outgoing israeli president was issued the congressional medal today in washington. that's next on c-span. then, a conversation with republican senator rob johnson. a house panel looks at federal statutes, and the overuse and misuse of the criminal law. and later, house intelligence chair, mike rogers, talks to reporters. we believe that all men are created equal.

yet many are denied equal treatment. we believe that all men have certain unalienable rights. yet many americans do not enjoy those rights. we believe that all men are entitled to the blessings of liberty. yet millions are being deprived of those blessings. not because of their own failures, but because of the color of their skin. the reasons are deeply embedded in history and tradition, and the nature of man. we can understand without rancor or hatred how this all happened. but it cannot continue. our constitution, the foundation of our republic, forbids it.

the principles of our freedom forbid it. morality forbids it. and the law i will sign tonight forbids it. >> this weekend, the 50th anniversary of the 1964 civil rights act with president johnson's address to the nation, and the signing ceremony, and later, hear from reporters who covered the debate in congress, roger mudd of cbs and the harold tribune's sandy glass on american history tv on c-span3. outgoing israeli president shimmon per res received the congressional gold medal in the rotunda. he will leave office next month. during this hour 15-minute ceremony with congressional leaders, mr. peres spoke about the support of israel.

ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our honored guest, the president of israel, members of the united states house of representatives, members of the united states senate, the speaker of the united states house of representatives, and the vice president of the united states. [ applause ] >> ladies and gentlemen, the speaker of the united states house of representatives, the honorable john boehner. >> mr. vice president, members of congress, ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, ladies and gentlemen, welcome this morning, and welcome to the united states capitol. since the days of the american

revolution, every congress has had one humbling privilege. that of awarding a gold medal for extraordinary contributions. the highest honor that we can bestow. the first recipient in 1776 was george washington. the father of our country. today under his gaze, we will present the gold medal to another founding father, the 9th president of the state of israel, shimon peres. mr. president, welcome. [ applause ] like general washington, shimon peres has served his life serving his country, even before there was a country to serve. he is the great brougprototype israeli statesman.

a record 48 years in the legislature, a minister in 12 cabinets, a two-time prime minister, an author of at least 11 books, and a nobel lariat. these distinctions, of course, are only symbols of his service. they do not compare to the place president peres holds in the hearts of freedom-loving people all over the world. this is what this medal of honor means above all else. a way of a great program in store. mr. president, i know for your 90th birthday, you had barbra streisand serenade you, and you had tony blair toast you. i hope you don't mind, but in the interest of time we're asking the vice president today to do both. [ laughter ] this is a special moment for all of us. it's the first time we're

presenting a gold medal to an israeli head of state. mr. president, because of your generation, i have faith it will not be the last. this medal says to our young people, and yours, i never get cynical, never give in po expediency, and know that america will always stand with israel, and with all men and women of peace. thank you all for being here this morning. [ applause ] >> ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the presentation of the colors by the united states armed forces color guard, the singing of the united states and israeli national anthems and the retiring of the colors.

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♪ ♪ o say, can you see by the dawn's early light ♪ ♪ what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? ♪ ♪ whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight ♪ ♪ o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? ♪ ♪ and the rockets' red glare the bombs bursting in air ♪ ♪ gave proof

through the night that our flag was still there ♪ ♪ oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave ♪ ♪ o'er the land of the free ♪ ♪ and the home of the brave? ♪

>> ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing as the chaplain of the united states house of representatives, the reverend patrick conroy, gives the invocation. >> let us pray. god of abraham, we give you thanks for the gift of life and for the many blessings that life brings. today we gathered in this hallowed temple to representative government dedicated to the enjoyment of life and its blessings for its citizens. to honor shimon peres, the 9th president of israel.

we are honored by his presence, and his long life of service to his own nation, and as a friend and ally to ours. honored 20 years ago as a nobel laureate, shimon peres has been a man of peace in a region known for its lack thereof. and in our own time now, may perennial enemies around the world be inspired by his recent meeting with mahmoud abbas and pope francis, praying for peace in our world. lord, grant that his efforts might issue into a future proclaimed by the prophets isaiah, mica and joel. when the time of judgment comes, may all our swords be beaten

into plow shares, our spears into pruning hooks, may no nation continue to lift up sword against another, and may we no longer learn war. bless our world with peace. bless israel, and god bless the united states of america. amen. >> please be seated. ladies and gentlemen, the united states representative from the fourth district of massachusetts, the honorable joseph kennedy iii. >> good morning, everyone. mr. vice president, members of the congressional leadership, it is an honor for me to join you this morning on stage. thank you all for the work that

you did to make this moment and this congressional gold medal possible. i'd also like to thank the congressional gold medal committee, congressman trent franks, co-sponsor in the house, for their partnership in shepherding the bipartisan legislation behind this award through the house and the senate. and to our guest of honor, president peres. at 91 years young, you have famously said that you aren't ready yet to consider your legacy. that the future is much more interesting than your past. with all due respect, mr. president, i think it would be hard to find a person in this room that does not see the future of israel through the lens of your legacy. last year i had the honor of meeting president peres on a trip to israel with some of my colleagues. it was an incredible visit, from

jerusalem to ramallah, the road to the galilee, tel aviv, to masssad. of all the memorable moments, though, there's one that shines through. at a dinner in tel aviv, i met a young israeli woman who founded an organization that was bringing aid to parts of syria that other international assistants had been unable to reach. she had helped one community in particular for years. without disclosing much of who she was, or where she came from. one day she finally let the syrian commander know that she was an israeli. he was stunned. right then and there, refused her help. calling her a sworn enemy, despite the lives that she had saved, and the selfless assistance she had given his people.

luckily she was not one to be easily deterred. she took it to the community for a vote. if they said go, she would pack up. if they said stay, she would continue to serve. they begged her to stay. so she did. mr. president, this is your legacy. every bit as integral to israel's future as her past. generations of israeli men and women who continue to put themselves on the front lines of peace, no matter the risks or the road blocks. who refuse to let labels like enemy or adversary influence the direction of their moral compass. who believe that peace is possible, and no small part because they have a leader by their side for over 70 years counseling patience, optimism, and faith.

mr. president, with a debt of gratitude, not only for the history that you carved, but for the future that you will undoubtedly shape, it is our honor to come together today to recognize you with the congressional gold medal. in a world still, as you say, aching for peace, for compassion in the face of great conflict, and humanity, in the face of great suffering, may your legacy light our way. thank you. [ applause ] >> ladies and gentlemen, the united states senator from new hampshire, the honorable kelly ayotte. [ applause ]

>> good morning. i'm so humbled to be here in the presence of president shimon peres, vice president biden, speaker boehner, majority leader reid, our congressional leaders, so many distinguished leaders and citizens in this room. to congressman kennedy, congressman franks, thank you so much for your leadership in the house of representatives, to ensure that we will award president shimon peres the congressional gold medal. your efforts helped make today's ceremony possible. to senator bennett, i want to express my gratitude to you for working alongside with me in the united states senate to introduce the bill to award president peres the congressional gold medal. and i know today's ceremony is particularly moving for you and

your family. we are so honored to have your mother here with us today. susan clejman bennett is here with us today. she was born in poland in 1938 as nazi forces gathered at the border. she and her parents endured the nazi occupation in around warsaw, along with an aunt they were the only members of the family to survive. and unfortunately, everyone else perished at the hands of the nazis. so i know how much this means to you, senator bennett. thank you. i cannot think of a more deserving individual to receive the congressional gold medal than president shimon peres. i want to thank the people who came to me and senator bennett and others, all who have worked on this, because this has been one of the highlights of the work that i've have been able to

do in the senate. by the way, if everything were as easy to do in the senate to get co-sponsors for as this, can you imagine what we could get done for the country. [ applause ] as one of the founding fathers of israel, for 67 years, president shimon peres has been a selfless servant of his beloved country during times of war and peace. providing a steady hand, he has been a constant and passionate voice for peace. but most of all, not only is he a great statesman, and leader, he is a man who has a pure heart, and the depth of his love for all of humanity has made him

a drum major for justice, not just in israel, but throughout the world. as for america, we have never had a better friend who understands who we are and what we stand for as president peres said last night, at the israeli embassy, we are an exceptional nation whose people give rather than take. today, mr. president, it is our way of saying to you, thank you, and to recognize that you truly are an exceptional man who has made israel and the world a better place. thank you, mr. president. [ applause ]

>> ladies and gentlemen, the united states army chorus. ♪ [ singing in hebrew ] ♪

[ singing in hebrew ] ♪ ♪

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♪ [ applause ] >> ladies and gentlemen, the democratic leader of the united states house of representatives, the honorable nancy pelosi. [ applause ] >> good morning. mr. vice president, president peres, mr. speaker, mr. leader, mr. leader, mr. leader, my colleagues in the congress, my friends in the senate, madam secretary. today congress is bestowing a

congressional gold medal on a truly historic figure. every one of us in this room will always be able to boast that we were there when congress honored this iconic figure and friend of america. shimon peres planted the seed of the jewish state of israel and helped that garden grow. whether literally in the blooming of the desert, or more significantly in the blossoming of a society and a people. a soldier who became a peacemaker, an immigrant who became an institution, a public servant who became a statesman, a champion of nonviolence, a messenger of hope, an idealist who understood pragmatism, a founder of a nation who became and remains a visionary for his and all people. shimon peres' story is a story

of modern israel. a story of die na mism. it was an idea born in the defiance of history, creating a new world by drawing the values of the past, and the innovations of the future. few alive could claim to have done so much for the success of that idea, and even at the age of 90 this farmer, fighter, author, prime minister, nobel prize winner, and president continues to guide his nation into tomorrow. just as an aside, i remember when at the white house, we celebrated his 90th birthday last year. he spent his speech talking about innovation, technologies of the future. shim shimonp

shimonperes' dream of a dawn when every man and woman across the middle east make wake up, as he says, free to be free. he would surely remind us with the words of theater her shell, if you will it, it is not a dream. may god bless you. his willingness to serve the state of israel and the path to peace. may his spirit and the spirit of the entire pioneering generation of israel's founders live on in our actions today, and in the future. my israel long be recognized as the greatest political achievement of the 20th century. and a beacon of hope, democracy and justice into the 21st century, and beyond. may this gold medal always serve as a stirring symbol of our deep respect for shimon peres, our

admiration for israel's people and unbreakable friendship between our country and the nation of israel. as our speaker said earlier, the first recipient of the congressional gold medal was our founding father, george washington. today we bestow it on another founding father. both of them in accepting the award bring luster to the award. thank you, president peres, for receiving this honor again, your accepting it brings honor to the congress, luster to award. shalom, and thank you. [ applause ] >> ladies and gentlemen, the majority leader of the united

states house of representatives, the honorable eric cantor. [ applause ] >> thank you. thank you. good morning. mr. vice president, mr. speaker, president peres, my colleagues and other distinguished guests, it is a true honor for me to be here today to pay tribute to one of the world's greatest statesmen. president peres, you are always a man who has stood for the advancement of humankind. you have been an inspiration to so many of us young and old, in your tireless advocacy for democracy, in your belief that it is that which is the best path to peace and security for all. few people, president peres, have dedicated their lives to

the security of the state of israel, and the continuity of the jewish people the way that you have. so many of us have been touched by president peres. i know in the many trips that i've made to israel, along with my colleague kevin mccarthy, just a little over a year ago, we were there. you welcomed us with open arms. delegation after delegation. so many of us found inspiration in your words. so many of us tried to learn how it was that you talk about the importance of the u.s./israel partnership, of what it means to be tied together by mutual bonds and beliefs. you have said, and continue to say, that what makes us in america so unique, is that we

are a country that gives. we don't take. and in fact, if you think about it, our country maintains its security for its citizens, because we give of treasure, and yes, we give of blood, to go in search of helping others, those who cannot help themselves. and that resounds through our benefit and our safety and security here at home. that is what makes america at its core a leader of the world. that is why it is so important that we maintain this strong partnership between our two countries. mr. president, you are worthy of one of the highest honors that america can confer in the congressional gold medal. you know, in the jewish

religion, we pray daily for the restoration of justice. we ask god for his guidance. his inspiration to our leaders, that they may conduct themselves toward that end of the restoration of days of old. and allow us to continue on our mission of repairing the world. president peres, you are one of those warriors. you are that leader. congratulations to you today. [ applause ] >> ladies and gentlemen, the republican leader of the united states senate, the honorable mitch mcconnell. [ applause ]

>> for thousands of years, the jewish people searched for a home. for almost 70 years, they've defended one. the world is marveled at the achievement of this once nomadic people. subjected so often throughout their history to the worst of human nature. a people who raised a nation out of the sands. with every odd stacked against them. it's an incredible tale. and since the birth of modern israel, one man has been there every step of the way. standing at the very center of this remarkable drama.

shimon peres, president of israel, the man we honor today. he was there in pre-war europe. he was there during the migration to israel. he was there for the war of independence. he's held virtually every major government post over the span of his nearly 70-year-long political career. he served under bengurian. he dined with de gaulle. he sparred with nasr. his tenure in the kinesit spans lebanon and camp david and the olympics in munich. he's both sang and stood at the

center of the center of so much. from israel's earliest years as a dream in the desert, to its transformation to the modern, flourishing, diverse democracy of today. he's been there. a figure of reconciliation, and of strength. with his arab neighbors, he has sought peace, and made extraordinary nobel-winning efforts to advance it. his historic speech to the german people in 2010 moved and inspired many of us. and we know that president peres put aside long-standing mistrust among domestic political adversaries in order to join hands with those interested in peace. the kind of peace that seemed impossible at the time, and that

remains sadly elusive. but he hasn't given up. and that's not surprising, given that this man who once said that for him, dreaming is simply being pragmatic. it's this remarkable approach to life and work that sustain shimon peres for decades in the political spotlight. in just a few weeks, president peres will leave the presidency behind. he'll close the book on one storied political career, and hand the reins to his successor. but what a story it has been. what a story it is. so today we honor shimon peres, president of the state of israel, for his numerous contributions to public life.

we thank him for being such a great friend of the united states over the years. for strengthening the unbreakable union between our two democracies. and we look forward to the next chapter in his extraordinary life. may it be as remarkable as those that preceded it. thank you. [ applause ] >> ladies and gentlemen, the majority leader of the united states senate, the honorable harry reid. [ applause ] >> today we're gathered to honor a man who's dedicated his entire life to making the world a better place. i see in the audience senator

dick durbin. he was with that group of senators that i led to the middle east. i told senator durbin and others at that time that they were going to have an opportunity to meet a man that i had deep respect and admiration for. in fact, no one has been more inspirational to me than the man we honor today. dick and i still talk about that meeting we had with shimon peres. and the visionary view he had of the world. but is it any wonder i think so highly of this man. seven decades of public service should be an inspiration to us all, and it is. we've heard his tenure of service, about 50 years in the kinesa, prime minister twice,

acting prime minister twice, minister of foreign affairs, on three separate occasions, minister of defense twice, minister of finance, minister of transportation, and eight other cabinet posts, and currently, of course, president of the state of israel. this is a man who never grows old. when he came into his first time as being prime minister, a lot of us, when the internet came, that was for someone else to deal with. but not this man. he wanted to know about the internet, and he proceeded to teach himself and have others teach him about the internet. he was the first prime minister to go onto the internet and have that position, the worthy position he holds as part of the internet.

he's been educated in the united states on occasion, new york university, harvard. he speaks hebrew, yiddish, russian, french. he's authored 11 books. we've heard he's been honored with the most prestigious awards that can be given to him worldwide. the nobel peace prize, presidential medal of freedom, french legion of honor, and today the congressional gold medal. so you can understand why i was so eager to take senator durbin and the other senators with me to meet this good man, this incredible man. my admiration for president peres stems more from just his important positions, and his many accomplishments. winston churchill said, quote, all the great things are simple and can be expressed in a single

word. well, i believe that. the greatness of shimon peres can be expressed in a single word, optimism. he said, this man seated behind me, optimists and pessimists die the same way. they just live differently. i prefer to live as an optimist. [ applause ] optimism has been his life. and it's that optimism that has inspired so many of us around the world. that optimism has guided shimon peres in everything he's done, from the challenges he and his family faced because of the holocaust, to his work for a lasting peace, and a secure israel. it's that optimism, his hope for the world, his belief for peace which i so admire.

president peres has said, and i quote, there are two approaches to leadership. one that is built on force, and the other that is built on goodwill. goodwill is winning. reliance on force is losing. what's the conclusion? that through goodwill you can achieve more. isn't that true. thank you. [ applause ] he has achieved so very, very much. not only for himself, not only for the state of israel, not only for the middle east, but for the world. through his optimism and his goodwill, shimon peres always placed peace within our grasp. so i congratulate this good man, a statesman, a leader for the world, for everything he's accomplished throughout his distinguished life. president peres, israel, the middle east, the world are all better because of your optimism and your decency.

it's an honor for me to participate in this ceremony today, as united states congress bestows upon you its highest honor, the congressional gold medal. we honor you today, the father of your country, at least one of the fathers of your country, and in so many different ways congratulate you for being the man that you are. this medal epitomizes all that you've meant to the congress, the people of the united states, and the world. mr. president, you have worked tirelessly to make the world a better place for all of god's children. [ applause ] >> ladies and gentlemen, the speaker of the united states house of representatives, the honorable john boehner. [ applause ]

>> it is now time for the presentation of the gold medal. and i would ask my colleagues on stage to join me for the presentation. [ applause ]

[ applause ] >> ladies and gentlemen, the vice president of the united states, the honorable joseph r. biden jr. >> mr. president -- thank you. [ applause ] mr. president, congratulations. and with your permission, i'll forgo the barbra streisand serenade. although i have to say that equally as much in the heart as her most melodic tunes. i heard a story, one israeli speaking to another recently. and the first one said, do you know shimon peres has only three

or four weeks left to go in his presidency. and the response was, yes, but they're peres weeks. those weeks have gone on for a long, long time, mr. president. you are absolutely relentless. as everyone has pointed out, you've been minister, prime minister, you've occupied every office there is to occupy. and israel, and i would argue around the world, i've been to so many other conferences in parts of the world with president peres, that you're a force of nature, mr. president. you're a force of nature. every once in a while people produce someone who is beyond their office. they're a force of nature. i've watched you in switzerland, in germany, in england. i've watched you in the middle east. i've watched you so many places

where i've been present where you've spoken. there's never, never, never a place i've been, and i've known you mr. president, since i was 30 years old, there's never been a place i've been when this man stands up, everybody listens. no matter what the atmosphere in the room before he approached the podium. you're a national treasure to israel, but i'd also respectfully suggest you've been a national treasure to the united states of america. you're a legendary friend. [ applause ] mr. president, i know you've heard all this a thousand times, and it's hard to say it with the emotion we all feel. but mr. president, i try to picture many times when i've been with you, you being at the feet of david bengornian.

his youngest protege, and you've served continuously since 1948. it's absolutely remarkable. i've watched how you've expressed your affection for anyone who's ever touched you or your family. i've watched how you give praise to greek monks who helped save your father. i've watched how you -- i'm told -- knowing you, you can probably sing greek songs, too. but i just -- it's just remarkable to me how your image and the way you live your life seems in private and public, although i don't know it in any detail in private, has deny totally consistent. you spend half your career, the first half, cementing the physical security of the state of israel.

as you said, as a small nation, but a great concept. and you almost single-handedly willed into existence a strong, proud israel defense establishment that we work with so closely today. and ever since then, mr. president, you've been every bit as indefig abl in your peace. it seems like the yin and yang of the peace of shimon peres. he's perez. he's always done what had to be done, he's always known what had to be done in his country at the time. almost every instance i'm aware of he has almost always been ahead of the curve what was needed for his people, israel

has a homeland for jewish people. a state, a two-state solution, where two people can live side by side, palestinians enjoying self-determination, mutual recognition and peace. you know, when you think about israel today, at least i do, i've been traveling to israel since 1972. and i was raised at a table by what -- shimon perez may not -- i got to meet him. you may cause him -- we had a conversation at 8. why was there a disagreement about establishing the state of israel? why was this the case?

why was there any problem. and in hindsight today, i think most of us look at our children, grown men and women and look back, it's like, this was all inevitable. there was inevitability -- you don't have to look back very far and realize this was anything but inevitable. as a matter of fact, it was the opposite of inevitable. literally all the odds were against israel. thankful thankfully israel was blessed with a founding generation, understanding what it took to overcome those odds. thankfully, mr. president, israel was blessed with you. my mother had an expression

which my siblings and i heard repeated god knows how many times. she would always say, you're defined by your courage and you're redeemed by your loyalty. you are defined by your courage and redeemed by your loyalty. you have been -- you are the definition of what my mother was talking about. you have had great courage and your loyalty has been unbended. not only to all of your people. but to our people as well. as my friends in the senate and house would excuse me for a point of personal privilege. as i said, i've known you for a long time. and there's a -- if you'll forgive me for quoting an irish prover, there's an old irish proverb that says a good friend is like a four leaf clover.

hard to find, but lucky to have. mr. president, you have been my friend. you have counciled me when i asked you for council. you have done for me what you've done for so many people here, you've literally given us the benefit of your wisdom. i'll conclude, mr. president by saying, i think the one distinguishing feature of you as a leader, and because i've hung around this place so long, i think i met the vast majority of the world leaders personally, over the last 40 years. i have never met a person -- i mean this sincerely, i never met a person with greater eloquence nor possessed more wisdom than

you. if there's anything this world needs badly now, is women and men with wisdom. so mr. president. thank you for what you've done with your country. thank you for what you've done for our country. and thank you for your friendship. mr. president, may god bless israel and bring all of our children home. may god bless america, and my god protect our troops. congratulations. i forgot my job, ladies and gentlemen, the president of the state of israel, shimon perez.

[ applause ] >> thank you so much. vice president joe biden, speaker boehner, senate majority leader harry reid. leaders and members of the house of representatives in the senate, i am humbled to stand here today in this great

congress of the united states. here you give expression to unbreakable spirit of the american people. it was first expressed 237 years ago when your forefathers signed a document that still echos for all time. for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness those words resonate with a much meaning today as they did with america's first patriots. they've inspired generations of

americans to dream of a better america, and they have inspired people all over the globe to dream for a better world. many people called me a dreamer, i suppose that's why i have always felt at home in the united states of america. america that was given the privilege to carry the dreams dramatically. my own dream was to be a shipper. it came true, you know? i work the ship.

i worked in order not to miss o one. the dreams of a young shepherd. i was called to serve at 24 years old. i had heavy responsibilities. he charged me with securing a young nation's ability to the fan itself. i worked hard, i had little time to study. i didn't know a single word of english. after our independence we suggested we would go to the united states to learn english, study the american dreams.

that's what you have to do. so i did. i learned that america is not a land for the idol. i learned that america is the home for the daring. american dream is about hard work, pioneering spirit. i learned the two great bodies that still under the icon marble dome, the senate and the house offer the struggle for life. an unbelievable, an unbreakable friendship. you helped israel out of her loneyness. you helped israel overcome small sized in tough surroundings. you helped us maintain a

democracy. to become strong enough to take risks. whether through military systems. security corporation or through diplomatic and moral support. you send us a clear message that we are not alone. on behalf of all the people of israel, i want to thank you. my friend and israel's friend, president barack obama for setting aside commitment to security. [ applause ]

>> i want to thank each and every one of you of the american congress for your unwavering, bipartisan and generous support to my people. [ applause ] >> thank you for helping us weather so many storms. and for giving us confidence to face the future. friends, ladies and gentlemen. the challenge with which we face -- together we must fight terrorism. advance peace. prevent the arm from acquire in peace. and like president obama we believe that iran should be

judged by actions, not by wors.s in the middle east built in the previous empire are now falling apart. at the same time, the rules governing the world are being -- security and prosperity are no longer, national issues. national economy is dependent on global economy. national security is increasingly independent of fighting global terrorism. in the middle east, it is easy to seep into despair. but i have seen too much in my life to lose hope.

i have seen israel defy the odds time and again. i have seen israel defeat superior enemies on the battlefield and send soldiers to rescue hostages thousands of miles away from home. israel can only defend itself against those who sought to destroy us. israel did and will do everything in our power to bring home our three kidnapped boys. [ applause ] >> i met with their parents, with their mothers, and they

asked me to speak here before you, on their behalf to ask you, to make your voice heard all around the world, to bring their boys, our boys home. to sound the call across the world against terrorism. let's raise our voice together against terrorism, wherever it is. [ applause ] >> dear friends, i have seen the genius of israel make our poor middle east land bloom and turn israel into a global center of technology. i learned that high-tech can quench the world's thirst for

water and heal the planet. to increase yields without increasing land. a rabbi, the nazis in 1942 -- i know even at the darkest hour it not prevent a new dawn and the next day and it will arrive my friends, today and together we must tackle monumental challenges we face, terrorism and poverty. terror knows no borders. it kills hundreds of thousands and it turns millions into

refugees. you see it in iran in iraq, in syria, in lebanon, yemen, libya, sudan, gaza and elsewhere, by sanctioning the suppliers, by preventing the plans. we know that terrorists are global, there they should be fought globally. we must fight not only the act of terror, but the roots of terrorism. not just by military means, but by denying the financial supply. by demilitarizing their actions, by removing a net that can catch

terrorists and remove innocent people. terrorists play a meaningful role in destroying terrorism and restoring hope. their aim is to hijack faith and perpetrate violence in the name. we need voices small like pope francis. we need rabbis, priests, to priest respect for god in heaven and life and health. [ applause ] >> ladies and gentlemen, it is our duty to offer the young

generation a vision more compelling, more promising for the future. in the population, fought five times in the last 50 years, it's economy did not. poverty sold. an era of science reraced the era of men we experience it almost daily. israel has little land, less water and no oil. we became a nation through high-tech and hard work. the turmoil of today can provide a new hope for tomorrow. and my dream today is that the middle east will become a

staubach region as israel became a staubach region. [ applause ] to make that happen leaders in the region must do their share to uphold their societies, because without free thinking, there is no new thinking, and without openness or discoveries, companies should play a role helping the region become to date and prepare it for tomorrow. the population mostly is under the age of 25. for some this is a cause of concern. for me it is the source of hope. for business, it's a great opportunity to invest both

economically and socially. global companies are aware that young people want a different future, they want free expression, but also self-expression. they want equal rights including the equal right to be different. our two countries, america and israel have a unique contribution to offer. we are not the same size, but share the same values and the same dreams. our dreams keep us young. our values keep us tall. we want to share our experience with our neighbors. in my decade in my country, i

saw how it became a thriving democracy. a living defense force, a cutting edge scientific community. it was done with you. and nobody else could be more helpful than you. together we can put the region on a more promising cause through initiative in the health, education and science. i hope to educate myself to this world in the years ahead. as for america. it remains indispensable. america is the greatest power in the world today. and only great