of our native people. it is involved in so many

different ways and you don't want to start down the list of other things that they do because they knew the something out. but i want to take just a quick moment to highlight one of the programs that i've come to learn a little bit more about in these recent months and that is native vote. nader vote is a national nonpartisan effort to encourage native people to take control of their destiny by registering to vote and turning out each november. native votes does not endorse particular candidates, but it does provide a strong incentive for candidates at every level to take the concern of their native constituents. he. and if you ever wonder about the success of a program, if you ever wonder whether native votes works, look no further than alaska and the lisa murkowski of writing campaign.

[applause] [cheers and applause] gas, yeah. i will tell each and everyone of you that my success in winning days historic making campaign would not have been possible. it would not have been possible if alaska's native people did not turn out at the polls, did not energize, did not come together as they did and it deeply, deeply appreciate the trust that alaska native people placed in me. i appreciate so much the support from the love that i've received from our native people as i have advocated on your behalf these past eight years. i pledge to keep the interest of the native people in the forefront of my mind as they continue my work in the united states senate or with his last six years. i look forward to working with each and every one of you in the coming years to improve the condition of america's first people. thank you, good morning.

[applause] >> thank you. this is just an incredible morning to hear the state of the indian nation from president jefferson keel, congressional response from senator lisa murkowski. we have much to be grateful for this morning and much to be humbled by for having them be our leaders and champions today. in addition as our introductions , late arrival, but very significant arrival to her form here today. senator akaka, who i'm hoping will be announced team -- [applause] that he will be the new chair of the senate community union

affairs. thank you, senator akaka for joining us this morning. i appreciate that. but this time when i opened to questions from the press if there are any questions. yes, please state -- wait for the microphone and say who you're with. do not jamie, northwest broadcasting. for president keel, in regards to each branch of government, judicial, legislative and executive, is very simple but necessary list for each one that you would like to have in terms of cooperation? something that indians would like to be looking for in the next coming year? >> well, i think in terms of the u.s. congress, indian issues are not partisan issues. we look forward to working with the new incoming congressional leaders, those who have been recently elected are just now joining congress. we look forward to coming with and visiting with them giving

you not necessarily an education package, but talking to you about the importance of indian country, what our issues and concerns are, what our priorities are and how we can work together to make sure that we can continue to advance the interest of indian country. and you know, as far as having a list of those items, everything in indian country is a priority. all of our programs, from health care, housing, education, all of those things can't economic growth and opportunity, those provide for the betterment and elevating the overall quality of life. >> jackie come anything you want to answer? >> in addition, our fair board met yesterday and put together some of the things we know this country will be contemplating going to be old to be part of

the agenda. on the talk about competition of course for dealing with education and those kinds of programs that will help our work for us develop. you heard over and over this morning about the opportunity that we can bring into the energy arraignment -- energy environment. but on top of that, we also know we need just a basic economic developing tools, ability to do a tax incentive, tax bonds, things that will be able to help our communities. we're looking forward to the education reauthorization. we believe we have a lot to offer to that arena, too. other questions from the press? yeah. >> hi, laurie taylor friends public media. thank you for broadcasting on our station. my question is to president keel. the obama administration is relying more on the bipartisan fiscal commission.

has ncai reached out to the commission and can you tell us a little bit about that relationship if you do have one? >> well, we've not reached out directly to the commission at. we intend to come as jackie mentioned, our board has met and we've developed some priorities and a list of action items that we want to present to them. that we want to explore ways that we can be involved. we expect to be at the table in these future negotiations. one of the things that we've asked for, even in the presidential summit in december, the president agreed with the tribal leaders that the office of management and budget would develop consultation arrangements with tribal leaders and tribal governments across the country. that is something that's been missing and been needing for a long time. tribal governments as you've

heard offer tremendous potential in terms of advancing the economic growth in this country do we want to be part of that. i will look forward to working with members of the commission as soon as we can get with them in sitting and discussing what we feel is the best we've portray leaders to be involved in a discussion. thank you. she's heard he the mic. >> good morning and thank you for your time. and libby casey with the alaska public radio network. as native tribes and corporations approach congress and approached the white house, do they need to take different tactics? should there be a division between the corporations are looking for versus tribes to make sure the tribal voice is heard? and alaska, the corporation voice is often not very expressive and heard very loudly. >> you know, thank you for the

question. the tribal organizations around the country are represented by tribal leaders. we've worked very hard in the past several years is to refine our message into one united message to congress. as we walked the halls of congress and we visit with different congressman, who want to make sure places not only united, but consistent. we want to make sure that her voice is strong and that our communities are represented by different interests in many ways. and the bipartisan support that we get in turn says indian programs and services, they can't be fragmented. so we have to be consistent and strong. corporations, the alaska native corporations -- i know jackie and many others can talk about that much better than i can because i'm not part of that, but they do represent tribal

interests. because they represent indian people in native people. so we worked together with them to make sure that our voice is strong, but our message is united and refined to the point where we have a consistent united message to congress on how we can develop our resources and manage our affairs. >> john tanner, american indians casing. thank you very much. the opportunity within the department has identified hundreds of billions of dollars of energy that can be generated on sovereign indian land. one of those requirements is going to have clean, green, smart grid. if we have that out there, it's like they're proposing on transportation. that will open up hundreds of billions of dollars in towards the opportunity of the casinos

and onto her ability to rise as indian nations. what are we doing in that arena to be able to make sure the federal government can you say, which we can meet a whole if energy needs. 37 tribes with the search of already tendering traditional. we had to gut the new green. we'll have hundreds of new tribes with dave lester and the council energy of resources. >> let me just -- i'll speak to that very briefly and i may ask jackie to step in because she has been working on our policy -- energy policy for any country. but what you just mentioned was exactly our problem in developing the grid. the greatest out there, but tribes have been -- not been able to access data. we can't get on the grid. so the help we need is to allow congress to allow us to get access to the grid.

we are tribal nations around the country -- across the country but i've tribal utility authorities. they've already develop those. the chickasaw tribe were utility authority is one example of that. they are doing great work managing and contributing greatly to our own economy. but it's about access to the great, it's very difficult for us to compete, particularly with larger corporations. so i'm going to ask jackie to maybe say something on our policy on that. >> thank you. yes, in addition to access to the grid, to build the capacity in many countries is a real important component. we've been working for the last several years of many folks across the country and put together what was the proposed bill that senator dorgan was slated in the american indian affairs. of course the bill got introduced but didn't to mark a period within that bill we have a variety of options, those that do a tax and economic tools,

capacity building, does it do with energy resources and alternative energy resources. of course are looking forward to sharing with congress this session and trying to get some of those pieces in that good. >> hide, jefferson -- i mean, president keel. speaking of challenging budgetary times, the house study committee has put out a list of programs and projects at the plate to eliminate or cut back in order to hope these deficits. one of the ideas they have is the elimination of the bia and then the manager at which he tried. what do you think of that idea? [laughter] >> wow, is assistant secretary of quahog care? [laughter] let me tell you that tribes have

for years, for decades -- we've had difficult relationships with the euro of indian affairs, not that hero of indian affairs is inherently bad, but the regulations in the bureaucratic challenges that tribes have faced. there are tribes across the country that are self-governing tribes. they have proven that they can govern their own affairs, they can manage their own affairs. so for them, we ask that the self-governance policy be expanded to allow tribes to govern themselves, to develop not only contracts with the federal government, but to be able to develop their own programs and services to provide assistance. tribes of proven that they can do more with less money than the

federal government, primarily because of the type of organizations that we have. we're not talking about a lot of federal bureaucratic employees. not that that's bad, but if were talking about shrinking the size of government, then, you know, we are talking about allowing the tribes to truly govern their own affairs. and so, we think that's good. now, doing away with the bureau of indian affairs, i won't even go there. thank you. anyone else? >> mr. president, just want to once again welcome all of our web watchers right now. we have over 500 people now watch in on the web and we have two questions that have come from there, president, would like to ask you. one, how is ncai implementing the tribal law and order?

and then i'll ask the other. >> that's a great question. the tribal law and order act modernizes and proves our jurisdictional authorities within indian country. one of the first things we did once that law was given time into law by the president was to coordinate a meeting between the folks from the justice department and the bureau of indian affairs in the interior department to talk about what the challenges are and how do we bring those -- bring those programs together? is very, very difficult. it's going to be very expensive for tribal governments as many of the tribal courts didn't have access to the type of jurisdictional things that they needed. so we are working to bring those people together to talk about how we can improve not only

coordination, but collaboration and partnering to get these things implemented here it is going to take some time and tremendous work, but we're working towards that. the other question was -- >> the other question was what is the most important outcomes that came out of the last presidents tribal nation summit? >> i think the most significant thing that i can recall is that the president agreed that when the tribal leaders asked him to include consultation with the office of management and budget, that he agreed that he would make that happen, that the office of management and budget is in fact a federal department. they are subject to the president and they do have significant impact on tribal programs and services and that

they would be included in the consultation arrangements. let me say something about consultation while i'm on that subject. consultation -- consultation is supposed to happen before a decision is made. historically, decisions have been made. announcements are made in minute amounts and defend. tribal leaders have never been at the table prior to an important decision being made or announced by the federal government. so the true -- and the true spirit of consultation, tribal leaders need to be at the table when these important programs and decisions are being formulated, before they are made. they need to be part of the process. and so, i think that was a

significant point made by the president at the last tribal nation summit. thank you. >> is there any other questions on the prize? a question up there, yes. >> rudy sutter, america needed leadership program. the question is i have show called, harvard university president wrote an article suggesting that a new congress is moving away toward self-rule for tribes due to, you know, the fact that the tribes in a sense are advancing in our kind of reining in. why is that? >> i'm going to punt. i'm going to ask for some help. >> well, we do see that trend and i'd say not only in congress, but also the courts, which is very significant to us. it takes several years chief

justice breyer came to our council winter session. and not the time we were losing in the supreme court, you know, cases right enough. indian country was concerned about how to protect our sovereignty? at what he said to us is that there is a letter grade matter because there's so many unique tribes in so many differences between alaska and oklahoma and california do we have to have all these very fluid kind of regulations and fluid kind of program development and actually a little fluidity in our laws. and so, he told us at that point that tribal leaders said it will be a challenge. you will be a day that you need to start working with congress to clear up the gray matter. i remember him using the word gray matter as unimportant. i see that is happening with congress right now. there are tribes that really has built up our capacity and are self determination and have taken on the role that the federal government hasn't been doing it in our own communities.

and that's the time or i think congress wants to try to define what that is. we've become a competitor in our communities, a competitor sometimes with other governmental services, but it really is about self empowerment and sometimes -- you know, sometimes it's a control issue. so thank you. >> i really appreciate that question because we did -- something i said earlier, we have some bright students here. thank you for exhibiting not been reinforcing what i said earlier about her student. thank you. we have one last -- [inaudible] okay. >> we are cutting for web service. i want to thank those across the nation by radio. think negative one, those on the web line. we will continue to take questions after this is over. thank you once again for joining us for the 2011 states of the indian nations.

[applause] >> thank you. [applause] >> a lot of the actions that harry truman took made my life easier as president and therefore many of the decisions i made through executive order are the most controversial decisions i made to executive order commonsense she's listening to the phone calls of people who might do us harm or has interrogation techniques became the law of the land. in other words, after the 04

elections -- and after the 06 elections, i went to congress and said, we need to ratify through legislative action, that which i've done within the constitution by executive order. and so, congress, in spite of the fact that we had been dumped, passed law that now enables the president to have the certain tools. and people say why didn't he just evander executive order? the reason lies in some cases it might be to her politically for a president to put out an executive order, that for example, authorized enhanced interrogation techniques. but if our law of the land pass by a legislative body, it might be easier for the person to use that technique. >> see the entire interview sunday night at 8:00 eastern and pacific on c-span's q&a.

>> we take you not to state capitol in atlanta for the maturation of georgia's 82nd governor, nathan deal, the state's third republican governor. because of severe weather in atlanta on inauguration day, was moved inside the state capitol to the house of representatives. our coverage comes to us from georgia public drug testing. it's just under an hour. [applause] [applause] [applause]

[applause] [applause] [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please be seated as a welcome mrs. kb deal. ♪ georgia, georgia, the whole day

through. ♪ that old sweet song, sweet georgia, on my mind. ♪ i said georgia, georgia, a song, with the sweet and clear and through all time. ♪ other arms reach out to me, other eyes smiled tenderly.

♪ new band, peaceful dreams i see, back to you. ♪ i said not georgia, georgia, what peace i find, as that old sweet song keeps georgia on my mind. ♪ [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the speaker of the house of

representatives, the honorable david ralston. [applause] [cheers and applause] >> on behalf of all the members of this body, the house of representatives, it is my honor to welcome you to the chamber of the georgia house of representatives for this very, very special occasion. today we celebrate a time-honored tradition in our state government. the people of georgia, as they do every four years, has made a decision about who they wish to be their governor. our system has worked again. as we gather today, i know you share in the excitement that i have, that even in these challenging times, georgia has a bright, dynamic, vibrant future.

this is a great states, energized by great people. and i see reasons abounding for us to be optimistic as we go forward. going forward as one state, united about what we share in common and growing too big to be torn apart by that which would keep us apart. and i am excited to about this beginning. today we inoculate nathan deal of hall county is the 82nd governor of the state of georgia. nathan deal is one of the finest public servants that i've ever had the pleasure of knowing. he is a man of integrity and good judgment. he is my friend and i'm going to be very proud to call him my governor. now, pursuant to resolution adopted earlier today by both the house of representatives and the state senate and in

obedience to the constitution and laws of the state, i hereby declare that this joint session of the general assembly of georgia for the purpose of a not reading the 82nd governor of georgia is hereby called to order. >> ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the presentation of the colors. this afternoon the colors will be presented by the georgia state patrol undercard. ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ >> ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing as we honor the president with the singing of our national anthem. it will be mr. tenet the miller from the atlantic opera. >> say can you see, by the dawns early light. ♪ what so proudly we hailed at the

twilight's last gleaming. ♪ whose broad stripes and right stars through the perilous fight. ♪ for the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly gleaming. ♪ and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air. ♪ gave proof to the night that our flag was still there. ♪

oh does that star-spangled banner yet wave. ♪ or the land of the free and the hall of the brave. ♪ [applause] ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ >> leaves remain standing. dr. bill coats in the first baptist church of gainesville amount offered the indication for the inauguration. >> mr. speaker, governor and mrs. perdue, lieutenant governor , kate to cato, all the representatives and leaders of our government and all citizens of georgia, what an honor it is to be here this day and to pray

for our new governor, nathan deal and for sandra diehl. let us play. dear lord of all, you long ago plans that we should live in peace, security and verity together. and you are dank government for that purpose. today is the new leader takes the helm of our government, that peace, security and prosperity for all georgians be issued. we thank you, god, for the honorable nathan deal, whose life, experience and passion have prepared him for this moment. we are indeed grateful that he has been a servant of our state and our nation and that he is genuinely cared for those in his charge. here's a man who loved our state and our country and will now govern with devotion to the law and admiration for justice.

surely your hand is in this, lord. we're further grateful that nathan deal is a servant of yours, one whose faith in you and your teachings runs deep in his life and does. here are lord is one who faithfully serves your church and who is brought of mind and heart double covered fairly over all abuzz. those of us with this state, other faiths or no faith, surely your hand is in the so lord. our hearts join also in gratitude for sandra deal, whose life and education and service among us further inspires us. we should champion the causes of the lease to be by her warmth and personality plus the governor's home. as nathan and sandra deal bless

each other for 44 years, are they now bless all of us who live and work in play in georgia. lord, we ask that governor deal's administration, is public servant and elected in all of our legislators be known for wisdom, mercy, strength and vision. in these years to come, mavis governor lead us to solutions of big problems, toward political harmony and into an era of goodwill for all. but it leaves you lord to bless the house and family of youö but it leaves you lord to bless the house and family of your servant, nathan deal and to bless this larger house of citizens who now look to him to govern with his personal integrity, his spirit of humility and his respect for your creation. in the name of the holy one, known from abraham to christ, we pray in sincerity and good

faith, amen. >> please be seated. latest on gentlemen, the governor the state of georgia, the honorable sonny perdue will not deliver the great seal of the state of georgia to the secretary of state, the honorable, brian kemp. >> the official seal of the great need of georgia. >> thank you, governor purdue, governor elect deal, deliver to the great sale of the state of georgia. >> thank you, mr. secretary. on behalf of the citizens of the state of georgia, except the great deal and return it to you for your safekeeping. [applause] >> the honorable jason j. deal

will now administer the oath of office for the governor elect, nathan deal. ladies and gentlemen, please rise. >> lease raise your right hand, pressed her left hand on the bible. i at nathan deal do solemnly swear. >> i nathan deal do solemnly swear. >> that i will faithfully execute the office of governor. >> of the state of georgia. >> of the state of georgia. >> about to the best of my ability. >> preserve, protect and defend. the constitution thereof. >> and the constitution of the united states. >> in the constitution of the united states.

>> the public eye. >> so help me god. my congratulations. >> thank you. [applause] ♪ ♪ [applause] ♪ [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please be seated as governor deal will administer the oath of office to the lieutenant governor, casey

cagle. >> lieutenant governor, are you ready to take the oath of office? >> im. >> place your hand in the bible and repeat after me. i casey cagle. >> i casey cagle. >> do solemnly swear. >> do solemnly swear. >> will faithfully execute the office of lieutenant governor. >> of the state of georgia. >> of the state of georgia. >> and will do the best of my ability. >> about the best the best of my penelope. >> preserve, protect and defend the constitution thereat. >> pecans -- >> constitution thereof. >> and the constitution of the united states. >> in the constitution of the united states. >> so help me god. >> so help me god.

>> congratulations. [applause] [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the honorable casey cagle, lieutenant governor of the state of georgia. [applause]

>> it is an honor today to stand before the people of georgia again to renew my oath to serve our great state of georgia as lieutenant governor, to be surrounded by nita, my wife of 24 years, by three boys and so many of my family and friends make this event even more meaningful. four years ago when we began this journey together and today, we start the next chapter. i'm humbled by the faith you have entrusted to me and the

that faith will strengthen me as we set about the tasks that lie ahead. my journey through life has been shaped many times by the people in my life. those both seen and unseen, some who are present today, some that are far away, but to each of you, i will forever owe a great debt of gratitude. i remember back to one specific occasion when i was a 15-year-old boy in high school. my football coach want the me to attend a fellowship of christian athlete football camp. he told me the players who i watched on tv were going to be there, and naturally i beyond excited to meet and interagent with my football heros, and then he told me the cost to attend the camp of $500. my heart sank because i knew i couldn't afford to go. when i told my coach this, he

said, go ask your pastor and see if your church can help in some way. the next sunday, i did just that. i caught my pastor walking to the car with his wife and told him of my opportunity and how exciting i was to enter into a life changing spiritual event. he could see the excitement in my eyes. i thought he'd give me advice on how to raise the money. instead, without he'sation, he -- hesitation he looked at his wife and said, write him a check. even to this day, i'm moved as i reflect on that moment. to me, at the time it was about a check, but to him, it was an investment in my personal life. it was an outwardly act of belief in who i could become and a commitment to help me get there. today, my pastor's gone.

he never saw me become lieutenant governor, but the memory of that act of kindness will stay with me forever. our lives are shaped by the investments that people make in us. the pastor who finds value in the future of a young man, the teacher who gives her students the tools to pursue their dreams, the banker who takes a risk on a bright ambitious entrepreneur. these people inspire us. they put their time and their resources in places where they see opportunities for success, where they see the promise of a return far greater than the cost. we enrich their lives as well as our own when we deliver that return. just like my pastor saw a bright future in me, i see a bright future for our state, a place full of those same opportunities for greatness. any challenges we face today

pale in comparison to what we've overcome as a people and as a state. let us rise up with a spirit of optimism remembering how georgia has been defined through her resilience and successes as the capitol of the south. our people have always been inspired to reach further than the imagination can dream understanding that greatness is not found in government. it is found in her people, in the triumph of the american spirit. the opportunity for every georgian to realize their fullest potential is now by embarking upon a journey that will lead our state to an even higher level of prosperity, so let us move forward from here with a commitment to lay aside those things which would hold us back. let us run on towards our goals

with an endurance that never fails, with our hearts focused on god and our eyes trained on the future. as long as georgians continue to dream, georgia will continue to thrive. let us show the world how dreams become reality through the unique fabric of our people, and when we invest in that great american spirit, we had celebrately knowing that we have set georgia on its rightful course towards the rising sunshining every bright -- ever brighter into that perfect day. thank you, and may god bless our georgia. [applause] [applause] [applause]

[applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, governor deel will administer the oath of office to each of the constitutional officers. the honorable brian kemp, secretary of state. >> if you would repeat after me. i brian kemp, do solemnly swear that i will faithfully execute. >> that i will faithly execute. >> the office of state the state of georgia and will to the best of my ability, prereceiver, protect, and defend the constitution thereof and the constitution of the united states -- >> and the constitution of the united states -- >> so help me god.

>> so help me god. >> congratulations. [applause] [applause] >> attorney general elect, sam ollins. >> how are you? [inaudible] i, sam mule ollins do solemnly swear that i will faithfully execute -- >> that i will faithfully execute -- >> the office of attorney general -- >> the office of attorney general -- >> of the state of georgia preserve, protect, and defend

the constitution thereof -- >> the constitution thereof -- >> and the constitution of the united states -- >> and the constitution of the united states -- >> so help me god. >> so help me god. [applause] [applause] >> commissioner elect of agriculture gary black. >> repeat after me. i, gary black -- >> i gary black -- >> do solemnly swear -- >> do solemnly swear -- >> that i will faithfully execute -- >> that i will faithfully execute -- >> the office of commissioner of agriculture -- >> the commissioner of the state of agriculture -- >> of the state of georgia -- >> of the state of georgia --

>> and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the constitution thereof -- >> the constitution thereof -- >> and the constitution of the united states -- >> and the constitution of the united states -- >> to help me god. >> so help me god. [applause] [applause] [applause] >> commissioner elect of insurance, ralph hudgens. >> i, raffle -- >> i ralph -- >> do solemnly swear -- >> do solemnly swear --

>> that i will faithfully execute -- >> that i will faithfully execute -- >> the office of commissioner insurance of the state of georgia and will to the best of my ability >> and will to the best of my ability -- >> preserve, protect, and defend -- >> predeserve, protect, and defend -- >> the constitution thereof -- >> the constitution of the united states -- >> and the constitution of the united states -- >> so help me god. >> so help me god. >> congratulations. [applause] [applause] >> state school superintendent elect, john barge. >> repeat after me.

i john barge -- >> i john barge -- >> do solemnly swear -- >> do solemnly swear -- >> that i will faithfully execute -- >> that i will faithfully execute. >> the office of superintent of the state of georgia and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend -- >> predeserve, protect, and defend -- >> the constitution thereof -- >> the constitution thereof -- >> and the constitution of the united states -- >> and the constitution of the united states -- >> so help me god. >> so help me god. >> congratulations. [applause] [applause] [applause] >> commissioner elect of labor, mark butler.

>> raise your right hand i mark butler, do solemnly swear that i will faithfully execute the office of the commissioner of labor of the state of georgia -- >> of the state of georgia -- >> and will to the best of my ability -- >> and will to the best of my ability -- >> preserve, protect, and defend -- >> preserve, protect, and defend -- >> the constitution thereof -- >> the constitution thereof -- >> and the constitution of the united states -- >> and the constitution of the united states -- >> so help me god. >> so help me god. [applause] [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen, mr. timothy miller will now sing to god be the glory accompanied by reverend mark greene. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [cheers and applause] [applause]

[applause] [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the honorable nathan deel, 82nd governor of the state of georgia. [applause] [applause] [cheers and applause] >> thank you.

[applause] thank you, all. [applause] thank you. [applause] thank you. to god be the glory. thank you. [applause] thank you [applause] lieutenant governor, speaker, governor perdue, members of the general assembly, members of the judiciary, members of the corp., and my fellow georgians, on this second week of the second decade of the 21 socialst century, my wife sandra and i enter into the service of our native state with

excited expectancy, with sincere humility and up waiverring resolve. as i stand here in this beautiful capitol building, i recall my first visit here. i was a 5th grade student at the elementary school. our class road the nancy hanks train, and we visited here in the capitol. for many of us, it was our first train ride, and it was our first visit to the capitol still. you know, much has changed in the my first visit here, but my sense and awe of an appreciation of our history has not. the important journey of self-government which our state and nation embarked upon almost two and one-half centuries ago

has taken us through the battle feels of revolution, world war, and civil wars. throughout this experiment in democracy, there has been a healthy skepticism by we the people about the role of government which we have ordained and established. the lingering pain of this great conversation in which we are still engulfed underscoring the urgency for re-examining the role of government in our lives. the evolution of society has infringed on much of the elbow room that our ancestors enjoyed and government is asked to regulate our actions as we run into each other for our frantic search of success. in times of economic prosperity, we often ignore the costs and incon convenience of -- inconvenience of governments, but in times such as these with

more than one of every ten of our employable citizens out of work, we must justify every cent that government extracts from our economy. therefore, we must concentrate attention and resources on the core responsibilities of government. our state constitution provides that government is instituted for the protection, security, and the benefit of the people keeping our citizens safe is one of the state government's primary responsibility. the challenge is great. presently, one out of every 13 georgians is under some form of correctional control. it costs about $3 million a day to operate our department of corrections, and yet, every day

criminals continue to inflict violence on our citizens and an alarming number are juveniles. college students should be concerned about their grades, no whether they are going to be mugged on their way home from class. visitors to our cities should be treated as welcomed guests and protected. families should not live in fear of gang vims or drive-by shootings, but by most of all, our dedicated law enforcement officers must not be targets for criminals. [applause] anyone who harms one of them,

harps us all for they are the embodiment of the constitutional mandate that government provide us with security and protection. breaking the culture of crime and violence is not a task for law enforcement officers alone. parents must assume more responsibility for their children, communities must marshall their wills and civic and religious organizations must set the tone for expected behavior. for violent and repeat offenders, we will make you pay for your crimes. for other offenders who want to change their lives, we provide the opportunity to do so with day reporting centers, drug, dui and mental health courts, expanded probations, and expanded treatment options. as a state, we cannot afford to

have so many of our citizens waste their lives because of addictions. it is draining our state treasury, and it is depleting our work force. as governor, i call on local elected officials, sheriffs, local law enforcement personnel to work with me and state law enforcement officials to break this cycle of crime that threatens the secure of all law-abiding citizens. one of the other core responsibilities of state government is the education of our children. this is an undertaking that has been the primary focus of several of my predecessors in this office. despite their best efforts and that of dedicated teachers and

educators all across our state, our public education system in grades k-12 has failed to make the progress that we need. this failure is a stain on our efforts to recruit businesses to our state and it is a contributing factor to the frightening crimes statistics i previously mentioned. high dropout rates and low graduation percentages are incompatible with my vision of the future of the state of georgia. we are blessed with many schools that are producing excellent results, and it is their example that we should attempt to replicate all across our state. we are also blessed with dedicated teachers and principles who work very -- principals who work very hard to improve the lives of the young people they teach. in addition, we have many support staff and dedicated parents who are an important

part of our education system. i thank them for their service, and i een courage them in these -- encourage them in these divert economic times. i will do my best to reward their efforts. improving public education is not just the responsibility of educators. therefore, i call on all georgians to rededicate themselves to the improvement of education. i ask parents to read to their young children and cooperate with teachers so that the excellence of education becomes a family goal. i ask teachers and educators to recommit themselves to their profession and be willing to embrace new ideas. i ask local school boards to listen to the opinions of parents and teachers as they adopt education policies. i ask the members of the general

assembly and our state school board to work with me to restore discipline in our schools, eliminate bureaucratic nonsense, adopt fair funding mechanisms and reward quality and excellent. if we -- [applause] if we do these things, we will convey the magic of learning to our children and restore the joy of teaching to our educators. [applause] one of the bright stars of education in our state is the hope program. this initiative of former governors has greatly

enhappensed pre-k, technical college, and college and university opportunities for our young people. as the scope of these programs have expanded, and as the number of participants has increased, the financial reserves are being rapidly depleted. i am dedicated to honoring the promise that has been made to our students through hope and will work with the general assembly to tailor the program to the financial realities that we face today. i was not elected to make easy decisions, but difficult ones. in this legislative session, we will save hope for future generations. [applause]

[applause] another article of speedometer of state government is transportation. with an expansive land mass populated by one large metropolitan area, several medium sized municipalities and several towns and rural areas, our transportation needs are very diverse. with is a that that -- sai -- savannah, we are part of a trade community. we will deepen the port to accommodate the larger vessels to soon pass through the panama canal, but we must do more. our rail capacity and cargo routes must be improved and expanded. we must not miss this opportunity to provide jobs for georgians.

[applause] [applause] [applause] highway congestion especially in the greater atlanta area is a deterrent to job growth in the region. if we do not solve this problem soon, we will lose the businesses who want to expand or locate in our state. i am dedicated to working with all elements of government to improve our transportation system, and i call on all georgians to join us. we must put aside some of the regional differences of the past and work for the common good of our great state.

as our state continues to grow, the demand for water has likely increased. as governor, i will continue to pursue negotiations with alabama and florida to reach a resolution over the long standing dispute of how to use the water in our major reservoirs and rivers, but we will continue our conservation efforts. we are blessed with abundant water resources, and we must use them wisely. georgia can want achieve its potential if its people are not healthy. as governor, i will resist the efforts of the federal government to mandate its solutions on our people, our businesses, and our state government. [applause] [applause]

[applause] [applause] [applause] we will do our part to provide health care to our most vulnerable citizens, but government cannot make our keep us healthy. the primary responsibility for good health rests with individuals and families. we can help -- [applause] we can help cultivate a culture of wellness in our educational programs and offer incentives to medicaid and state health insurance programs, but it is only individuals and families that can make healthy lifestyle

choices. there are many other functions of our state government, but i consider these to be the most important. each in its own way is a part of the greatest challenge that reface, and that is the creation of jobs for our situations. if we make georgia the best place in the country to live, learn, and work, businesses will grow and they will expand, and we will achieve real prosperity. that is -- [applause] [applause] that is my goal, and it is the actions of my administrations that will always be focused on that goal. today, as we embark on this

journey to lead our state forward, i call on all georgia yaps to assume -- georgians to assume responsibility for themselves and their family. i call on communities and civic and religious organizations to continue to expand their efforts to serve the needs of the people in their area, state government cannot and should not be expected to provide for us what we can provide for ourselves. [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause]

let us refocus state government on its core responsibilities and relieve our taxpayers of the burden of up necessary programs. let us be frugal and wise. let us restore the confidence of our citizens in a government that are limited and efficient. together, we can make georgia the brightest star in the constellation of these united states. [applause] may god bless you and our great state of georgia. [cheers and applause] [applause]

[applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] >> today is the 25th an anniversary of the space shuttle accident that killed 7 astronauts. nasa marked the ceremony this morning. you can see the ceremony saturday night at 8 eastern on c-span.

>> now an event with ohioan congressman and study of the committee in the house. he talks about the majority's new agenda for the 112th congress and we'll hear about a proposal to roll back spending to the 2008 levels. the national foundation hosts this event. it's 20 minutes. >> goo morning, everybody -- good morning, everybody. welcome to the heritage foundation. my name is mike frank. we're going to start early because of pending votes on the floor. i will be exceptionally brief in my introduction of the congress to your relief no doubt, and the congressman may chunk his remarks too. congressman jim jordan

represents ohio's 4th congressional district. his legislative style bears some relationship to the fact he was a four-time state wrestling champion, career record of 150 wins and only 1 loss. i want to meet that one individual by the way someday. he graduated from the university of wisconsin in 1996 with a degree in economics and a masters degree in education from ohio state university. he serves on the committee of budget judiciary and oversight in government reform. he's the new chairman of the ever-growing republican study committee of a caucus of 160 conservative members in the senate, and he has been ranked by some scoring groups out there as america's most conservative elected official in congress. he is the author of new budget proposals featured today in some of the papers that takes a big

swipe at the size and scope of the federal government, and he's here today to share those thoughts with you. congressman jim jordan, please give him a warm welcome. [applause] >> i told you not to clap. you haven't heard me speak yet. [laughter] i want to thank the heritage foundation. rsv is the heritage foundation. this group is the gold standard in policy development in helping us president idea that we think are going to make america a better place. dr. fuller gave me his book, "stocking the house" when i was back working there, and we appreciate the work that aaron and the whole team her. i just read it last night in the times, a great place, and it's a sad piece the fact that the united states of the america is no longer the number one freest

country in the world. we're still the greatest country in the world, and i'll talk about that as a context to where we need to go, but we're now 9th when you look at indicators on economic freedom, and that needs to change because this is one thing i believe just as sure as i'm standing here. the world is a better and safer place when america leads, and you can't lead militarily if you're not the leading economy. they go together, and i don't know that the left always gets that point. it's something we understand. you have to be the number one economy in the world, the economic superpower to be the military superpower, and when you are both of those with the values we represent, that's a darn good thing for the rest of the planet. that's something heritage understands, and we appreciate that. let me just set context and i have votes coming up quickly. i want to save time for questions. look, i don't think you are stuck with me as your representative, but nevertheless, you pay the

salary. you can ask any question you want, and we'll have time for that. i want to start from the premise. we are the greatest nation in history. i've had that, mike mentioned my background in wrestling. i shared this last week. through the great sport of wrestling when i was really young, i had like i forgot i was going to play middle line backer for the steelers, but the good lord had other designs, and i quickly learned that i'm 5' 7 on a good day. through that sport, i've traveled to unique places. i was in what was in the soviet union in 1987, been to cuba to compete. the people in those places are great people, but the systems are so bad, i mean, i tell -- i was in moscow in february, you know, moscow in february is like 400 below 0. [laughter] the food was terrible i remember. you go to places like that and you thank the good lord you live here. i was in cuba in 88, cuba in 1990, and i'm jokingly told

people cuba is a warm soviet union and the food is not much better there. again, you thank the great lord you live in this country, the greatest nation in history where liberty and freedom means something. i think that context is what we have to understand is we're looking at the situation we face todayment i don't know if you saw -- today. i don't know if you saw this column last month also in the times, it's titled the american miracle. it really captures something i think the political class needs to understand about how great the people in my time in politics i have never seen the american people more receptive, more ready for the tough love measures that need to be implemented to fix our nation, to put our country back on the sustainable fiscal path, and the article makes the point, and i'll say it.

i won't say it as well as he wrote it. "the miracle of the american spirit began to reveal itself in the late spring of 2009. we were economic meltdown, our homes, 401k are reduced in value. many lost jobs. the greatest corporation in american history, gm, was brant. wall street banks that commanded the height were moving towards insolvency and the newly inaugurated president talked about the economic excellence being a catastrophe from which we may never recover. when he applied the stimulus, bailouts, spreading the wing of the state to protect the hepless people and then the american miracle occurred not in washington, but in the hearts and heads of the american people. the polls started to show the american people wanted washington to do less, not more. they didn't want to be sheltered under the wing of the state. the american people, and this is

critical. the american people feared the permanent loss of liberty more than they feared the temporary loss of their income and property. no other people in the world would have responded to economic danger by seeking more liberty and less government protection, no other people in the world would have thought to themselves if i have to suffer economically in order not to steel from my grandchildren, so be it. that's the standard. the american people have set the standard. the question is today will the political class rise to the standard that the american people displayed over the last year and a half. think about what happened yesterday. the house of representatives voted to repeal obamacare, and think of the transformation we've seen in 19 months. remember a year ago and a half ago, august 2009, the town hall meetings started. i remember this time. i was back home in the district shortly after the july 4 recess, and cap-and-trade just passed the house of representatives. we go in july talking about

obama, and then town hall meetings and think what occurred since then? we had the election of chris christie that november. the special election of scott brown. the election in november of last fall where we saw this, you know, 63 net gain in the house for republican and conservative members, and then judge hudson's decision last month relative to the individual mandate, and yesterday an appeal of health care in the house of representatives. an amazing transformation. the key is will the political class continue to live up to this class demonstrated by the american people? i think the answer is yes. certainly a big part of that is the republican study committee. i've used the army quote many times. you know, the jobs of the republican job committee is to make sure republicans act as republicans. dick army says when we act like us we win, when we act like them we lose. we have to make sure we act like us. i think our leadership gets it.

i think they'll do a good job, but rsc is there to give a friendly persuasion. you know what that is from your fathers which is not always friendly -- [laughter] but that's our job to give that nudge needed to make sure that we act like us. i happen to believe when we act like us it's not only good for republicans, but more importantly, good for the country. with that in mind, we are looking to do a couple things. one is a spending reduction act introduced today. we have a precedent later this afternoon about this proposal. it does just what the title indicates. it cuts spending. you all know the numbers. our debt to gdp ratios are quickly approaching the country's we've been reading about for the last year and a half. we are not far behind ireland and greece and portugal and spain. we have got to get this moving in the right direction. you got to get the ship turned around on the right path to get

to a balanced budget and begin to pay down the $14 trillion in debt that moves to $20 trillion over the next several years we have to do that. our bill takes the first step of the for the remainder of this year, going back to 2008 levels and to do that, we grab some of the stimulus dollars to get $100 billion in savings, and going forward go back to 2006 spending levels and plus what we did is just go to members and say, bring us your ideas. things you think are redundant, wasteful, ridiculous, things government spends on, and they brought us their ideas, and they're in the bill. some may not like them, but for the most part people agree on those specific items we have. we think over ten years it will save us $#.5 trillion -- $2.5. it doesn't fix everything, but it's a good step. as we move forward, everything needs to be on the table. when you look at the numbers

we're looking at, you have to be willing to say we need to do the right things to fix and save social security, do the right things to fix and save medicare, looking at things to make the systems work better for the american people and protect them. frankly, as a conservative, we have to be willing to look at the department of defense. not easy for us to do. left, the first year they want to cut is defense. we say, no, no, we have to spend tax dollars on that. that's critical. that's what the federal government's primary mission is to protect the country, but we have to be willing to look at that area as well. are there inefficiencies there that don't jeopardize our men and women in uniform, the security of this nation? we have to look at that and be willing, but this bill is a good first step and excited to introduce it today. the other is directly because of heritage. so much of what we do is because of ideas from heritage, but this one in particular. we are working on a welfare reform bill. we think it makes sense, and it's a basic concept which says

we're going to quick doing what we've always done in the country. when there's tough economic times and the social spending picks up, when we get out of the tough economic times, the social spending stays there and continues to grow. what we say here, as soon as we get unemployment back down to a more normal reasonable manageable level, then we're going to freeze all social welfare spending at 2007 levels and hold it there. we have require the budget community to say what's the number to spend, and keep it there. we think that will go a long way in helping us with our financial situation and probably more importantly, and i'll finish here and take your questions. one of the things i believe, one the reasons i got in politics. i never intended to get in politics. i was an assistant wrestling coach at the university, help students reach their goals, and i was going to do that forever. you get married, have kids, and you look at the world different.

i got tired of government telling me what to do and insulting my values in the process and decided to run. the reason i ran when you boil it all down was to look for ways to help the constitution that in my judgment ultimately determines the strength of our entire culture, and that key institution is the family. you think about welfare reform policies t.s way the left structures and it is so antifamily. think about what it says, particularly before we did the welfare reforms in the mid-90s what it said to the single mom out there. don't get married, get a job, just have more children, and we'll pay you more money. talk about the wrong messages to send to people when you promote the constitution to make your country strong. that's why i got into this business. we figured this is a great piece of legislation to introduce down the road to help families and the country, and also help our financial situation. i know i went too long because votes are starting any minute. is it appropriate for them to

fire questions away? shortest political speech you've hearted right there. >> please identify yourselves too. >> yeah? >> hi, i'm tom, an intern in congressman -- [inaudible] i'm a university student in australia. >> i thought that was a southern accent. [laughter] >> you talked about the nature of reforming social security and medicare, and recently in australia we faced a monumental political battle over reforming a small part of student benefits. how can you even begin to make any changes to a system which is so foundly rooted in such a large part of your national constituency. how will the problem ever be solved? >> two things. one, it won't be easy. look, i learned a long time ago to accomplish anything of meaning or significance is never easy. that's just the way good lord made life. it won't be easy.

second, go back to what was said about the american people, what the american people demonstrated over the last year and a half or two years. we don't see americans riding in the streets when you saw in europe when they lowered the cost of education or different things or help for stay tuned aide. you don't see that in the country because there is something i believe unique about this great nation, and while it's tough, while, you know, old every americans may not want certain things to happen, and there's all kinds of programs that we probably don't really want to cut, but frankly need to be, it won't be easy, but i think the american people are ready for it. again, that's what they voted on last november. we said before, we have to be willing to have the courage to do the right thing. i had and i i know i shared this last week, but in high school, our wrestling coach who passed away a year and a half ago, a

great guy, toughest teacher in the school teaching history and physics and toughest wrestling coach in the state of ohio, every day, no exaggeration, every stinking day he talked about discipline. he said to do well in my class, this chemistry class, you have to be disciplined, study, prepared, do the reading. want to do well in wrestles? you have to be disciplined. i was like shut up, my dad says that at home. i don't want it at school. [laughter] he said discipline is doing what you don't want to do when you don't want to do it. that meant doing it coach's way when you want to do it your way and doing things the right way rather than doing the convenient way. we're at a point in the country where we can no longer afford to do things the convenient way, especially washington. the most convenient thing to say is trim around the edges, but just let the spending and the

band plays on. we're at a point where we have to do it the tough way. we have to do the tough love, and again, the example has been set by the american people. the question is are we going to have the courage to do what they have demonstrated and are willing to accept? >> erik from the newspaper. what's your strategy on this spending cut bill? are you insisting it be enacted to allow a raising of the nation's debt ceiling for example and why go for this rather than a balanced budget amendment? >> yes, great question. we think it's important to lay down a marker first about where we need to move on discretionary spending. we started the discussion in rsc in a very good discussion. we haven't reached any type of conclusion where we think we need to be relative to debt ceiling vote. what we do believe is the cr which is coming first, cr will be the first fight.

we believe we need a full 100 billion in cults there. that's -- in cuts there. we have over 60 members saying we want to full hundred billion, not the prorated number. we vice president reached a decision on the debts yet. last one. that's good. i better get to voting. thank you all very much. [applause] >> one of the shortest events in the history of the heritage foundation. thank you for coming, and we look forward to seeing you again at our next event. okay? thank you. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]

[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] >> today is the 25th anniversary of the space shuttle challenger accident that killed 7 astronauts. nasa marked the occasion this morning with an outdoor memorial at the space center. you can see the ceremony saturday night at 8 eastern on c-span.

>> sunday on c-span's road to the white house, former minnesota governor tim pawlenty spoke at a politics and