quorum call:

the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent the call of the quorum be terminated. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: mr. president, in a few minutes senators will cast votes on two amendments to the farm bill that's now pending before this body. before we do, i want to take just a minute to acknowledge that the senior senator from montana, max baucus, has cast more than 12,000 votes over the past three decades with this institution, the united states senate. it's really a remarkable accomplishment, and it speaks to his dedication to the united states senate and to the people of montana. he's a hardworking senator. he learned the value of hard work on a ranch outside helena,

capital of the state of montana. from the time he was a boy, he was noted as being extremely smart. that's why he was able to learn -- i'm sorry. to obtain both his bachelor and law degree at one of the most prestigious universities of the world: stanford university. i've worked with him many years i've been here in the senate. i've worked with him when he was chairman of the environment and public works committee during the massive highway bill. he's been a member of the agricultural committee for many, many years. and his mark in this body, though, has been as a member of the finance committee. he's done many, many things. he was involved in the 1982 bill that was, reformed the tax code significantly, called bradley --

gephardt. but max baucus was in there working out things that he thought was important to montana and to the country. he became chairman of this very important committee. and he's been instrumental in developing many massive pieces of legislation, but nothing more significant than the months and months and months that he spent managing the health reform bill, the obamacare bill. he's been a long advocate for children's health. he was an advocate for the children's health insurance program and has fought for medical care for seniors all over america and of course in his state of montana. he served on the agriculture committee, environment and public works committee and the joint taxation committee. his legislative record is open for everyone to see. it's massive and it's important, and he's done a remarkably good

job. but the one that i think that senator baucus and i spent a lot of time talking about is running. not running for office, but running with your feet. he's an avid runner, and i used -- i always have felt pretty cocky that i've run quite a few marathons, but they pale in comparison to the running macs balks has done. one, he's faster than i am. number two, he can run longer than i can. he completed a 50 mile race in less than 12 hours. that's remarkable. and he did that less than ten years ago. that's just one way that max has gone the distance. anyone willing to spend half a day running must love the outdoors. i mean, i'm talking about half a day. that's 12 hours. but that's especially true for max who enjoys hunting and fishing and has been an important advocate for public

lands in montana and the nation. the author of the largest bill that i know of except for perhaps some of the alaska lands bills, one of the largest conservation bills in american history which preserved more than 310,000 acres of forest land in northwestern montana. so i congratulate senator baucus on reaching this impressive milestone. 12,000 votes. and recognize that the contributions he's made to this country are significant. a senator: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from new jersey. mr. menendez: mr. president, today i come to the floor shaken and deeply saddened, as we are all, by the loss of our colleague, my good friend and ally, the senior senator from new jersey, senator frank lautenberg. when i think of senator

lautenberg, i think of the word "tenacity." frank lautenberg was tenacious. when he had a setback, he always got right back into the game. he was tenacious in life as he was here in the senate, where that tenacity paid off to the people of new jersey and for the nation. when he had a setback with cancer, he did not let himself take one minute more than he had to before he got right back up and went right back at it. i'll always remember his tenacity, a strength of will and an unshakeable resolve that helped him in his own life and in making life better for others. frank lautenberg loved the senate. he loved his job. and the people who elected him

time and time again -- five times in fact, the longest-serving senator from the state of new jersey -- the people he cared deeply about: working families, seniors, single moms, hardworking folks, who trusted him always to be on their side, and he was. he was a man for new jersey, a man for his time, one of the greatest generation, the last in the senate to have served in world war ii, and his story was a quintessential american story. his father sam worked in the silk mills of paterson, new jersey. he sold coal, he farmed, he once ran a tavern. frank lost his father to cancer when he was 19. he learned the lesson of hard work, having to take on a job nights and weekends until he graduated from nutley high

school when he joined the army and went to europe, and when he came back, he went to columbia university on the g.i. bill. he understood the value of that opportunity given to him as a veteran of this country from world war ii, and he extended that forward when he later got to co-author the new 21st century g.i. bill. and he got a degree in economics. now, anyone who knew frank lautenberg knew that he was destined to make something of himself, and he did. he joined two of his boyhood friends to found a very successful business, a.d.p., and he did it well, but if losing his father, working his way through high school, going to war, starting a business, making a success of himself wasn't enough, he wanted to give something back. he was very comfortable in life and he could have said i'm going

to enjoy this hard work and sacrifice that has brought me to this comfortable stage in life, but he considered himself lucky and he wanted to help others, and that's why he ran for office. it's why he served, and it's why the people of new jersey kept electing him. new jerseyans loved and admired him for what he did for this nation, what he did to help them and every acan bld a better life for themselves and their families, and in death those accomplishments and the love and admiration new jerseyans have always have for frank lautenberg will not diminish. whether it was his landmark drunk driving law, co-authoring the 21st century g.i. bill, introducing the toxic right to know law that empowered the public to know what pollutants were being released into their neighborhood, he gave something back to all of us.

we can talk about how hard he fought for the victims of superstorm sandy this year. even in illness, came back to the senate to try to make sure that new jerseyans and all those who suffered from superstorm sandy were taken care of. or how he worked to make the patterson great falls a national park from his hometown that he loved so dearly. but above all, he was mr. transportation here in the senate, whether it was roads or bridges, airlines or the rail system, he believed in having the best and safest transportation system in the world. and when it comes to air travel, he was way ahead of his time when it comes to safety. let's not forget that it was frank lautenberg who ended the dangers of smoking on airlines so none of us would be subjected to sitting in an airplane cabin in a smoke-filled aircraft of the dangers of smoking on a plane. and today when i took the amtrak

from newark to union station, i thought through most of that ride of frank. i remembered how many times he came to this floor to fight for america's railways, how much he believed in the importance of rail travel, and what it meant to keeping this nation's transportation system competitive. but given all of those accomplishments, it still would not adequately reflect the gift of governing he gave this nation and the 9,000 votes he cast in this chamber. maybe not all of them made the headlines, but they made a difference for every american family, and with each of those votes, frank lautenberg helped shape the history of america, not just for his time but for all in generations to come. you know, but when i think of frank, i also certainly not only look back to the fact that he was part of that greatest

generation, a world war ii veteran, but i also think that frank may have left us too soon at the age of 89 because he never missed a beat. he lived in the moment. i remember about three years ago, he and his wife bonnie celebrated his 86th birthday in january in what some might say was an unusual way. frank wanted to spend his birthday with his favorite singer. he was a fan of lady gaga and wanted to celebrate his birthday. so he and his wife bonnie went to radio city music hall for lady gaga's monster ball tour. no, frank was not yesterday's news. he was always about today's news, and he lived in the moment. but that moment is gone now. we remember it well, and we're lucky to share that moment -- we were lucky to share that moment with him. it goes by all too quickly, but

the memories last forever. his accomplishments will last forever. he touches the lives of people well beyond his death. and our image of what it means to learn, to live, to earn and then give something back will never be forgotten because it lives in frank lautenberg's legacy to this chamber, this nation and to the people of my home state. there is a quote from the old testament from daniel, chapter 12, and it says many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake and the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever. frank lautenberg stood for justice in all of its forms, for every american, every day he served in this chamber, and his memory shall be like a

constellation showing us the way. today we say thank you, senator lautenberg, for a life well lived and a job well done. thank you on behalf of a grateful state and nation. our deepest thoughts and prayers are with his wife bonnie and his entire family. i know we will miss him as they will miss him, as the nation will miss his incredible work. with that, mr. president, i yield the floor and observe the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call:

quorum call: mr. moran: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from kansas. mr. moran: i ask that the quorum call be lifted. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. moran: mr. president, thank you. i ask unanimous consent to temporarily set aside the pending amendment so that i may call up my amendment number 987 which is at the desk. the presiding officer: without objection. the clerk will report. the clerk: the senator from kansas, mr. moran, proposes an amendment numbered 987. mr. moran: i ask that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. moran: thank you very much. i was on the floor a little bit earlier today describing this amendment. i'll do so very briefly. this is an amendment to the farm bill that deals with a crop called alfalfa.

one that is grown and produced in most states but often not known a lot about as we discovered in this farm bill discussion. and what we know about this crop, it is so important, used in many ways to feed cattle and produce milk by immediating dairy cattle, and so it's a very important component in the livestock industry and valuable for feed for both cattle for meat consumption and cattle for dairy consumption. and this crop is -- there's a real challenge in getting crop insurance available for this crop and so what this amendment does would require the federal crop insurance corporation to conduct research and development regarding a policy, an insurance policy to insure alfalfa and provide with us a report as from the results of that study. there's no cost to the taxpayer.

this as i understand it is a noncontroversial amendment, and, mr. president, i see that the chairperson of the committee is on the floor and i would be happy to yield to her. ms. stabenow: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from michigan. ms. stabenow: i would urge the adoption of this amendment, the moran amendment really follows the philosophy of this farm bill of moving from direct subsidies to crop insurance, and i think it's an important crop and it's important to make sure that we do have crop insurance tailored to alfalfa growers. so i would urge colleagues to support the amendment. and i would ask for the yeas and nays. the presiding officer: is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. the clerk will call the roll. vote:

ask is quorum call:quorum call:quoru vote:

vote:

vote:

the presiding officer: are there any senators wishing to vote or wishing to change their vote? if not, the ayes are 72. the nays are 18. the amendment is agreed to. the senator from michigan. ms. stabenow: thank you, mr. president. on behalf of senator coons and senator johanns -- i'm not sure if senator johanns is here. but i would call up amendment 1079 on their behalf. and we do intend to take this on a voice vote this evening.

so coons, johanns -- the presiding officer: without objection the clerk will report. the clerk: the senator from michigan, ms. stabenow for mr. coons proposes amendment number 1079. ms. stabenow: mr. president, this amendment simply increases the authorization for the local and regional procurement program from $40 million per year to $60 million per year. it's based on a pilot project from the last farm bill to test various options on food aid for hungry populations, how to do it faster and more efficiently. the presiding officer: if the senator will yield? under the previous order, there will be two minutes of debate equally divided prior to a vote in relation to amendment number 1079 offered by the senator from delaware, mr. coons. the senator from michigan. ms. stabenow: mr. president, i would simply say that this is an amendment that we are happy to accept on behalf of senator

coons, senator johanns, senator durbin, isakson and senator leahy. it would modestly increase the authorization for the local and regional food procurement program. and i would ask that we accept it on a voice vote. i yield back the remaining time on both sides. the presiding officer: all time is yielded back. the question is on the amendment. all those in favor say aye. all those opposed no. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes do have it. the amendment is agreed to. mr. inhofe: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from oklahoma. mr. inhofe: i ask i be recorded "no" on this vote. the presiding officer: the senator has.

ms. stabenow: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from michigan. ms. stabenow: have we completed the vote, mr. president? the presiding officer: we have. ms. stabenow: thank you. i see colleagues that wish to speak. i just want to thank colleagues for their diligence as we work through amendments on the farm bill. our goal is to complete this by the end of the week. it's important that we complete this jobs, 16 million people work in agriculture and are depending on us to get this right and to get it done as we have done a year ago. and so i just look forward to working with colleagues as we continue to work through the amendments, and appreciate everybody's hard work. a senator: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from arkansas. mr. pryor: thank you. i would ask my comments and those of my colleague from arc saub made as if in -- arkansas be made as if in morning business. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. pryor: mr. president, members of the senate often come to the floor and talk about our

men and women in uniform and their incredible bravery and sacrifice that they make for our country. and that's true. we certainly honor them and appreciate them for all that they do for our country as they serve us overseas. however, there are other men and women in uniform who also serve our country by serving our citizens and our communities, and those are our policemen and policewomen and others in law enforcement as well as first responders, and generally. they wear the uniform as well. i rise today to honor two heroes from arkansas. last week we lost a sheriff and a game warden who were trying to help victims of a flood in our state. these two first responders answered the call when there was an emergency in a dire situation. they jumped in their vehicles and headed to the danger. they got into a boat, and they

went to a home of some victims who were stranded and very much in danger by the flood waters. and unfortunately, all four lost their lives in this terrible incident in arkansas. the arkansas game and fish wildlife officer was joel campora and sheriff cody carpenter of scott county. both drowned while assisting victims in this overnight flash flood near wye city, arkansas. in times of distress like this we should come together to help others, which is exactly what they were doing, as they sacrificed their lives for others. they put others' needs ahead of their own because of their sense of duty and honor and their belief in helping their fellow man. in closing, i'd like to commend those -- these men and offer condolences to their families for their sacrifice.

and, mr. president, i yield the floor to my colleague from arkansas. the presiding officer: the senator from arkansas. mr. boozman: thank you, mr. president. i want to take and pause, it seems like for the last several weeks on a very regular basis the storms ravaging the country, different events happening that we've been pausing, and certainly this tragedy has struck arkansas. so we would like for our colleagues to keep the thoughts and prayers of those in western arkansas that have suffered this. as the senator from arkansas said, six people lost their lives due to the terrible storm that left significant flooding in western arkansas last week. scott county sheriff cody carpenter, wildlife officer joel campora were two dedicated public servants that were among them. they gave their lives while responding to a 9-1-1 call at a

home in wye city. the two arrived at a home. as they arrived to help two females that were there the house exploded killing all four of them. a grant county man was killed when a tree fell on him as a result of the storm. these were people that truly were true heroes not because of the way they died, but because of the way they lived their lives. sheriff carpenter was a leader who was never content to sit behind a desk. he bravely put safety of others before his own to protect those in harm's way. he rose from a dispatcher to deputy, chief deputy and finally sheriff. he was a man of faith who loved life, loved his family and loved his job and the lord. officer campora began his law enforcement career in mena arkansas in 2011. he became a wildlife arkansas for the game and fish commission. his desire to serve led him down this career path and led him to

serve as a volunteer youth minister in a baptist church. again, these were ordinary people doing extraordinary deeds. sheriff carpenter left behind a wife, amy beth and four children: garrett, christian, douglas and ireland. officer campora left behind a wife rebecca and two daughters stacy and bethany. again, we very much would like everyone to remember these families and keep them in their thoughts and their prayers as time goes on. i yield back. mrs. murray: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from washington. mrs. murray: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent to speak as if in morning business. the presiding officer: without objection. mrs. murray: mr. president, i come to the floor this evening with a very sad heart to speak about one of our colleagues here on the floor of the senate who gave tremendous service to his country and sadly passed away last night.

senator frank lautenberg was a true american. he lived a life where he earned a lot throughout his lifetime, but he came here to the senate floor to fight for all those people who didn't have that ability to fight for themselves. he was here in the senate with us just a few weeks ago, even though he was battling an extremely difficult illness himself. i think of frank lautenberg as a man of tremendous determination, an awful lot of grit and someone who really, i think, embodied the term "happy warrior." he wanted to be here to fight for those who didn't have what he did. and throughout his career that's exactly what he did. frank himself lived the american dream. he was the son of poor immigrants and he rose to become a chief executive of a business that employed thousands of people around the world. he personally did really well, but he was never satisfied with just his own personal success.

he understood, like so many great americans, that his success was based on the opportunities that this country afforded him. so he chose over three decades to give back and to fight for people who make sure they had the opportunities that he did. he started his career here back in 1982. and as many of us who served with him know, he decided to retire but he was not happy in retirement. he wanted to be here doing what he loved: being a united states senator and fighting for the people of his home state, new jersey, and fighting for americans all over to have the opportunities i just talked about. he made it his mission really to make sure that the ladders that were there for him were there for the generations that came behind him. he was a proud world war ii veteran. in fact, the last that this body will know. he fought for the post-9/11 g.i. bill because, like my dad, who was a world war ii veteran, he

had used the g.i. bill after world war ii. he knew it was the key to unlocking the knowledge that empowered the greatest generation. he wanted that for those who came behind him. his desire to stan -- stand up for the powerless is why he championed legislation to protect families from gun violence. he stood up to safeguard families from dangerous chemicals time and time again. and he took on the powerful to ban smoking on airplanes and to bring about tougher drunk driving protections. and i personally will always remember frank's passion for transportation. he chaired the transportation, housing and urban development appropriations committee before i did, and i spent many years working with him to make sure we funded the infrastructure of this country, rail, highway, airline safety issues. frank's legacy really is that he will -- his direct work saved lives. he saved lives. he helped to build

transportation networks that brought families and businesses and communities together. he wanted a better life for families here in america. he was a champion for the underserved and underrepresented. mr. president, how many times have i been out here on the floor, feeling like a lonely voice, fighting for women's health care issues or fighting for protection of families against hazardous chemicals or fighting for victims of domestic violence, and time and time again, frank lautenberg would come over here to stand beside and fight with me, no matter what the time of day or the late hour of night, because that was his passion and his cause. he was a passionate public servant. he wasn't afraid to fight and vote for what he believed in. he could never understand anyone who came here and tried to figure out which way the winds were blowing in order to take a vote. frank came and was passionate about who he cared for and he didn't care about the political consequences. he wanted to fight for the underserved, and he loved the senate. in fact, he loved it so much

that one tour of duty was not enough and service called him back, as i said. up until a few days ago, nothing could stop frank from taking amtrak down here to fight for the issues he believed in and the people of new jersey that he represented so well. mr. president, frank lautenberg gave everything he had to public service, and those who served with him as i was so fortunate to do know that it gave him all the satisfaction in the world. he's going to be missed by all of us. he will be missed for his determination, for his passion, for always caring and for fighting for what was right for all the people in this country, and i just want to say tonight that my thoughts and prayers are with bonnie and all of his family as they struggle with this loss, but to know that his legacy lives on in the safety and caring of so many families in this country that he worked so passionately and hard for. thank you, mr. president, i yield the floor. i suggest the absence of a

quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call:

ms. stabenow: i would ask suspension of the quorum call. the presiding officer: without objection. ms. stabenow: thank you, mr. president. i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to ten

minutes each. the presiding officer: without objection. ms. stabenow: thank you. and i would suggest the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call:

quorum call:

ms. stabenow: mr. president, ? the presiding officer: the senator from michigan. ms. stabenow: i ask the suspension of the quorum call. the presiding officer: without objection. ms. stabenow: i ask the senate proceed to h.r. 588 which is received from the house and is at the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: h.r. 588 an act to provide for donor contribution acknowledgments to be displayed at the vietnam memorial visitors' center and for other purposes. the presiding officer: without objection the senate will proceed to the measure. ms. stabenow: i ask unanimous consent that a wyden amendment at the desk be agreed to, the bill as amended be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table with no intervening action or debate. the presiding officer: without objection.

ms. stabenow: i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today it adjourns until 10:00 a.m. on tuesday, june 4, 2013, that following the prayer and the pledge, the morning business be deemed expired and the journal of proceedings be approved to date and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and that following any leader remarks, the senate be in a period of morning business for one hour with the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees with senators permitted to speak therein for ten minutes each with the majority controlling first half and the republicans controlling the final half, that following morning business the senate resume consideration of s. 954, the farm bill, and further that the senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings. the presiding officer: without objection. ms. stabenow: if there is no further business to come before the senate i ask that it adjourn

under the previous order. the presiding officer: the senate stands adjourned until senate stands adjourned until

>> it is a very important thing that we are seeing from the community the old engagement in the substantive issues. people are debating whether not to have an option. we are debating what the first broadband era plan should look like. that's the hard question. the u.s. is going to be the first country in the world to figure it out. there's a tricky but important issue to address. >> it's not like the new chairman is going to walk in friday and have been auctioned on monday. there are complicated orders that need to go out but it's no

exaggeration. this auction will be the most complex and world history that the chairman and vice chairman is right in that we are moving faster than the rest of the world and have all along so the eyes of the world at least on the wireless space are looking at the u.s. to see how we handle this. >> to former fcc commissioners on the upcoming spectrum auction and other major communications issues facing the fcc tonight on "the communicators" at 8:00 eastern on c-span2.

>> john shaw is a congressional correspondent for news international. lawmakers are back on capitol hill to start work on a no spending bill to decide which ones are coming up and what can you tell us about them? >> it's interesting season starting up early this week because as you say the fiscal year 2014 spending bills are finally reaching the floor of this week the house chamber where the house will consider two of the bills, the homeland security funding bill and the military construction veterans funding bills. it's interesting because the appropriations process is off to a bit of a slow start in part because the house and senate still disagree dairy fundamentally on where they are headed. the two chambers passed budget resolutions which are broad

fiscal blueprints in march. they have very different visions about how the next 10 years ago. it turns out they also have very different visions on how this year should go. the two chambers are $91 billion apart with the house lower than the senate, so as they try to pass the 12 funding bills it will be very interesting because the house is shooting at a much lower number than the senate and even imagining that all 12 hills were to pass both chambers which seems somewhat unlikely, we are still going to have an awful lot of difficulty trying to resolve the bills. it seems already that people are thinking you know well into at least a couple of months into the future when the fiscal starts wondering if there is going to be temporary bills that will be government-funded. >> since there is no agreed upon budget blueprint what is your forecast for how difficult it

will be for the spending bills to get approved in the house and the senate? .. >> it's unclear if the majority leaders is willing to step all july on the fiscal year 14 spending bill, so i think we're going to -- the two chambers are shooting at different numbers, looking at two different

calendars. they still have not really resolved the big picture fiscal issues. i think the bills will pass the house. it's unclear how many pass the senate. the senate appropriations committee is working hard this week on its bills, but whether they come to the floor of the senate in july is something still not quite clear. >> now, talk of the sequester is not dominating the news like earlier this year. what impact is it having op the proposed level of spending in the bills? >> it's a major factor. in fact, the $91 billion that separate the chambers is in large part how they contemplate the sequester going forward. the house -- excuse me, the senate democrats have effectively assumed the sequester will be removed for the next fiscal clear replaced by some undisclosed mix of spending cuts and tax increases to effectively, you know, wipe

it off the map whereas the house assumeses the sequester is going to take hold. it's, i mean, even that very, very basic issue, the two chambers are fundment tally in disagreement about how to factor in the sequestering. it's something that the house appropriations committee chairman in the last couple weeks openly dispairedded at how the sequester is making it hard to write his funding bills. he said it is causing, you know, damage to the budget, but he's under marching orders from the leadership to assume that the sequester is going to stay in place. he is crafted his 12 bills to take that into account. >> in the seconds that we have left, what about the debt ceiling? what are we hearing about that? >> likely to come up, september, october, november, sometime in the fall. there is pros tect that the debt sealing and fy14 bills will be

coming at the same time, late september, early october. >> john shaw, thank you for your time. >> thank you so much. >> secretary of state, john kerry, urged israelis and palestinians to reengage in middle east peace talks making remargings at the american jewish committee. this is about 35 minutes. >> i want to thank the leadership and the membership of the ajc and jacob institute, bob, david harris, who, over nearly a quarter a century, helped to shape this distinguished organization like no one else, and, of course, your new president, stan bergman. i thank you, every single one of you, for all you do for israel, but more for human rights, for civil rights around the world, women's rights, in fighting

races, religious intolerance, and torture. thank you for all you do to fight anti-semitism around the world. i'm proud that i just appointed ira foreman to lead that fight against anti-semitism from the state department. you have a very strong partner in ira. of course, i thank you for what you do for the american-jewish community. as many of you might know, and if you don't, i tell you now, my brother, kam, a proud member of the community. he converted to judaism 40 years ago before marrying his wife, kathy, and this morning, he started as acting secretary of commerce department, and i'm told we're the figure ever two brothers to lead cabinet level agencies at the same time. [applause]

when the psalmist wrote the hymn, how good and pleasing it is for brothers to sit together in unity, i'm pretty sure he was not picturing us together in the cabinet room of the white house. my mother well have. [laughter] either way, it's an honor to serve alongside my brother, even if it's just a short while. for more than a century, ajc has been a partner and pioneer in the defining of the relationship between american jews and israel, and a leader in strengthening that relationship. you've built bridges during difficult times and hopeful ones alike, and we've seen them all in this journey. i know many look at the landscape today, and you're not inclined to act.

somehow too risky, too much turmoil. there's a lot of people who are quick to call this moment too difficult a time, too dangerous, too daunting a time. i understand that temptation, and i fully recognize the challenges and the predictment in which israel finds itself, but i also firmly believe that this is a hopeful time. if we choose to make it so, this is actually be a time of possibility and a time of promise, and with your help, it can be a time of peace. now, i know there is no issue so close to your hearts as the future of israel's security. the threat from iran, the up rest in syria, the question surrounding nuclear weapons and chemical weapons, lingering fallouts of the arab spring, the status of the peace process that's hardly a process at all. all of these matter tremendously

to each and every one of you, and they matter, above all, to israel's future. israel's future is what i want to talk to you about today. i had the great honor of becoming secretary of state in february. i visited israel in march, april, and may, and i will be back soon. [applause] each time that i go, the deep personal connection that i feel with the state and the people of israel only strengthened. these are actually bonds that reach back into my own family tree, including relatives i never met or knew about until the last decade. relatives who parrished in the holocaust. relatives i thought in new and personal ways when i laid a wreath on behalf of the united

states, an extrordz their privilege to spend that day alongside survivors and veterans, and to sit at that ceremony between the president on one side and prime minister benjamin netanyahu on the oared, and one i believe can lead to israel into a new era we very much want to see. these bonds reenforced in quiet walks in the sacred spaces of jerusalem and in the nervous neighborhoods and through the bustle of downtown tel-aviv. these are bonds that i felt on my first trip to israel in 1984, almost 30 years ago, with a group of 15 jewish friends from massachusetts standing on top of the spectacular summit, where 2,000 years ago, 1,000 martyrs made the ultimate sacrifice in unison, and in the name of defending the homeland of the

jewish people, we, together, all 16 of us looked across the desert, across the crest of the precipice, across the dead sea, the vast desert below, standing in the very spot where every new soldier begins his or her service swearing an oath to honor the update and defend the future of the state. our guide, a wonderful man named yadin instructed us after a long discussion about what had happened or not happened and how the history played out, and how he had written it and whether it was accurate. we had a big debate. we took a vote and call voted that what happened had happened the way it was described. he instructed us to stand at that precipice and call out across the chasm to yell. we did it, together, the people

of israel live. [applause] the state of israel lives. we heard our voices bounce off the other side of the mountains, came back to us, really as if the voices of those who had fought coming back to us. all the modern day challenges strengthened each time that i got to see the state. once i got to see the state from the air, when someone actually let me dwsh it was on the unforgettable flight on the luncheon we had, and he said, senator, i hope you have not eat too much, we go flying. [laughter] i said, sounds good to me, left

everybody, jumped on the jet, and the minute we're off the airport, the jet's yours, take it wherever you want. we took out of the air base just north of the lot, and i got to see with my own eyes how narrow the borders of israel are and how vulnerable the security is. there's no margin for error, and i understood that. as i flew the jet, at one point, my pilot radioed said, senator, you're about to go over egypt, turn. [laughter] i -- well, flew over quickly, came close to violating the air space of egypt and jordan. i thought to myself, wow, finally, i'm seeing the middle

east clearly, upside down. [laughter] these days, folks, our american airline pilots do not let me take control of the aircraft, much to the relief of the passengers, but i want to share with you, when we touched down in tell aveef, walked down the steps of the blue and white plane that says united states of america on the side, i carry with me my commitment of president obama whose administration, proud to say, has done more than any before to ensure that israel's future is strong and prosperous. never has our sue -- superiority agreement been as great. [applause] make no mistake. the president and the united states and i share your unshakable commitment to israel's security, and every time we land, i think of the words of one of the most

prominent successors. she said, we only want that which is given naturally to all peoples of the world, to be masters of our own fate, not of others. central to israel's founding is the belief that this state and the jewish people must be able to control their own destiny, and that is why and how israel made democracy, and it's how they built the modern economy, and why they built one of the strongest militaries on the planet, and why it's always shown a strength in the face of terrorism and existential threats. as we look ahead, i believe and think you will agree and believe you will agree, that the best way to ensure security for today and future generations is by ending once and more all the

conflict of the palestinians by summoning the courage to achieve peace and by reaching a negotiated resolution that results in two states for two peoples each able to fulfill their legitimate aspirations in a homeland of their own. we are all committed to that. [applause] i come here to affirm to you we are deeply committed to israel's security and understand what it means when benjamin netanyahu looks me in the eye and says, "i have to guarantee the security of my country," i understand that, and he does, and he will. what does that security look like?

being secure as a jewish state, but also a democratic state. also, an economically thriving state. security for israel means freedom from pernicious attacks on its legitimacy from its neighbors or op the world stage. security for israel grows with the empowerment of moderates in the west bank, gaza, and throughout the region so that extremists are isolated rather than promoted and empowered and lasting security for israel requires regional stability and open markets that will let israelis concentrate on building up their businesses and not just their defenses. you and i both know that the place where all of this happens best is in the strong, secure israel that lives peacefully alongside a viable palestinian

state. i'll tell you here today, examine every possibility, all of the parameters of this conflict, this frozen conflict, and i will tell you a realistic, one-state solution simply does not exist for either side. my friends, i have been -- [applause] i have been traveling to israel as secretary of state now for just the last three months, but i have been involved intimately in the challenges for three decades. i come to the issue not as a stranger, but as a proven friend over 30 years or more. i got to know every israeli prime minister and many of the kings, princes, presidents who ruled over the arab world in 30

years, and in that time, i heard all arguments for why it is too difficult to end this cop flick. now, i know some of you are skepticalment i. i understand where that comes from. some are cynical. i know it's hard. after all, there's a reason why this problem has not been solved yet. i understand the disappointment that we fell from camp david and without realizing the ultimate goal, and i remember when arafat in a major point of conflict in the course of the lunch, looked at me as i talked about the negotiations, and he said, you know, that is my great regret. i should have said yes.

well, i don't think we can live for regrets now. i don't think we have that opportunity. i still believe that peace is achievable, and more than ever, i know it's worth fighting for. we all know [applause] we also all know cynicism has never solved anything. it's never given birth to a state, and it won't. challenges are not met by giving into doubts. israel has only gotten this far because brave people were willing to di fie the odds and ignore conventional wisdom and overcome obvious calls. how else could you make fertile land from the desert and do what israel has done? why should we start? why should any israeli start giving into sip schism now? i believe that if we care about the future of israel as i do and i know you do and if we

understand what is at stake, we should recognize this time is, in fact, a significant opportunity, and it is more than that. it is a responsibility. now, some say that in the aftermath of the arab spring, it's too messy, too uncertain, but in reality, the dawn of a new era in the region is exactly the kind of time to recast israel's relationships, to change the narrative with a new generation that's starting to make its voice heard. now, some are weary because of israel's experience following withdrawal of gaza and leb notary public. you have no idea how many times we talk about lebanon and gaza. what do we have? we have roberts. it's worth remembers the withdrawals were unilateral, not part of a peace treaty including security and they were not part of the peace agreement that agrees to be a demillmilitarizee

state or entity. jordan, on the other hand, bilateral, yielded a much better result for israel, and egypt, today, in fact, is enforcing the peace agreement to the best of their ability to the gaza cease fire and working diligently on the issue of sinai security and so forth. we know any peace agreement with the palestinians will need to include extensive, mutually agreed security arrangements in order to assure a state that's not the launching site for future attacks against israel, and, of course, israel's fundmental security concerns have to be answered affirmatively, including the threat of hezbollah, a dangerous, terrorist punt of iran that has amassed rockets and attacked israel, and, of course, iran itself is involved in it. let me repeat, the united states

will prevent iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. it is not prevention. it is no weapon, no containment, prevention. [applause] i ask you to understand that at the same time as i stand here, a friend of israel, at the same time as i have a 29-year, 1 # 00% voting record, i can also stand here and tell you that we must recognize the palestinian's fund mal aspirations, to live in peace in their own state with its own clear borders. that has to be our mission as well. i assure you --

[applause] i assure you with assured borders, a flourishing economy only strengthens israel's security and israel's future. the palestinian children i've seen, i went into gaza a number of years ago, five years ago, and the kids there should be able to grow up with playgrounds not made of the debris of bombed out buildings. their parents deserve to be able to live their daily lives the way people everywhere else in the world do and the way parents aspire hopes for their chirp do, and these families' lives should not be determined by terrorists in their midsts. i emphasize it's not a substitute for peace, believe me, not a substitute. palestinians deserve to see their lives grow in the benefits

of economic growth and development. that's why last weekend in the dead sea, i described an economic investment initiative for the palestinian territories led by tony blare that will be different in scope and in process than anything that has proceeded it. we know that this conflict, my friends, is not the cause of problems in the middle east. it's used as a convenient excuse who didn't want their own populations to recognize and wrestle with the inadequacies of the own governance, an excuse, but make no mistake, resolving this conflict for both sides can have far reaches benefits that will be in everybody's interest, and the reverse is also true, not resolving this results in serious consequences for both.

i understand that many of you are asking, what makes this different from every other time. the difference is what happens in the coming days dictates what happens in the coming decades. we're running out of time and possibilities, and let's be clear if we do not succeed now, and i know i'm raising stakes, but if we do not succeed now, we may not get another chance. don't let the absence of peace become a self-fulfill prophesy. i want to ask you this. whenever you think about the challenge and how hard it is, think about what will happen if it doesn't work.

we will find ourselves in a negative spiral of responses and counter responses that could slam the door on a two-state solution already having agreed, i think r there's not a one-state one, and the insidious campaign to delegitimize israel will gain steam. it will not be able to fulfill visions of being both at once. the status quo is not sustainable. a stalemate -- [applause] today will not remain one

tomorrow. the simple fact is tomorrow is not guaranteed to look like today, and the people who think somehow there's a fence and because there's been greater security and fewer people hurt are lulling themselves into a delusion that that somehow can be sustained. it cannot be. now, think about what could happen next door. the palestinian authority committed itself to a policy of nonviolence. they are the only entity out there in that region that committed themselves to nonviolence. think of the cost of that. think of what they have dope to try to build institutions, a security arrangement, a democracy, a prime ministership, growth in the palestinian economy, the fact that last year until recently, not one israeli died from anything that happened

from the west bank until there was a settler kill about a month ago. fiad did an exfor the record their job in building the security forces and the institutions of a viable state, but that's not just the work of one man. we look forward to continuing these efforts with a new prime minister, but if that expermed is allowed to fail, ask yourselves what will replace it? what happens if the palestinian economy implodes? if the security forces dissolve? if the palestinian authority fails? surely something much worse for israel's interest for america's interest and the region and the failure of the leadership could be inviting the rise of the very thing we want to avoid -- the same extremism in the west bank that we have seen in gaza or from southern lebanon. before anybody gives up op this

hope, we have to ask whether we are prepared to live with permanent conflict, with a possibility of widespread civil disobedience, a civil rights movement that grows in the west bank or the threat looming aarp the corner. if the parties don't come back to the table, the palestinians said they will go to the u.n. to join more u.n. organizations where does -- despite the best of the united states, they will get more votes than last time, and last time, we only got nine votes against. the palestinians threatened to take their case to the international criminal court. yes, the united states of america will always have israel's back. we will always stand up for israel's security, but wouldn't we both be stronger if we have more company? with the right choices and

enough courage and determination, there is a very different future possible for israel. i ask you today, don't just realize, but this time can be different, but this time it actually has to be. people have been so much time lamenting what has not worked in the past that i believe we've forgotten to focus on what the future could look like if we do keep pace. think of the security benefits, an israel where school children run on the playground without bunkers and shelters to escape the rocket fire. i've been there. i've seen hundreds of casings that are displayed there that have. fired out of gaza. i went to up in the north and went into a bunker where kids hide from the rockets coming in from lebanon. i know that fear. we can see a difference where you have a world where

extremists and their state sponsors can no longer use the festering conflict as an excuse or rallying cry for any number of hid p agendas, and we can see in iran that is increasingly isolated. . . from jordan through the west bank and into israel.

the end of political and logistical barriers to turn tell of the insular global health center for finance and technology in the possibilities for tourism, as i mentioned, are simply extraordinary, an area where israel currently underperforms its potential and other countries in the region. their limitless with their rich collections of historical, archeological, religious sites as well as mom attractions. my friends, quite simply, peace pays. israel's vibrant society and economy and scientific and technological achievements, all of them would suddenly receive the recognition they deserve on the world stage because of the barriers broken down and the ability to move within the region. indices with recognition, governments with peace. that is what the future actually could produce. as the bible says, there is a future with a man of peace.

men and women of peace, that is the future that we need to pursue. i have asked you to think today about what happens if this fails i have asked you to think about what happens if this succeeds. the third thing i want to ask you think about today is probably the most important. i want you to do more than just consider the consequences. i asked you to recognize that you have up part to play in choosing which future will become our own. you should also know that you're not going to be alone. the arab league came here to washington. they have just shown that they're ready to take steps forward because they reaffirmed the arab peace initiative, but they did so. they added, we will have land swaps for the first time. in fact, everywhere i go literally china, japan, they

raise this issue. and people ask me about this conflict. what they can do to help and it. with the last couple of weeks i had visits from the prime minister brazil, new zealand, and the first thing out of the bounce was how can we help on the middle east peace process. aspen, where is that coming from. you're over in new zealand. they said, yes. it affects all of the recruitment and all of the arguments in radicalism that we face, and they see the prospects and possibilities. everyone is invested in a resolution. everyone has a role to play. my many conversations have led me to believe that both prime minister netanyahu and president of boss could be partners in peace. i know the minister here believes in peace and is working hard to help move that process forward. she is a friend and a valued colleague in this effort to move forward, and i know you will hear from her later.

i think therefore heard genuine efforts to try ted think differently and act differently at this moment. she shares the vision of an israel that is made stronger through a peace agreement that ensures its security and is committed to working to make that a reality. all of these leaders are committed. we are all committed. so no one has a stronger voice in this than the american jewish community. you can play a critical part in ensuring israel's long-term security. as president obama's said in jerusalem, leaders will take bold steps only if their people pushed into. you can help shape the future of this process and in the end you can help israel direct its destiny and the masters of its own fate, just as prime minister. it would be. so i asked you today, send a

message that you are behind this hopeful vision of what can be. let your readers and your neighbors alike know that you understand this will be a tough process with tough decisions, but you are ready to back the leaders to make them. your children do this. your grandchildren do this. israeli children and palestinian children and for israel to let them know that you stand behind the initiations that would leave to states into people's living side by side in peace and security and you are part of the great constituency for peace. let the world know that when the next generation of soldiers stand on the mountaintop in the of that age and all across the chasm, the vast expanses of their homeland, when they say that, they too will hear the echoes of past generations, just as i heard them and that they will know that as the echoes bring in their years, the oath

rings truer than ever. with the commitment of the age a see that you have shown for more than a century, you can help ensure that the state of israel will, indeed, live long in peace and security, not in spite of its place alongside the palestinian state, but because of it. you can help make sure the people of israel, the state of israel will continue to thrive, continued to lead to continue to keep faith with it -- with its ancestors as it keeps faith with its future. that is what lies in front of us. i hope together we will seize this moment and make the most of it. thank you and god bless. [applause]

[applause] >> it is a very important thing that we are seeing from the community, real engagement and the substantive issues. people are debating whether not to have a spectrum. we are debating what the first broadband and plans should look like. that's a hard question. the u.s. will be the first country in the world to figure out. there are tricky but important issues to address. >> is not like the new chairman will walk in on friday as are having an auction on monday. there are a series of very complicated orders that need to go out. as i said many times to four, it is no exaggeration, this will be the most complex in world history, but the chairman comex chairman and that we are moving faster. and have all along.

and so the eyes of the world are looking at the u.s. >> to former sec commissioners on the upcoming spectrum auctions and other major communications issues tonight on the communicator's at 8:00 eastern on a c-span2. >> the first speech by as sitting first lady, became the first president of the daughters of the american revolution, designs are on china and establishes the white house china collection and is the first to have a christmas tree in the white house. beat caroline harrison, wife of the 23rd president, benjamin harrison. as we continue our series on first ladies with your questions and comments. facebook in twitter tonight live at 9:00 eastern on c-span, c-span radio, and c-span.org. >> at the white house earlier today, press secretary j. carney

reacted to this in to be released report on an improper spending by the irs on conferences. here's a look. >> the president seen it the ig reports. it is not a waste. talk about the fact that the irs employees using presidential suite and conferences. does he think that is appropriate? >> well, in answer to your question is us in the report, but, no, it is nothing that conduct is appropriate. i would point you to a savings released by the acting irs commissioner his says, this conference has been an unfortunate vestige from a prior era. taxpayers should take comfort that a conference like this would not take place today. sweeping new spending restrictions had been put in place at the irs. dropped more than 80% and similar large-scale meetings did

not take place in 2011, 2012, or 2013. the second of a point at the present as make trading an efficient and effective government a priority, corner some of his administration, everyone is administration must take their will * of the taxpayer dollar a very seriously that is why in may of 2012 the administration outlined a series of actions for reining in spending and increasing both the transparency and oversight of federal conference and travel activity. the federal government spending on travel which includes conference a activity was reduced by more than 1 billion in fiscal year 2012 as compared to fiscal year 2010. on travel spending, agencies have lowered there spending on travel compared to us fyi 2010 levels by roughly $2 billion. the department of agriculture reduce travel costs by over 145 million. the drug enforcement administration and been to mandatory policy guides for employees to use lowest

available fares for a travel. to this policy alone al qaeda chief over six and a half million in savings in fiscal year 2012. examples of those recommended that the president as to up bringing out waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars. >> the omb. >> tomorrow morning on washington journal, the look at foreign policy with republican representative christopher smith of new jersey. he is the chairman of the subcommittee on africa global health, human rights and international organizations and we will be joined by a member of the house ways and means committee, representative john larsen, a connecticut democrat who will take your questions about congressional oversight of the internal revenue service. you can also call into talk with christian science monitor staff writer mark clayton about his article on terror watch list.

that is washington journal live on c-span tomorrow morning 7:00 a.m. eastern. and also tomorrow, the senate armed services committee will hold a hearing on pending legislation regarding sexual assaults in the military. we will hear testimony from the joint chiefs of staff, general mark tnc, army chief of staff general rate of piano, and the, not of the marine corps, general james amos. watch the hearing live in 9:30 a.m. eastern here on c-span 34 listen on the c-span radio. earlier today at the white house cannot president obama discussed mental health issues and ways to raise awareness and understanding. mental health is one part of the president's plan to reduce gun violence. he talked for about 20 minutes. [applause]

>> good morning and welcome. i feel deeply honored to be here with you today to openly discuss that very important topic of mental health in america today. mental health disorders affect tens of millions of people throughout our country each year. instead sumed will suffer in silence. those who do receive treatments will be left to face the feelings of shame, guilt, and secrecy. that understand these challenges all too well. i connect with this deeply because i have been there. i was 15 on august 5th of 1999 when suicide took my brother's life at the ag age of 20 in the acre of grass next to our child at home where we used to laugh

and play together. eight years later at the age of 23i was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. after suffering for years in silence. as i began to heal, however, i had this overwhelming urge to share my story with others. i have been able to do that for the past years through active mines, a national nonprofit organization that empowers students to openly discuss mental health issues on campuses nationwide. the tens of millions of people who are suffering, they are our friends, family members, our neighbors, colleagues, and it is time we pull together to put an end to the suffering. and now it is my pleasure and honor to introduce to you the president of the united states, president barack obama. [applause]

>> thank you. thank you so much. thank you so much. welcome to the white house. thank you for that introduction and sharing your story and making such a difference through your organization. we are really flattered to have you here. i wanted thank secretary sebelius, secretary arne duncan, secretary ric shinseki for the leadership in helping organize this event, and i also want to acknowledge some outstanding members of congress who are here and to care deeply about this issue. finally, i want to thank all of you for participating in this national conference on mental health. we wanted to bring together folks who have suffered from

mental illness and families who have supported them. we wanted to bring together advocates and educators, state leaders, veterans, local officials. all of you have shown an extraordinary commitment to what is at a critical goal, and that is to make sure that people are not suffering in silence and that we have the capacity to pull together all of the resources and support and love that is out there to go after an extraordinary challenge in our society. the main goal of this conference is not to start a conversation. so many of you have spent decades waging long and lonely battles to be heard. instead, it's about elevating that conversation to a national level and bring mental illness out of the shadows. you want to let people living with mental health challenges

know that they are not alone and we have got to be making sure that we are committed to support those fellow arkansas. because struggling with a mental illness or caring for someone who does can be isolating, and i think everybody here who has experienced the issue in one way or another understands that. it begins to feel as if not only are you alone, but that you should not burden others with the challenge and the darkness, day and day out, what some call a cloud that you just can't seem to escape beginning to close and . the truth is, in any given year one in five adults experience on this. one in five. 45 million americans suffer from

things like depression or anxiety, schizophrenia or ptsd. young people are affected at a similar rate. so we all know somebody, a family member, friend, neighbor, who has struggled or will struggle with mental health issues at some point in their lives. michele and i have both known people who have battled severe depression over the years, people we love. oftentimes, those who seek treatment go on to lead happy, healthy, productive lives. so we know that recovery is possible. we know help is available. yet as a society we often think about mental health differently than other forms of health. you see commercials on tv about a whole array of physical health issues, some of them very personal. [laughter] and yet we whispered about

mental health issues and avoid asking too many questions. the brain is a body part, too. we just know less about it. there should be no shame and disgust -- discussing or tricking helpful treatable alices that affected many people we love. to get rid of that embarrassment, the stigma. to many americans who struggle with mental health thomases are still suffering in silence rather than seeking help, and we need to see that the men and women who would never go to their doctor if they had a broken arm or go -- came down with the flu, but they had that same attitude when it comes to their mental health. and we have seen veterans to come home from the battlefield with the invisible ones of war, but we feel somehow that seeking treatment is a sign of weakness when, in fact, it is a sign of strength. we see it in parents who would do anything for the kid fight

their mental health battle alone . afraid that reaching a was somehow reflect badly. recede and the tragedies that we have yet to prevent. i want to be absolutely clear that the overwhelming majority of people who suffer from mental illnesses are not violent, will never pose a threat to themselves or others, and there are a lot of violent people with no diagnose mental health issues we also know that most suicides each year involve someone with a mental health or substance abuse disorder and in some cases when a condition goes untreated it can lead to tragedy and a large-scale. we can do something about stories like these. in many cases treatment is available and effective. we can help people who suffer from mental illness continue to be great colleagues, great friends. the people of we love.

they can take up some pain and give them a new sense of hope, but it requires all of us to act there are a few ways that we can do our part. first, we have to do a better job recognizing mental health issues in our children and make it easier for americans of all ages to seco. today less than 40 percent of people with mental illness receive treatment. less than 40%. even though three-quarters of mental illness is emerged by the end -- by the age of 24, only about half the children with mental health problems receive treatment. think about, we would not accept it if only 40 percent of americans would cancer get treatment. we would not accept it if only half of jack people with diabetes can help. why should be accepted when it comes to mental health?

it doesn't make any sense. the good news is they're plenty of groups who are stepping up to change that. so a former colleague of mine, gordon smith, former republican senator who lost his son to suicide. our members speaking so eloquently about. gordon is now the head of the national association of broadcasters. today the national association of broadcasters is announcing a new campaign designed to change attitudes about mental illness through tv ads and social media. gordon does not want other parents to go through the agonizing loss that he has endured. so we thank you for that rework. [applause] secondary school principals who are holding assemblies and mental health, organizations

like the ymca who are volunteering to train staff to recognize the signs of depression and other mental on this is in our young people. you have leaders from different faith communities who are getting their congregations involved. dozens of other organizations that today made similar commitments. we're very thankful to all of you. other people who are leading by example. my great friend patrick kennedy, when he was running for reelection back in 2006 he could have avoided talking about his struggles with bipolar disorder and addiction. let's face it. he is a kennedy. [laughter] he was a -- everybody loved him. and yet patrick used his experience as a way to connect

and to lift up these issues, not hide from the. and one day a woman came out to patrick at a senior center and told them she was afraid to tell her friends that she was taking medication from mental illness because she was worried they might trigger different. she told patrick, you're the only one who knows aside for myself. fema and so patricks realizing how much power there could be fr people to speak out on these issues. he carried the stories back within to washington where you work with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including his dad, to make sure the mental health services to get through your insurance plan and work are covered the same way that physical health services are. [applause]

so because of patricks' efforts and colleagues who have worked with him, it is easier for millions of people to join him on the road to recovery. which brings me to a second point. it is not enough to help more americans seek treatment. we have to make sure that the treatment is there when they're ready to seek it. for years now our mental health system has struggled to serve people who depend on it. that is why, under the affordable care act, we are expecting mental-health and substance-abuse benefits for more than 60 million americans. mental health insurance. [applause] the new health insurance plans are required to cover things like depression screening for adults and behavioral assessments for children. beginning next year insurance companies will no longer be able to deny anybody coverage because of a mental health condition.

[applause] we also invest in science. basic research to make it easier to diagnose and treat disease early. earlier this year i announced an ambitious initiative -- initiative to develop tools for mapping the human brain which could help scientists and researchers on what the answers to conditions that affect mental health. we're also doing more to support our troops. our veterans who are suffering from things like traumatic brain disorder, the traumatic brain injury or ptsd, posttraumatic stress disorder. and today we lose 22 veterans a day to suicide. twenty-two. we have to do a better job than that, of preventing all too

often silent tragedies. that is why we poured an enormous amount of resources into high-quality care and better treatment for our troops. and today the veterans association is going even further, a partner with 24 communities in nine states to help reduce wait time for veterans seeking mental health care. and there's a have met their goals of hiring 1600 new mental health providers which means this summer they will hold more than 150 summits like this one in communities all across the country so that every one of our service members and veterans understand, just like to take care of yourselves and each other on the battlefield, you have to do the same thing off the battlefield. it's part of being strong. but for many people who suffer from mental illness, recovery can be challenging. what helps more than anything, what gives so many of our

friends and loved ones strength is the knowledge to you are not alone. you are not alone. you're surrounded by people who care about you and who will support you on the journey to get well. we are here for you, and that is what this conference is about. that is why these issues are so important. so if there is anybody out there who is listening, if you are struggling, seek help. >> thank you, mr. president. >> you're welcome. [applause] [applause] if you know somebody who is struggling, helped them reach out. remember the family members who shoulder their own burdens and need support as well. and more than anything, the people who are suffering in silence of the recovery is possible. they are not alone. there is hope. there is possibility.

and that is what all of you represent with the extraordinary 110 advocacy of already done. thank you all for being here. let's do everything we can to help our fellow americans feel and thrive and now i would like to turn it over to secretary sibelius' it will be leading our opening. thank you very much. [applause] [inaudible conversations] ..

>> up next, "the communicators," and in 30 minutes, on c-span2, a conversation about federal transportation spending and safety. >> host: this week on "the communicators," exit interview with the former chairman of the fcc and top republican, robert mcdowell, both of whom retired from the commission just recently. al,