here. pointing fingers are angry or upset. phase a mentor for us because we didn't have a food market in the beginning it was compounded by the riots. >> what food stores here? >> stop, shop, and save was one of a stores. on monroe. as a matter of fact, if you get an opportunity today you won't even know that the stores there. been a good community partner for us acquire the property. we could not find food markets to come in and replace stop shop and save.

it is just vacant land right now. >> where is the corpus to the closest supermarket? 's. >> a little more than a mile the health department has officially considered us in the food business. what makes it challenging is just the bare necessities'. a few small stores and we have run out so fast because so many people trying to get to them. one of the biggest challenges and cost $7.50 one way. $15.2 ways. whether using a cab or -- yes, we yes, we have a significant number. in some cases that's the only way they get their. and what the and what the neighbors are seeing is that $15 may be a nice meal for the family. so we basically have been challenged to make certain neighbors go with each other to the food market, be careful not to ride with someone you don't know but the ride in the food created even more problems.

additional problems came because we're in the western police district's. our homicide rate in march of this year put us back in number one for being the most violent district in the city of baltimore. that got compounded. we are now in day 24. we're we're close today 24 where we have seven blocks within our neighborhood within walking distance the don't have streetlights. we have one shooting. what we have had is -- i won't say excuses, that is probably the best word i can use, the city blaming pg&e exelon blaming pg&e. we don't care who is responsible. even today 24 days later we have had police lights sitting on blocks that have never been on's. we still don't have all those lights on.

compound that. today's ago we had four houses totally burned up. neighbors living in all four it is like one tragedy after another. what we were able to discern command we have scheduled a major. [inaudible] for santana, winchester's command harlem park. these are the three communities that the baltimore city health apart and has written to reports one in 2008 and one in 2011. they helped profile they helped profile these communities. we have set up a meeting for august the 1st's. the data is really scary. the homes in our communities make less than 25,000. 55.7 percent median house income less than 25,000. compared to baltimore city 33 percent.

unemployment 21 percent. sixteen 16 years of age or older compared to 11 percent in the city. as i go through the statistics, we are almost doubled its. 30 percent live in poverty compared to 15 percent in baltimore city. 36.9 percent are headed up by single parents were 26% are in the rest of the city. 43 percent of our residents 16 years of age were 64 between 16 and 64 are not in the labor force at all. 43 percent, almost half of our neighborhoods' read education 75% of our residents 25 years or older have a high school degree or less compared to 52% of

education in baltimore city. we look about just about everything. alcohol density. 8.1 compared to 4.6. it is just one data after another. this is report done by johns hopkins data after another. this is report done by johns hopkins and the city of baltimore health department. as a result of the data we have -- and the list goes on and on, the death rates compared to the rest of the city, 55.3 percent is your life expectancy in this neighborhood were in baltimore city is 71.8. avoidable deaths, 50 percent of the deaths in our neighborhood are avoidable. 36 percent. we are dying of things that could be handled. i don't i don't want to bore you with the data, but it really substantiates how devastating health and life expectancy is. and then when you add on things like no food markets

increases and liquor stores, we have had a significant increase in stores selling loses cigarettes sold individually. we want to hit on a couple of issues. one of the largest associations with a little more than 3,000 residents covering a little more than 52 blocks. anywhere between 40 to 50 houses. the most important thing to a neighborhood association is matthew henson elementary school in our children. that is our most important priority, and we are happy to have our illustrious vice principal here. and the lady who handles the food pantry literally we had five tractor-trailers' full of food just about

every member of the ravens here command had they not been here we may still be trying to unload this tractor-trailers. within two hours each day that we did it and we have to say the principal for vice principal, the great staffordshire within two hours the food was gone everyday. they are still doing this because our neighbors have nowhere to go. little things like a diaper they have no stores to go to. we have stores -- a probably should not say too much, selling pampers individually, breaking up the packs and actually selling it because that is how desperate the neighborhood is. we have no pharmacy, no health center no senior center, a recreation center with three runs and one of them is a computer room.

there is a list. >> the rec center is run by the city. >> run by a omega baltimore. these young men do an excellent job. what they have is the equivalent of three runs. actually, the center of but they are just so many things we don't have the high quality food market. we are asking that there be a a reduction in the class size's. our class sizes are astronomical. >> talking. >> talking to some of the teachers who were telling me the class size is too high. >> no community center. we have issues like this. we can't get to matthew henson don't have a state, federal state, federal, or city agency anywhere. whenever we have to have meetings we have to beg the school will we have them in the street. we we have no place to go. more money is coming in for summer jobs. unemployment doubles anything else in baltimore city. we are saying and are glad

to hear it. look at the communities 1st that are already unemployed. you know, it is great that all of our kids get some summer job. we're saying we are almost double the negative of any other community's. we have no mental health committee. in zip code 21217, 21216 we have the highest return rate of former felons floor of the highest return rates of folks that have been addicted that come into our community. neighbors, friends, family's. we welcome family's. we welcome them, but we are inundated with everything that is negative and not enough that is positive. i no i have been going to five. >> no, this is helpful. i was going to share with you a study that was done in

baltimore about a year and a half ago. they did a study of life expectancy by zip code. i don't know the life expectancy in the zip codes you mentioned's, but it varies by as much as 30 years depending on where you live. thirty years. that is that is a pretty dramatic difference. now, there is not one cause without. some of it is violence, some of it is not having healthy food, some of it is not having recreational facilities, some of it is not having healthcare facilities. a lot of that is reasons why we have serious issues. we have to deal with that. going to give you a chance chance's. are we in your area? >> yes. >> the council. nice council. nice to have them here. >> thank you, senator, mr. president. we understand and know the structural issues that plague this community.

the one thing i keep leaning on, rob emanuel said the worst thing you can do is waste a crisis. the eyes of the world were put on west baltimore and there has been a lot of attention and focus and it is important that we lean on our federal state, and local folks to try to end some of these decades-old issues. at the end of the day the things we're talking about were not created overnight, but we have to ensure that we are putting the right plans in place to try to eradicate and forever change the trajectory. you know my hat is off to this community because at the end of the day they continue to fight. they do not allow anything to go unanswered. i try to hold everyone accountable to deliver a service and you know, know they are the type of committee that we need throughout the city of baltimore. in this area, too, we know that the statistics are significantly damning,

especially some of the disparities are on health and employment and all the critical things. but i think there is also a lot of positive that we can try to build off of it's like the metro. not many communities have the opportunity to have a to metro -- a metro a metro directly in the community. life center for urban families which is nationally known. anchor institutions. so. so i think what we need to do is understand and know the issues but also develop an action plan and game plan around some of the things that we know are anchors in the community. we know they are offering asylum. it will be well underway. we know that we have the science technology building

right on north avenue. right avenue. right now working when they were designed centers' to do a streetscape plan's. certain things like that. identify the low hanging fruit and envelop a true, actionable plan to figure out how we can change the trajectory of the committee. >> that is great. i thank you for that. you have to build on your strength. we need to.that out. improve it and use it. not having a food stores unacceptable. it's ridiculous. >> were in a recreational desert. this is something we have known that folks continue to

fight for and that we will have to continue to fight for but there is to be a premier quality recreational facility. you look at the statistic per capita the number of adolescent violence in all directly ties' sorely needed >> where do your people go? 's tell me what you do. >> an honor to be here. we don't have a baseball field. and we practice that nearby easterwood part across the street harvard.

as part of the program we have one of our alumni here. address some of these challenges. applying the skills they are learning to address these challenges. for easterwood part, for example, what to the process of engaging the committee to see if that is a potential solution to build a baseball field. through that process we learned it was not the right size but we still were able to address the fact that the junior varsity girls team does not have a field. able to collaborate with the community and build a softball field and there is another diamond area. we made that literally filled. so we have learned from that experience. still trying to ultimately

build a baseball field. we are continuing to engage the community and try to find's green space bar space that has been vacated to pursue this as something we can address. it would help james mosher. two beautiful little he feels. when kids turned 13 they run out of places to play. the councilman talks about not having adequate places. west baltimore does not have a baseball field. they have a division one baseball team and don't have a a baseball field. they travel around the country -- around the county we talk a lot about food and help. as a metaphor for the inequality that we have here. >> senator, i want to try to

hit's entire with education. the oldest continuous predominantly african-american baseball team for children. we literally have 16 baseball fields in west baltimore. you can't play on it. the reason we know they are baseball fields because they have what is called the backstop the metal facilities behind. it is not that we necessarily do not have -- [inaudible conversations] >> it is not maintained. i did not want to get away from what is considered to be the most important for our children and the education. we have a vice principal here. they have some things that we feel are imperative to help them continue teaching our scholars. you look at the fact that

classes are so large. it is a wonder. i want to turn it over if i could and let them share with the school feels they need that they are not getting. >> good evening. that is absolutely correct. we are starving for the art computer center. we are now in the age of taking a park assessment and doing everything on the computer. we have such as -- have to strategically plan how we will find the time to assess all of our students because with the most part we have computers are outdated, have to go in each morning before each session to see how many will be working on a different day. we are staggering classes. there are not computers.

some days they are working. probably about 30 computers in the room. sundays were lucky if we have tony. not to mention we don't have central air. that's another problem. >> we have maybe one or two in each classroom. realistically we depend on that computer lab as far as technology. >> we have about 387 students total. >> tell. >> tell me about the class-size. >> extremely large. two teachers on each level and 30 plus in most of our classes. the exception of grade five. it's about 25, 26. pre-k and k teachers we can afford to buy teachers. most of them i does go to staffing.

but we have done a supplement that is the higher temps. it comes down to where you put this extra teacher. we figured we would start while the years. so we do have temps there. >> these are assistance. >> well, yes. you can call them assistance for lack of a better word. also, we have no afterschool program. we don't have money for that. spending most of our money on staffing. >> if you money on staffing. >> if you had money tell me what that would mean. >> we need intervention. a lot of our students are not reading on grade level. that trickles over to math. they have to read. they have

to solve problem solving problems. therefore, we need interventions at the school. school. we don't have money to hire the intervention teachers. we are. we're strapped. luckily we have a good staff that does contribute and give time after school. they are tutoring students after school, school, using materials that for the most part are probably outdated. teachers teachers are relying on three items on the computer. we are in need of afterschool programs. as students have nowhere to go. >> i was i was going to ask you that. they come from families where the parent or parents might be working. >> some. that is the essence with some of our students. luckily some of our students go. the three run facility. so when i leave here in the evening sometimes sometime this late and we have six and seven -year-olds out a dark riding bikes up and down the street because they

have nowhere to go. we are we are in dire need of afterschool programs funding for afterschool programs. >> that is money well invested. there invested. there are efforts being made nationally to increase the afterschool funding issues. the city is strapped for funds and a lot of it comes to the state. the extra money for the city. it is no question that this is challenging. i think your teachers for being willing to stay later and help's. >> the technology would play an important part. as teachers are not able to intervene like they need to and i felt that if we had the computers i will be an area in the classroom for small groups to practice or for that reteaching were something that gives them that extra half an hour to

intervene. so we are in dire need. >> need. >> i agree with the priority. my top priority will be education. afterschool programs recreation centers and all those to keep them busy and out of trouble and gives them the opportunity to get the skills that they need to advance. that, to me, has to be our highest priority. but but for a neighborhood to grow and be strong you have to have the local businesses. elena shah this is your from the small business of ministration. we talked before. they have been here since day one. i want to thank her the administrator. she has been to the neighborhood to watch the streets committed to finding creative ways to

help businesses. a lot of businesses cannot afford loans. you certainly don't have the time to figure out how to do this. they brought the center to you it's. a library a library where you can get the information you need. we have come to the neighborhood. doc mentioned that there were 14 businesses that were damaged by the unrest. that is horrible. affects a lot of people in the committee. we have at least one business owner here. >> happy to have the honor of oxford liquor. on the corner of north and fulton one of the businesses that is still trying to get things put back in. we would love for our friends to introduce himself

and he seated next to the lady from fda. it was not open. for those stores they were not open we were physically taking the materials. for those for those that were not open they're were physically stapling them on the door. taking it down. appreciated. is this -- in business less than a year. so sad. we're all grown up.

the support. my neighborhood. the element of school. asking. focus on the 25 went to school 1st. he could focused on going to school 1st. less to deal with.

the neighborhood. able to do well in the committee. we really need to reach out. we we have talked to some of our partners and other agencies as to how we can give food stores located in underserved areas how we can get health clinics in underserved areas a better way for businesses in the committee. it's don't have the duke go elsewhere. all the businesses benefit. by the way housing doesn't help. we help. we also have to deal with

the housing issue. talk to secretary castro a lot of these issues. the state has to take care of the housing. were not trying to bounce from one level of government we all have to figure this out. nick has the hardest job because he turned anyone else. they push things and municipalities. we all want to be in this together. we're telling me your cell phone. i made a list. going to try to explain this came out of one of our

meetings' i love the rahm emanuel's comment. you don't want to miss a crisis. we have opportunities now that we did not have before. let's take advantage and make sure we listen to the community and that made the right priorities. and then we need to have the metrics to be able to evaluate whether we have done things right. you have to have some way to judge. how many of our children are actively engaged in constructive activities afterschool? that's a good metric to figure out. take a look at the student body and see whether they are in enrichment programs athletic programs helping the community safe environment to do there work that is something we can try to figure out.

do we have the diversity in business establishments the community needs? you like to have a cleaner pharmacists, food store, fresh produce. that's what you want to have in the community. when it's all said and done have wake up as those goals? >> frankly the schools are always a challenge, a challenge, but it has to be our highest priority. you're going to have an even more difficult problem on class size if you don't get attention. as i understand it is pretty well at maximum. >> want to hit on a couple more things. housing 39 percent of our houses have letting them compared to 11 percent's. major health issue.

households they get their energy got off. 86.9 percent, the number of energy cutoffs per 10,000 households in our community compared to 39 percent in baltimore city. almost triple the number. the housing issue is a number issue. boarded-up houses. is not a week because by. we had one just two days ago, 1700 block. they go in and sell drugs. they lived through these houses. you can find too many. i don't want to get off another education issue. my family has dealt with libraries since the lawsuit

occur versus he's. my aunt was the one who sued because they were allowing african-americans to be in management positions. representative. i am so committed to libraries that will we had upstairs is a collection. as the library. our children, for them to be as educated as an even to be that only have to have access to computers but we also don't have but the need to be able to have books and libraries that are updated so many in so many different areas that they should be able to pick up something that helps them. we need a state-of-the-art library. my family grew up in libraries. on august the 1st attempts to address all the negatives that have been reported.

so like we have to make up the data. is there. coming up with the communities joined together in finding solutions. i want to at least have one of our resident speakers the challenges they have been having. we are now in day 24, getting all kind of excuses. if we go today we will see police lights sitting there never been on. >> you mentioned. the failure of the utility company. the city's. the cities when the utilities. utilities when the city's. fifteen, 16, 1700 block might on off. 16700 block. >> private residence?

>> the 1st light went out on may 9. twenty-one days would've been yesterday. >> to you what the problem was. >> first they didn't know. what they have done, hardwired for lights in the neighborhood. otherwise we have none's. there's one a bigger. one on 25 last thursday and walked away. >> not only danger is the way they did it but wasteful and makes no sense. we will check that out. have our staff work with the councilman and see.

>> got the right thing. >> we will work. that seems like something we can get solved. >> the issue of losing for houses in the 1700 block the counterpoints. >> you lost them. >> this is just two days ago. 1700 block. an individual who illegally works and illegal carwash that he was working. we're hoping the police have them by now. neighbors neighbors ready to indicate that at least one saw him pouring gasoline on the porch and then for houses burn's. it's problems that we have with individuals but a

serious mental health issue in this community. we try to look the other way somebody that is not us. it is us. we have a serious health problem. far too many former sex offenders in this neighborhood. the pictures addresses command all of us have to share in the good bad and good, bad and not so good. we have to have the annex your. certain communities like ours are overburdened with what should be shared with all of us. the sex registry numbers are enormous. we had three communities come and meet its share we had. they are all around the elementary school.

>> tell me about your relationship with the district. >> we just met last evening a private meeting that they attempted to have. they they decided that they would meet privately with the new head of the western district. the western district is looking at the data the toughest district in the city of baltimore. we have had seven to nine in the last eight to nine years. it's like one every other year. we have we have not had a representative of the western district of the civilian review board not been to a meeting at five years. right now we are in month number nine. >> that. >> that is what we have to correct. there is a lot to be said

about knowing the problems of your community and in working with law enforcement police, state's police states attorney, local officials to deal with safety in the community as a team. you have to understand the challenges. there is not a neighborhood anywhere in maryland of this country that does not have a drug problem. a drug problem. we know we have a drug problem and have to deal with it. it's there has to be a common understanding between the community and police and then we work with law enforcement, the states attorney's office work with the council to work with the state to try to develop a strategy to keep committee safe. >> this community is anxious the history of working directly with the police. when you fill out a carwash form there is one the

neighbors can fill out so when they call the police that will have to give their address other phone number the police, the computer system. we have done have done this month after month after month's. the head of a police community relations trying to make an excuse. it's inexcusable. you can't resolve september. maybe 60 or 70 residents filling out the form in the form of processed. ..

>>

>> and i know they start to make contact with the representatives of the department of justice in a frank way. there are fundamental problems that we have to figure it out. who has not had a chance? thank you for coming. to take our concerns but it it affects us very deeply with the destruction of

homes it was crazy. the bottom line i feel the biggest issue very high unemployment or those who are underemployed. to get more job training that will follow a lot of the other problems those that come into construction and other people coming in from long distances to do this work when people here are qualified to do the work standing by and we're watching and we are blocked. that is immoral we have hundreds of thousands of people of men and women to can do these jobs to give more minority jobs and

minority job training that follows a lot of problems. jobs, jobs jobs. >> education is my number one priority related to the number two priority. i agree. jobs present opportunities for people's future it gives them dignity and income with more training tour of france. the you have to advance and when working their less likely get into trouble particularly in the summertime. maybe it does not pay a lot it is what we need to do. jobs, jobs, jobs. we have lots of programs. we will try to focus on community such as west baltimore. we have those hot stone

setter aimed at economic tools for businesses to locate high unemployment areas. with tax credits with the new markets that is used with job opportunities and a to exhortation bill. those that have the highest lovell's of unemployment. to stop and check the box to give everybody an opportunity. not one of us has had a second chance. stop denying people economic opportunities just because they make a mistake. we have to change a whole metrics and have more jobs here in this committee.

we will have the metrics to see if we can deliver. >> the neighborhood is a cheat -- association called for the u.s. congressional hearing seven community presidents around the area all agree that it spiked again. we could go three blocks down the street i could take five minutes and come back to buy some of the most pier here with the state of maryland has. to the governor's task force county after county it is from the majority of those individuals those indicated they bought a year in baltimore.

it may have the major task force in broad daylight you could buy heroin you don't even have to ask for they will tell you out loud what they're selling. every day. for the governor to have his relatives his or her life as a result of hair with or a type of drug for it to become an epidemic. is out of hand our seniors are buying the drug we have a place right here.

1 + 1 we were happy takes to one of the leaders you have to put a camera inside and outside it looks like a car wash. it is with plain daylight weather is a slowdown that they were giving us a breather. that is what they said. fled to the representative said they were giving our communities a breather. we don't want to ask for another state of emergency but it is clear we need more than what we're getting the neighbors see drugs being sold every day in front of their lives. >> i agree completely on the drug issue.

they're 24 political jurisdictions in maryland and heroin is mention ended everyone as a problem. the number of deaths related to overdose has increased dramatically in all parts of our state. is a crisis and baltimore city but also end baltimore county and howard county and every county in the state. we need to have a comprehensive way to deal with the. mitt isn't just a maryland problem is a national problem. so it really does mean much tougher supply is to deal with demands. the demand strategy has never worked. you need to take a new approach. that requires we don't need

to lock people up to our users but to help them with treatment. i just want to bring to your attention there is a place called mosaic that opened a couple weeks ago. it survived a the riots by the way it is just ready to open and is located located, somebody help me? near 22nd and charleses' of mental health addiction center and it gets many referrals from the criminal justice system but it is doing incredibly effective work but i invite you to do take a look at it because they are touching people's

lives. >> you have to start someplace so let see if you can get that type of program here in this community to help those that have addiction problems so they know there is people on their side also work to make sure those selling on the streets cannot do it the way they are and to make sure it is tough to stop the demand side of the equation. i really do think we can make progress. past to start neighborhood by neighborhood. i will work with you. >> last year we adopted a lot. before the grass got cut would be six but or 7-foot

tall before they cut it. but how many pieces of furniture would we find in the law once it was cut down? ironically we have the three services actually cut the grass. we sought a potato chip bags that would blow on it but the mere fact we cut that every week to neighbors respected and loved it. and he is older than we are we would like to acquire two more lots. in to fill big signs that

the neighbors are proud of it. and we have to lawn mowers. but there is no way physically. >> we will try to find you one there is a lot of people out there. >> i would like to put in a plug.

there are students down there and they need help in certain areas. without mechanics and they need to be looked at. concerning technology as well. from all over the city. please don't forget that. >> i agree. i am strong opponent of technical education and i have visited many high-school is to doing it

very effectively. we want children to reach maximum potential we need people better trained is the trades. and then to work with the trade unions. >> i have tried twice. >> times r8 -- i'm sorry.

nobody would ever confuse not to be active on the community. >> i would complement for racial profiling. with mothers against violence and i'm happy and of course, the gangbangers.

but this city is on their way to hell. to find as a vacant piece of property. and to turn into a of safe haven would so what your feelings with the emergency meeting to see what they can do as a community. to have that grey issue.

and i know your heart is honest. >> let me summarize. from this discussion and we have to make progress. for this community where i would like to see us do is a vacant lot it seems there are ways to convert those into a plus for the community whether a ball field all our let's see if we can make some specific progress in that area.

we want to have a food store with a strategy in this community. with the much better relationship you can express them today to develop a strategy so they are working together. so that when you see a police officer you are happy, not scared. to deal with the number one problem so let's take a look if we get some help through the community for those three using drugs to know they're not welcome here to

make sure that doesn't happen. and by all means my number one priority because there are so many schools or communities we have to put more priorities are in our schools. we need better equipment equipment, computers children are sponges but you have to be able to give up. so remember children are our priority and future and let's work on that. there are many other issues including all the issues that you talk about. >> guest: to make some final comments then we will turn it over.

>> is a critical part of the partnership. >> they are a part of the team still neck and jerome is my key contact cement i am with the development corporation in the clergy caucus we will be having a resource fair for job training and other services in this committee. so thieu's those services directly to the residents of the community so they can be

a part of what is going on. >> first and foremost, you're not just here to listen but to take notes to help with action and that is a type of leadership you have always had an very truly appreciated. but unfortunately your community issues thrall different places. view -- you speak up with the strong voice. and to have a tremendous amount of assets and resources to build upon.

to come up with a realistic plan and we can see that improvement withal the communities. >> thanks for all they we're doing. >> i want to share this time. thanks for being here. >> baltimore is a beautiful city. full of positive things to like to encourage their remaining businesses that had damaged to come to the library to supply for the loan. i have been there may

disasters to find that most disaster loans and to work you can rebuild. you can recover. sit down with our people we can help you to the process to help those to recover. also another positive note at the library to take applications we have 17 and 19 year-old coming in to ask about our entreprenuers chip. that is amazing. we have other people coming in but the 19 year-old is an insult but it is amazing that we have people that young interested so i encourage you to encourage everyone to come to the table to decide if they have

capital access. we have many people interested in the community in small-business to direct them to the items with. >> the administrator has made funds available for counseling and venturing and helping businesses get started with young people with the entreprenuers chip as the funds are available. we do have opportunities out there. get to the library for the information and we will absolutely follow-up. >> on behalf of the neighbor association and the elementary school we cannot save you enough. we may be the squeaky wheel but it you heard us and we cannot thank you enough. i think this discussion has

been so extensive legacy to have a handle on what problems we have but to do as much as we can to not only address our problems but we try almost every month to do something with the other communities. all the neighbors in the area and surrounding area were invited for all the kids we take the kids to the baseball games. we try to be as inclusive as we can. we will be the organization that speaks out. we put children and community first to take on blood is in our best interest. we need services here that many communities need but we

don't. the pharmacy, we don't have it. no state or federal or city office anywhere here. we need services and we are documenting. but we cannot thank you enough it is my honor to put our schools and children first but we want to be close right behind there. [laughter] thank you sell much. [applause] >> and thank you to c-span. [inaudible conversations]

[inaudible conversations]

>> and good afternoon everybody. as we get started airline to call your attention to the head said to on your seat to then guest will be speaking in in arabic. you can find the english interpretation on channel number one channel never to has arabic please with your

hand if you're having trouble with your headset and we have people on hand. i am the president of united states institute of peace and for those of you who are visiting for the first time we are a congressional recreated independent institute and the last three years we have worked on practical solutions to recovering from conflict. two o his excellency with the council of representatives to the republic of iraq.

and it includes many current and former members and representatives from the iraqi ambassador and a valuable partner. and it has been a priority for over a decade to have an office in baghdad and then we also open another office. then this could have been possible and now we have our acting vice president in africana and the director of the middle east program and that all so who leads the arak programs.

so looking enormous challenges almost one day to the year when moscow fell. -- and as it continues to grow i understand there is an average of 1,000 soldiers and civilians who died every month with the continuing conflict and we have witnessed 3 million men and women and children who have been forcibly displaced from their homes. so to have considerable damage. with a more peaceful iraqi future we recently had the honor to host the prime minister both of them have

underscored how to look to the future to emphasize dialogue to move it forward. so to anticipate for the massive displacements with the cycle of revenge in the liberated areas. we support our iraqi partners in places like baghdad is supporting the iraqi committee for there rights for peace building a network for those facilitators to the aftermath like the massacre.

for those that are determined to see a commitment come together and to be inspired by local leaders and partners now more than ever is the time to talk about peace. for those events that have rocked by iraq. today the distinguished speaker as a pragmatic voice for those worthy occlusive approach to politics and working towards reconciliation and. and most importantly the new

generation of iraqi leadership. a generation with the potential to have a morning caging process as he and others position those to be a key player in the process with a more inclusive future. he will deliver his remarks in arabic before sitting down with the ambassador for a moderated discussion perk -- for those on twitter please remember to use # eight iraqi speaker to expand the conversation beyond the rimm today provide very pleased to welcome on the first visit to washington d.c. our speaker, dr. c. saleem al-jubouri from iraq council of representatives. [applause]

[speaking arabic] >>translator: this is very sensitive and difficult times. i will limit my talk about peace maya talk will be limited to peace in my country with respect to the institute to achieve peace to reduce crisis in the world. but regrettably i am talking

to you with the occupation of one-third of the country. what has caused to the destruction of women and churches and antiquities to take women hostages but some of these return from thousands of years and with that as a result with the

freedoms over the past few years. with the military institutions and as we know with those catastrophic results but regrettably we were dealt with as as as part of the struggle.

and iraq has produced areas and are controlled by them. with that experiment for those and have been displaced and instead of containing them with those ideas, as a result for those people that are targeted.

[inaudible] and then we're watching the results of this and the displacement in this respect to play the role of the watchers despite the situation is so dark i talk to about peace. it can be achieved during the dark movements. because we ayrshire that all those forces they see a

little more optimistic than necessary. it does not call for a disparity. stood do not laugh at the cost of the confrontation the front of which is peace with that reconciliation so to be victorious summer to stand by as that we have to

multiplied the efforts here in our country. but also to save their children from the policies previously. as the key of the iraqi parliament, i think this is no other but if they say it is complementary there is no other terrorist organization and with that implementation

with the three parties solution. [inaudible] to have the system to be able to combat with that restructure to run the efficiency for the

dependents. ladies and gentleman of political process cannot be successful without the policies of polarization but

we cannot data of this policy except with our help from the united states of america. and through pressures. [inaudible] in that condition of that particular one to be in our schools and churches and mosques in then natural resources with the democratic process to

establish confidence is a source for a democracy as the american message was to get rid of saddam hussein finally it expresses the comprehensive project for reform with the challenges we must think of stability in those areas that are captured and to give the model so they can do everything possible to face

the challenge. with the military support surrounded by restrictions the states must not neglect the support the issue that is the struggle in iraq and the institutions those are other institutions outside the framework to impose itself been to make those decisions it is a guarantee for the protection of the minorities it cannot be forgotten with the training

and the equipment for the ones that can to change the role of the tribes so we must also rehabilitate the police and those are under the control of the commander general of the armed forces. so with the collapse of the army and to build a modern

state as terrorism is a very strange phenomenon in the iraqi society that has resulted from those circumstances so to establish peace is a new idea that it could not be a cover for emergencies and society's sometimes so we should not contribute to nothing. a person can take those

important decisions for the future. so with those efforts to spread those ideas to live in peace and i call on you to support the reform and democracy. this is why i decided to come to you here to invest in this partnership of the rise the fates would be totally different. thank you for listening to me. peace me upon you. [applause] >> mr. speaker thank you

very much for that presentation. we were most impressed with your words that the onset expressing your optimism and your commitment to peace and your friendship with people here and other allies around the world summit is a very positive message. you have a difficult job as the speaker of the council of representatives that is a

body they would probably agree as is sometimes have had difficult -- difficulties to come to a compromise our final conclusion that support the movement forward to the country of iraq. can the council of representatives and we are of leadership and with other leaders and deputies that you have, can the council of representatives be a place that does bring back reconciliation with compromise to move forward? day you see this under your leadership of the council? >> [speaking arabic]

speenineteen speenineteen with the executive and though legislature and the government it was the issue of many laws and i can say this was the main challenge with the balanced relationship. we agree about the common grounds and we can differ on the details but this situation was with the cooperation so we decided to talk with the cooperation so

with the council of representatives they approve the budget in record time so we could issue some legislation with a lot of the political parties said is an important step and we're able now that this is bin in the council for eight years also other and the council that came during a very political time but yet the numbers are doing their job within the framework but

the national reconciliation being launched takes real and serious consideration with those political powers in order to achieve the project. >> mr. speaker you mentioned several pieces of legislation that you have laid out as your agenda and you also mentioned in your remarks a piece of legislation having to do with the national guard. many people here will know all too well there are many

military formations national guard will bring some order how would that work with the shia militia or forces under those control? mower the sunii national guard? you mentioned they should all be under the control of the commander in chief how would these three or more military formations fit together? >> to be frank with you to be put into the political agreement there was the feeling at the time with the

security and military aspect and this led to the presence in those areas because the population could not make those security decisions. so to have all those iraqi communities communicate to defend the area is -- to particularly establish a national guard the agreement was to do it locally and with that larger issue after

reestablished that now it is part - - put to work but that project has deviated from what was put forth not just with that military establishment such as army intelligence or police. that is not the purpose. so in the eyes of some is a comfort to them militia anybody who was not in the armed forces and these are prohibited. so consequently we must

pinene the efficient way to prevent this multiplicity fellow of the national guard is what do we need? some say it is a new case or is it will do what it is supposed to do propose some say no. >> mr. speaker if the unified national command the military effort is successful in certain areas areas, in the various components does liberate areas, you mentioned in your remarks reconciliation and

stabilization is important. . .

against teefor, those dash, those are in a much more powerful situation and others. anyone who carries weapons ability to impose his will on others. we had several examples. i call for the international community to focus for stability after liberation. this project for stability

is not assistance and kind and food and others, but it is to achieve stability and to build a new democracy and try to spread the spirit of participation and reconciliation. this is this is not a human project. it is a human project, but it is also a security project. it is important. how can we -- if we achieve justice it will return if there is marginalization and exclusion and if there was a feeling that they were

allowed to participate. participate. the important message today inhabitants not less than two and a half million people under the rule, some are afraid some have no financial power and some women and children, the most important message the models reestablish after liberation are now in much better condition. if these models are bad they would not take eventually. why? so we should have a project for establishing stability taking into account the security in the continuity of democracy. >> we are so pleased that on your 1st visit to the united states you are able to join us here.

you will find a group of very interested people here for a very interested in your country and the direction and the peace that you just described. let me open the floor to questions. i'm going to do to a time. a time. he will answer one of the time. a microphone can be in your hands and we will save time that way. why don't we start appear. right here. and then appear as well's name and affiliation. >> i thank you for hosting this important form the program.

i had an interest in what's going on. i have a question that i cannot find an answer for which is now specifically but the popular mobilization force's. they are complaining that the shia led forces that are doing atrocities in the region, i would like to know your intake and that and quickly many blame the bush administration for what is going on today. in 2,003 was called the perimeter, number two planner dismantle the iraqi army's. so again today popular

mobilization. found ourselves in a big problem. how can we confront dash. to mobilize the people to support the army they come from ambassador armada's

because of the presence with the armed forces should not deny the great efforts that were exerted an important. this is a positive aspect supporting the popular forces to the iraqi army. actions theft, and some practices that showed that these forces are not regular forces and are not disciplined and some of their misdemeanors or bad. as a result we cannot say it was responsible's and should be punished and accountable for this and frankly

speaking even the idea of mobilization as an idea participation of all people, sunni and shia and kurds, the pressburger. the popular immobilization clearly in response to the religious authorities. but how can we contain? what is the framework working through their duties in confronting terrorism. they have a previous experience in the tribes. and many of the children of the tribes had the desire to confront dash, but they don't have the weapons of the capabilities to allow them to get in the confrontation, so they were using forces that command of the government to defend the areas. now, the number of forces

reaches 100,000. but from the population of the government that were occupied by dash alone 17,000 only. if we must take in the consideration's'. >> let me identify the next question. you will follow this gentleman right here. if the microphone can get to this person. >> micro gordon, new york times, mr. speaker since mr. of body became prime minister have there been any significant steps toward political reconciliation?

are you satisfied with the pace of clinical reconciliation in your country? this seems to be no progress on an amnesty law. you mentioned the national guard. the national guard doesn't exist because your council of representatives passed legislation on that. a case can be made that the international community should do more but the perception here is that iraqis have not done enough of political reconciliation. do you reconciliation. do you share that? what do you think needs to be done? >> well, a body we look -- we work as partners. he needs support. also, he must take initiative to implement agreements that were included in the past.

waging underlaying we will create a kind of feeling that no commitment to agreements that were neutral the project reconciliation we are partnered. we will continue to operate. it is not an easy project. it is not slogans. it's a practical project. it's it's not required. efforts in order. we cannot blame one side alone. for those who are committed the greatest margin, but we are all -- we are all

partners. >> this will be the next one year. >> director of the project and middle east democracy. you made a very compelling. that in order to inspire iraqi sunnis living under dash controlled territory to take up arms and a fight against dash that we have to offer those a vision of the future that they could help to have an division the trees them better than they were treated before the government. clearly stated by people such as yourself. what are the main obstacles

how can we begin to overcome those objections? >> regard to legislations most prominent after the committee provided its final report on law. the required discussion decide the matter.

large blocks that can. [inaudible conversations] the issue of consensus is important in the aspects we consider crucial. in july we may in fact adopted. not the process of having new system. >> so, this gentleman right here.

>> sorry. i work. one simple question. what is the definition of reconciliation. iraq. [inaudible conversations] [speaking in native tongue] the 1st female judge in iraq and the middle east. in my country. >> very honored. welcome.

[speaking in native tongue] >> translator: a person who works for his country, misguided people. >> joining the isis and killing, raping iraqi women [speaking in native tongue] [speaking in native tongue] >> translator: we are all iraqis. she keeps switching from english and arabic. >> let me tell you something >> at least speaking one language. [speaking in native tongue]

>> translator: iraq -- [speaking in native tongue] >> translator: all of the -- [speaking in native tongue] >> thank you so much. >> thank you very much. [applause] [speaking in native tongue] >> translator: thank you for the words that were given. the deputy.

she was a judge and became a deputy and we work with our human rights. frankly speaking there are two classes in iraqi society the society and communications. for ten years raised reconciliation. the reconciliation of society. clearly, the iraqi society as a society not as a political class does not have what distinguishes with regard to sectarianism. i believe that i am from the largest tribe in iraq which is the size sunni and shia and they all have relationships. our problem with regard to the project when people start to use it for their

own advantages: they want to get the attention of the people by speaking in sectarian terms. tries to use what he thinks is suitable opposition. this is something that should be, that we should overcome as a matter of fact >> so, we have him here and then the next one we will be back here. a question further out. you will be next. >> i was speaking only one language. >> thank you. [laughter] >> my name is bob kelly counselor with jefferson waterman consulting firm. as an iraqi as an iraqi how do you feel about irani and influence to was there any

irregularity in the vote to discharge the governor. discharged jerry brown for governor of california. i wonder if you thought they were in regularities in that >> we -- there are two methods to remove government the council of government and the 2nd through the council the prime minister in accordance to law. if there is the procedures that the law gave 2 million appeal