here today, a liberal politician who joins us here today from moscow. he's a deputy chairman of the people's freedom party among us which is led until his death last year.

>> she will be on the side of the journalists who neroli himself had approved. so now, let's turn it over to

the author of this new report. [cheers] [applause] [speaking in native tongue] [speaking in native tongue] [speaking in native tongue] >> good afternoon, dear friends. it is a great honor for me to speak here. i'm particularly glad to see many of my hello citizens.

the introduction mentioned the name of the author himself. [speaking in native tongue] [speaking in native tongue] >> he is a very particular person in russian politics. because most of the people prefer not to mention his name. not to talk about him. some of them would just like to raise all of this is the general problem and some of them are difficult to talk with about him. and i believe that it is very important to talk about and to

investigate his activities. >> this issue is not going to go away if we are going to silence it. actually, the silence gives to this problem a much larger scale. [speaking in native tongue] [speaking in native tongue] >> translator: in my report i provide a systematic analysis of the problem, which is the voice to address this situation. [speaking in native tongue] [speaking in native tongue]

>> translator: the main problem is in chechnya we are faced with a quasi- independent and quasi- islamic state which has become less and less attached to the russian government. [speaking in native tongue] >> translator: every year it becomes less and less manageable. and he is turning into an asset for the russian federation. [speaking in native tongue] >> translator: and the main culprit for this issue is presdient vladimir putin who is delegating and it allowed him to

become less and less manageable. [speaking russian] >> translator: in my report we have different points of view and different angles. [speaking russian] >> translator: and it is a big deal in which chechnya is reimbursed. [speaking russian] >> translator: 85% of chechnya's subsidies come in from the federal government, specifically directed by vladimir putin to chechnya. [speaking russian] reporter: many other subsidies

are received, but there is absolutely no control on the wave of this money is spent. [speaking russian] >> translator: the circle he is surrounding, literally it is awash in money and they are swimming in luxury. [speaking russian] >> translator: the official text declaration never went outside of that. however, according to our calculations an average day more than the whole entire calculable attenuation. and he built a private palace for himself in chechnya that was

worth more than 7 billion rubles. [speaking russian] >> translator: whenever he travels around chechnya he is accompanied by luxury cars including porsche and lexis and etc. [speaking russian] [speaking russian] from time to time, when he shows up in public, he displays a varied expensive watch, which would be no less than $300,000 worth. he proudly brags about his collection of expenses and expensive watches. [speaking russian] >> translator: the major corruption in chechnya is part of this foundation.

[speaking russian]. >> translator: the report would provide how the money is accumulated in the council redistributed within chechnya. [speaking russian] >> translator: even more to it, in chechnya we have a practically legalized case where every citizen of chechnya is supposed to pay tribute on these accounts. [speaking russian] >> translator: one of the ways

to collect this so-called fake awards, which are distributed among the official government officials in chechnya. [speaking russian] >> translator: all of the government employees and the school teachers and doctors and so on, they always receive an official salary from the budget. they also receive so-called award money through these channels. [speaking russian] >> translator: but in reality they never see this money because they are expected to transfer this money in a

voluntary fashion to the foundation. [speaking russian] >> translator: we should also be aware of the fact that although the foundation and funds have official goals, they do factor the volatile funds as well. [speaking russian] >> translator: in our report, we provide some detailed expenses from this foundation that were mostly collecting about 4 billion rubles on his accounts.

[speaking russian] >> translator: for example, this 2 million euros was paid out of his accounts to mike tyson who came to visit chechnya and took part in the friendly fight [speaking russian] >> translator: 1 million euros was paid to the famous soccer player. [speaking russian] >> translator: the actor received $1 million just for the fact that she came to chechnya to say happy birthday. [speaking russian]

>> translator: the official expenses, be official goal will declare it as assistance to the needy people. [speaking russian] >> translator: and what is even more interesting is that none of these expenses provoke any kind of issue in the russian land enforcement agencies. and it never ever, for all the use of his distance was it ever tracked by the justice department of russia [speaking russian] >> translator: in this court we

provide a quotation by one of the former chairman of the russian federation whose duty was to check the official legalities of rushing government officials. [speaking russian] >> translator: his name is [inaudible name] and he was asked why does this completely not match the level of expenses in his everyday life. [speaking russian] >> translator: and he was quite frank in his response. he said because we should not bother about him. [speaking russian]

>> translator: one of the issues that we analyzed in the report is a private army that was created in chechnya. and according to our data they have from 25 to 30,000 armed soldiers. [speaking russian] >> translator: the unique picture is that their loyalty was not to the russian government, not to the russian president but to a key himself. [speaking russian] >> translator: in this loyalty is secured by the traditions between the army and himself. [speaking russian]

>> translator: the veterans of the chechnya moore's, the former fighters that fought against the russian army on the separatist side during the previous wars. [speaking russian] >> translator: these people were granted amnesty by the russian government because he used them to switch to his side. says ken [speaking russian] >> translator: these people were not integrated into the law

enforcement structures, they became more personal as they were provided with money, a modern weapons and equipment and with the ids of the law enforcement officers. [speaking russian] >> translator: this experience with the fighters, their salaries than their official status. [speaking russian] >> translator: this army is the best capable unit in all of russia. [speaking russian] >> translator: he pays a great deal of attention to the significance and also the training and the upgrading of his fighters.

[speaking russian] >> translator: recently he recruited the army and an officer that used to be an officer of the famous russian fighters unit. [speaking russian] >> translator: and he is in charge of training and he promises that it will be a very successful unit. [speaking russian] >> translator: recently, last year, actually, there was a competition in jordan between the different special units from the entire world.

the special forces -- the soldiers from the special forces of the united states of germany, israel and other countries took part in this competition. and the unit took the first. [speaking russian] >> translator: the soldiers had a great deal of military experience. [speaking russian] >> translator: my weekly report will present the information about the ethnic chechnya and italian which took part in the fighting in the ukraine. [speaking russian] the battalion was headed by an active law

enforcement officer of the chechnya police. [speaking russian] >> translator: the independent unit allows them to be independent in russian politics and approach anyone that he was like oh i'm the position of force. [speaking russian] >> translator: the lawyer aggressive in the army -- the more aggressive they are dealing with the people in russia, also to the russian reinforcement agencies.

[speaking russian] and last year at a meeting of the security services they gave them permission to any officer that comes to chechnya. [speaking russian] >> translator: the russian law enforcement agency responded on-site. [speaking russian] >> translator: in other important chapters, is the political assassinations in which they believe he was

directly involved. in a number of specific stories -- they have proved that he was involved. [speaking russian] >> translator: the most evident example is the brothers who have fought for him for power in chechnya. [speaking russian] >> translator: first she was considered to be as one of the potential candidates for the president of chechnya. he was executed right in the

middle of moscow -- next to the building of the russian government. and his brother tried to -- try to survive by integrating to do well by going to dubai. [speaking russian] >> translator: several months later he was assassinated in the country of dubai and dubai police detain people who are involved in the assassination, all of them were officers of this army and one of them was

the personal who was responsible -- i'm sorry, the person who was responsible. in the interval declared a search -- [speaking russian] >> translator: the third brother , the person that tried to kill him was [inaudible name] . [speaking russian] >> translator: the failed hit man was sentenced to eight and a half years of jail. but what is more interesting is that during the interrogation he

named the person that gave the order and the issue. and it was he himself. and the minutes of the interrogation were published in our reports. [speaking russian] >> translator: there are opponents, those that are outside of russia as well. [speaking russian] >> translator: for example, the former bodyguard escaped to austria and he publicly denounced any crimes and tortures of people. [speaking russian]

>> translator: he was assassinated in vienna. free chechnya and fighters were detained and one of them had a picture of himself with him. [speaking russian] >> translator: i have no doubts that they embrace the assassination as well. [speaking russian] >> translator: people who were involved -- directly involved in the assassination -- were detained. including the person that pulled the trigger, as well as the people and the groups that we assisted in particular. [speaking russian] >> translator: they are all members of the elite battalion

of the army of the name [inaudible name], which means the north. [speaking russian] >> translator: there is a brother who was declared -- who was declared surged for killing one of the individuals in dubai . [speaking russian] >> translator: and so the file of the investigation, i have no doubt that these other people that were killed were part of it as well. [speaking russian]

>> translator: the links are undeniable. however the investigative committee of the russian federation did not bother to check it. and to question. [speaking russian] >> translator: what we do not know and what we are still trying to figure out is what we could do with the last one in this chain of the assassination or if there is someone else behind him. [speaking russian] >> translator: it is obvious to me that he was guilty in murdering them. but we still need to figure out if there were higher-level persons behind him or not.

>> translator: and i should say that for the russian authorities, for the russian government, no information which contains this support is something new. [speaking russian] >> translator: and latimer putin is perfectly aware and he is not the audience of this report. [speaking russian] >> translator: may be vladimir putin would be happy to get rid of him and make him resign. but he has absolutely no alternative because he himself -- they became hostage. [speaking russian] >> translator: therefore, my appeal is to the russian society and not to the russian government.

[speaking russian] [speaking russian] >> translator: i appeal to the russian society as well as the international community because they are going to be silencing his activities and one day day we will wake up. [speaking russian] >> translator: being a patriot of russia i have no desire to see that you see this issue continue. thank you.

[applause] >> thank you so much for that terrifying and illuminating presentation in your report. i also wanted to thank our guest and partner here. [inaudible] your report it is not just international law. and that vladimir putin himself is stuck in a catch-22.

>> >>. >> given russian tradition either in eliminates the candidate or suggest the same governor. >> [speaking russian] translator: he is demanding a meeting for

putin but so far he has failed. >> [speaking russian] translator: this creates a - - creates a great deal of diversity and a more hysterical manner. >> [speaking russian] translator: the attacks against journalists and human rights activist recently with the human rights activist there was a personal attack for human-rights.

and i strongly doubt putin is ready to resign to give to somebody else. >> [speaking russian] translator: the problem with his own hands has created a situation that there is no alternative because anybody else and make the situation a lot worse baited is now. >> [speaking russian] and. translator: on either hand printed cannot ignore the issues that are popping up so he tries to give lessons and educate.

>> [speaking russian] >> but i don't think he will resign. >> [speaking russian] translator: so with the russian society with that reservation it does look dash in terms of the chechnya and federal government of moscow. >> [speaking russian] translator: the authorities have that power creates all the conditions for the new chechen border -- war. >> and what you have seen almost certainly with another war is more violence

and read aloud to see that in chechnya as specifically. but no doubt lead is involved we don't know with the vital chain of command. but the question that we have been asking is was a challenge your gift to putin? >> [speaking russian] translator: i cannot answer if that was the upcoming assassination and he was the one to order this not. >> [speaking russian] translator: given that situation with russian society we cannot rule out this option as well.

>> [speaking russian] translator: however i beg to prove he was involved while only platoon's role. >> -- putin role and no doubt that putin is responsible. >>. >> [speaking russian] translator: because putin created in russia a dangerous political unit and putin allowed to continue

every time after a blatant act with the assassinations. >>. >> and to create that environment free with those new political assassinations in russia. >>. >> [speaking russian] translator: one more comment mitt it was the gift to putin.

the propaganda will respond to the question by saying that he was less interested in the assassination. >> [speaking russian] translator: this is not true because to be a major beneficiary. >> [speaking russian] translator: not only one of the brightest leaders but basically the opposition to create structures. >> [speaking russian] translator: and with that opposition of the impact brought by his death. >> just to follow up on that

, just since it is over one year knu talk how the political environment has changed? and also your own personal experiences? if you have been following this you know, to be the subject of social media it with various presentations in with this situation faced by the russian opposition. >> right after he was murdered everybody expected that is going to get back to reality.

>> [speaking russian] translator: some were called to establish negotiations to achieve a political consensus. >> [speaking russian] translator: one year later the association got worse it became more dangerous. >> [speaking russian] translator: one year ago we knew that to criticize putin you can be kicked out of the country or put in jail they said it would put

me in jail. >> [speaking russian] translator: anything can happen. isn't with the politicians talk about human rights activists and the ngo activists as well.

>> and he does not mince his words when he tries to threaten his people to burnouts their names -- pronounced their names. >> [speaking russian] translator: recently the president published his economic picture of the leader of the party who also is a former prime minister close with a sniper rifle.

>> in day deputy from siberia with the facebook page andwo days later came to his store of his children. >> [speaking russian] translator: to request against publishing this report. into bandy -- but i dunno

what works. >> and then to build the pressure. >> [speaking russian] because he is the weakest link in to transform our country the matter how dangerous.

>> for those that are here on this side. and with that opposition i think for us with the opposition leaders and individuals so it seems like to meet the western has responsibility of the safety

and to be more involved and how is and if that should or could. >> [speaking russian] translator: there to my state to western ideas the perception is the same it is a the concern for the west. >> but that holds the

western values and then to be on the isis side. >> end in many ways this is a result to create an ideal environment and with that diaspora from europe with

the pressure against the west. >> in and going overseas taking their relatives as hostages and chechen the --. >> [speaking russian] translator: so those members in in europe organized specifically by the block grant in chechnya.

>> [speaking russian] translator: therefore i believe they you should pay more attention to create nattily of problem for national security but national security as well. but the most important thing is to keep in mind to be the main culprit is putin. >> [speaking russian] if that is less significant than that should be addressed to putin who created this phenomenon of his own hands.

>> is that possible? >>. >> in a list of sanctions and then to go close circle it would be more efficient with those investigations as well as other political assassinations in russia.

>> [speaking russian] translator: first of all, we should ask the questions to address the questions to putin because he is the one that is responsible for creating that issue. >> no questions from the audience. please identify yourself. >> right now we see around the world leaders with the

electoral campaign to see a strong charismatic leader who would address putin with the shades compliments. add one of the major questions of the presidential debate what should they be like? there should be tough enough but within russia we know that the russia's next president will have to talk to his replacement then whoever that will be. with the democratic elected leader.

and then what will they do? >> what is your question? >> what should the next leader of russia do? so nobody has a recipe. >>. >> and on that issue. because he is a murderer and he should not have leadership with murderers.

>>. >> [speaking russian] ed with that society and then for such a long time. >> and the count -- a compromise can be found however going back under the russian rule of law. but in order to do this to be with the chechnya society.

my aunt that speech will am. >> 65 mitt met. [speaking russian] translator: at that point to express an interesting idea. with the historical traditions.

>> [speaking russian] with that presentation at that time said they should be killed. >>. >> please keep your questions to a question. >> thank you for your bravery.

i hope everybody stands with this young man is doing by speaking out as a real patriot. it is really bad. but with a phenomenon what does it tell you to allow the 21st century to run around with that senior metropolitan capital to

secure the generals. to be so disempowered that they are afraid to touch that. and through the 19th century in the 18th and 17th century 16th century and then i stop because there is no precedent. can you explain that? >>. >> maybe you have read this. >> [speaking russian]

translator: if he ended up working on the streets in everybody was afraid to. >> but there was only one little boy. >> [speaking russian] translator: putin is very proud he has created a very strong government and state. >> although he is not

willing to show that it is not true. >> there are some yen men from russian politics. into became a figure because he has no brains.

>> [speaking russian] translator: and the russian government is the russian state is such a strong push. >> [speaking russian] translator: the law-enforcement officers is very confusing to be discussed. >> and then day setback.

>> and then this is the essence of his regime. and to be protected. >> and as the threat. >> i never really in touch -- a meticulous all. and to be backing and

supporting and it goes like this during the cold war they had very unsavory regimes. with the iran-iraq war. so there virtu chechen war's. or, etc., etc.. had radically and then it could do pretty much what you want. >>.

>> in with that obstacle through russia to the regime in some time ago but then with the future relationships it is necessary either from the

news reports. >> still beckon with the ideas of chechnya. translator: report i described the checks and balances system in this stage of the rebuilding. >> but the former officer

who was on the russian side. >> and then to be on the operative side to be the prime minister of chechnya. >> [speaking russian] it was supposed to symbolize the national unity also supposed to be a part of the checks and balances system in chechnya but the system failed.

>> end started to push the opposition but petition was trying to control the situation manually. >> [speaking russian] >> he decided to file a simple solution from one person from loyalty.

>> after that they were allowed to do anything that they wanted. and don his side. and with that but to sympathize with the growing and me and could not console anybody else and putin saw that. and he is perfectly aware so

he prefers to feed the monster but the problem is essentially those monsters will start cheating. >>. >> lately i had many conversations with the chechens inside and outside russia.

>> but what is quite obvious >> [speaking russian] translator: therefore i'd like to say they should be able to offer eight meaningful opportunity. it basically but remain part of the russian federation.

>> the young woman in the back. >> there has been advocates for human-rights. but when you were there.

this bill neck and then one more question but they don't know what to do. so what point.

>> [speaking russian] translator: i travel to chechnya in the prison. only one person do it was chechnya at the moment when it is an chechnya theater was "the new republic".

>> [speaking russian] translator: but then. [inaudible] >> [speaking russian] translator: but there was an element of luck and uncertainty on the chechen border the i digitation of

the driver was checked then they would check my and. >> [speaking russian] translator: i did not try to hide. >> id he was alone. >> [speaking russian] translator: with those german or human rights activists. >>

[speaking russian] although russia is a part of chechnya is an saree chechnya is a part of russia it is under completely different legislation. >> [speaking russian] >> did with the portfolio with dead human environments.

in that policy is into western europe. in to express solidarity with the terrorist who killed the journalist. >> [speaking russian] >> there was a large rally in paris and one week later the participants defect express for the terrorist. >> [speaking russian]

translator: but they carry on the policy with that is a limitation of chechnya with the younger generation with those candidates for isis. >> therefore among those who would like chechnya to be independent.

in with the chief of the immigration service's basically who is supporting through their own integrity. >> ed is a problem because if you expect that to come from i don't think he is expecting any help to come from anywhere.

event to make that element uncomfortable that after all putin is. >> [speaking russian] translator: i believe that putin silence is an attempt to gain control it does not mean he is willing to change the situation. >> and has the president of chechnya to still reaches goals. >> [speaking russian] translator: but to take is seriously.

>> [speaking russian] translator: he is trying to figure out to what that means in order to get their response with that loyalty and a graduated way. >> as they are willing to resign. >> [speaking russian] translator: several months ago there were attempts to a compromise.

>> [speaking russian] translator: there were several options discussed for example, to become a representative the other option is the best -- the vice president minister in the chief of the troops.

>> but everything he has is protected from chechnya. >> faq for being here with us today. [applause] [inaudible conversations]

[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]

[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]

[inaudible conversations] the [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]

>> with the u.s. army was looking to build the plant to produce aircraft floor rolled toward to a perfect one beach -- they picked long beach . .

through that time this board started on a wooden floor. it was a lumbar terminal that used to come up from the northwest to supplied lumber for the growing city of long beach and the region. in 1940 we had the naval station and the long beach naval shipyard was their naval complex. they were here until the early 90s. unfortunately through the base closure process the naval

complex shut down and what we are able to do was take an old federal facility and actually turn it into at that time and it still is one of our modern container terminals. where we are today, 104 years later sitting on the most modern sustainable marine container terminal in the world. "usa today" writes a president obama used his last easter prayer breakfast warning people against reacting to the recent terrorist attacks but discriminated against law-abiding muslims think what if easter means anything it's that you don't have to be afraid today's prayer breakfast is about half an hour.

[applause] [applause] [applause] >> good morning everyone. this is one of our favorite events. it's an honor to be with so many faith leaders and lay faithful this one last time for easter in the white house with us anyway. well i will tell you what it's been a great honor, it's been a great honor. you are not bad to work with either you know. i you know jill my wife whenever

she wants to make sure i get the message delivered to me that morning literally she takes it on -- tapes of un-american while i'm shaving. you think i'm joking, i'm not joking. about a year and a half ago, little longer actually, almost two years ago she taped a quote on my mayor which is still there and it's a quote that says -- sees best in the dark and all of you know better than anyone that faith is a gift from god and because faith works best when you know the least, faith works best when you are the most frightened. faith works best when you are not exactly sure where to go. i know there's a lot of fear around the world. the president and i travel around the world a lot.

all you have to do is look at the recent attacks in belgium and turkey and pakistan and while fear is understandable exploiting that fear is absolutely unacceptable. when innocent people are ostracized simply because of their faith, when we turn our backs on the victims of evil and persecution, it's just wrong so it's up to us and you have been the leaders in this country to recognize that fear but also try to allay that fear and to help people understand what unites us is a lot more than what divides us. it's embodied in not what we believe but what we say. we all practice the same basic faith but different faiths. i happen to be a practicing catholic and i grew up learning from none is and the priest who

we used to call the social doctor. it's not fundamentally different it's what you do to the least among us you do unto me. it's you have an obligation to one another. it's we cannot serve ourselves at the expense of others and we have a responsibility to future generations. all faiths have a version of these teachings and we all practice and preach and we should practice what we say. opening doors to the victims of war, accepting people of all faiths and respecting their right to practice their religion if they choose or not to choose any religion. resist the urge to let our fears overcome what we value the most our openness, our freedom and our freedom to practice our

faith. faith shines in light and dark moments. it's what you have preached and my favorite hymn in my church is on eagles wings. it's my wish for all of you. you may remember the refrain. it says it will raise you up on eagles wings and bear bury you on the breath of don making you shine like the sun and holds you in the palm of his hand. that is my wish for all of you because we desperately need you at this time to reinforce a sense of confidence and faith in the american people to appeal as lincoln said to their better angels. and i'm grateful to have stood by someone these last seven years who understands this and

understands it to its core. it's stamped in his dna. too he two he is. i have served with eight presidents and never have been with anyone who had more character than this man and has faith so ladies and gentlemen let me introduce you to my friend and yours, the president of the united states, barack obama. [applause] >> thank you. thank you so much. thank you. please everybody have a seat. good morning everybody. welcome to the white house. it is so good to be with you again. we have to change up the format a little bit because i think i've got 30 world leaders for dinner tomorrow. [laughter] in an effort to constrain the threat of nuclear materials

getting in the wrong hands, so it's a good cause. [laughter] but you know when you have folks over, i am not sure all of you have had the same experience. you've got to cleanup. [laughter] do a little vacuuming. make sure you know, well for those of you who have kids make sure that they didn't do something when you weren't looking that the guests will discover. some vegetables they didn't want to eats -- eat. so we are not at our usual roundtable of fellowship but the spirit is still here and i know i speak for all of you and feeling lucky that we have such an extraordinary vice president

and joe by. [applause] whose faith has been tested time and time again and has been able to find god in places that sometimes for a lot of us it's hard to see, so i'm blessed to have him as a friend as well as a colleague. it's a little bittersweet my final easter prayer breakfast as president, so i want to begin by thanking all of you for all your prayers over the years. i know they have kept us going. it has meant so much to me and it's meant so much to my family. i want to thank you most of all for the incredible ministry that you are doing around the country because we have had a chance to work together and partner with you and we have seen the good

works, the deeds and not just works that so many of you have carried out and since 2010 this has been a cherished tradition. i know all of you have had a very busy holy week and the week leading up to holy week and the week before that. i had a wonderful easter morning at the albert street baptist church and i want to thank pastor wesley for his leadership pastor, outstanding sermon. [applause] he was telling a few stories of his youth, talking about going to the club. [laughter] i'm just saying, and since he's also from chicago i knew the club he was talking about. [laughter]

but it all led to a celebration of the resurrection. [laughter] it started with a club. it started with the club but it ended up with the resurrection. [laughter] and he's outstanding and handsome young sons at her with him so we want to thank him for an outstanding service. here at the white house we have not had to work as hard as all of you but we did have two deal with the easter egg roll. imagine thousands and thousands of children hopped up on sugar. [laughter] running around your backyard, surrounded by mad muppets in shaquille o'neil. [laughter] for 12 hours.

that was my easter weekend. so we set aside this morning to come together in prayer and reflection and quiet. [laughter] now, as joe said in light of recent events this gathering takes on more meaning. around the world we have seen horrific acts of terrorism most recently brussels as well as what happened in pakistan. innocent families mostly women and children, christians and muslims so our prayers are with the victims, their families and the survivors of these cowardly attacks. and as joe mentioned these attacks can foam and fear and division. they can tempt us to cast out the stranger, strike out against

those who don't look like us or pray exactly as we do and they can lead us to turn our backs on those who are in most need of help, refugees. that's the intent of the terrorists is to weaken our faith, to weaken our best impulses, our better angels and pastor preached on this weekend and i know all of you did too as i suspect in your own quiet ways we are reminded if easter means anything it's that you don't have to be afraid. we drown out darkness with light and we heal hatred with love.

we hold onto hope and we think about all that jesus suffered and sacrificed on our behalf scored, abandoned, shunned nail scarred hands bearing the injustice and carrying the sins of the world and it's difficult to fathom the full meaning of that act. scripture tells us god so loved the world he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. because of god's love we can proclaim christ has risen. because of god's love we can give this gift of salvation. because of him, our hope is not misplaced and we don't have to be afraid.

as christians is said to the years we are easter people. hallelujah is our song. we are easter people full of hope and not fear. now this is not a static hope, it's a living and breathing hope it's not a gift we simply received but one we must give to others, a gift to carry forward. i was struck last week by the image of pope francis washing feet of refugees, different faiths, different countries and what a powerful reminder of our obligations. if in fact we are not afraid and in fact we believe it's something we have two give.

his holiness said this easter sunday god enables us to see with his eyes and love and compassion for those who hunger and thirst, strangers and prisoners, the marginalized, the outcast, the victims of oppression and violence. it's through justice, through kindness, that's what all of you collectively are involved in your own way each and every day. feeding the hungry, healing the sick and teaching our children housing the homeless welcoming refugees and in that way you were teaching all of us would need when it comes to truth. it's not just words, it's not just getting dressed and looking good on sunday but its service particularly for the least of these and whether fighting the scourge of poverty or joining

with us to work on criminal justice reform are giving people a second chance at life, you have been on the frontlines of delivering god's message of love and compassion before his children. i have to say over the last days i couldn't have been prouder to work with you. we have told partnerships that have transited partisan affiliation, transcended individual congregations and even faith to form a community bound by our shared ideals and rooted in our common humanity. that community i believe will endure beyond the end of my presidency because it's a living thing that all of you are involved with all around this country and all around the world our faith changes us. i know it has changed me. it renews our possibilities.

it allows us to believe that although we are all sinners and that at times we are faulted there is always the possibility of redemption. every once in a while we might get something right. we might do some good. there is the presence of grace and that we in some small way can be worthy of this magnificent love that god has bestowed on us. you remind me all of that each and every day and you have just been incredible friends and partners and i could not be prouder to know all of you. i think you for sharing in this fellowship and i pray that our time together will strengthen our souls, renew our spirit and we will continue to build a

nation and a world that is worthy of his many blessings and i want to remind you all that after a good chunk of sleep when i get out of here i'm going to be right up there with you doing some work. [laughter] so you are not rid of me yet even after we are done with the presidency but i am going to take three or four months and i hope you all don't mind. with that i would like to invite reverend dr. derrick harkins for our opening prayer. [applause] >> thank you reverend dr. president. [laughter] show we pray?

oh what manner of love has been given to us that we would be called the children of god. god of grace, and god of glory oh how we thank you for the privilege of being gathered together this morning. faith leaders from across this nation humbly coming before you in prayer. in this house, the center of so much that is powerful we remember that yours is the power of mercy and compassion. yours is the power of loving justice and reconciliation. indeed our world is burdened by violence, pain and sorrow both in far-flung places and nearby city streets. but by your strength oh god, by the promise made real that life

is able to overcome death, that they have gloom of friday gives way to the joy of sunday that we'd be strengthened to work to break the yoke of oppression to satisfy the needs of the a foot did. a tune our ears that we might hear those that have been ignored, those pushed into the shadows and margins of life. embolden our voices so that our chorus of hope is more resonant than the rising harsh strains of discord and intolerance great strength in our hands that we would be repairers of the breach and steady our feet for the yet unfolding journey. give us grace oh god to dare to do the deed which we well know christ to be done. continue to hold our president barack obama and vice president joe biden and their families in

your sustaining, loving and protected embrace. we ask it all in the name of jesus christ, the one in whom we live and move and the one who has broken every barrier, every wall down and let the people of god say, amen. >> ladies and gentlemen -- [applause] ♪

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♪ ♪ ♪ >> father this morning this is our prayer that you will let that just follow our star. ♪ follow me. ♪ if that's your prayer this morning, god we sing. ♪

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anastacia marx de saledo on her book said to looking at how much of our food was developed before military applications. [inaudible conversations]