screeria -- nigeria. - maryland discusses

u.s. hostage policy and earnest moniz testifies before the senate energy committee. japanese prime minister shinzo abe has been in washington, d.c., this week for a meeting with president obama and a state dinner at the white house. today the prime minister addressed a joint meeting of congress. this is 50 minutes. >> mr. speaker the prime minister of japan! [ applause ]

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[ applause ] members of congress, i have the high privilege and the distinct honor of presenting to you his excellence see, prime minister shinzo abe, prime minister of japan. [ applause ]

>> mr. speaker, mr. vice president, distinguished members of the senate and the house, distinct guests ladies and gentlemen, back in june 1957, my grandfather standing right here as prime minister of japan began his address. by saying, and i quote, "it is because of our strong believe in democratic principles and ideals

that japan associates herself with a free nations of the world! [ applause ] >> 50 years has passed. today, i am honored to stand here as the first japanese prime minister ever to address the joint session. i extend my gratitude to you for inviting me. i have lots of things to tell you, but i am here with no

ability nor the intention to filibuster. [ applause ] as i stand in front of you today, the names of your distinguished colleagues that japan welcome as your ambassador come back to me the honorable mike walter mondale. [ applause ] tom foley and howard baker. [ applause ] on behalf of japanese people thank you so very very much for

sending us such shining champions of democracy! [ applause ] ambassador also embodies american democracy. thank you. thank you for ambassador kennedy for what you have done, for all of us! [ applause ] kenn >> we all miss senator daniel

inoye who symbolized the honor and achievement of japanese-americans. [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, my first encounter with america goes back to my days as a student when i spent a spell in california. [ applause ] a lady named kathleen let me live in her house. she was a widow and always spoke of her late husband saying, you know he was much more handsome

than gary cooper. she meant it. she really did. in the gallery, you see my wife akie abe. [ applause ] i don't dare what she says about me. her italian cooking was simply out of this world. she was cheerful and so kind to let a lot and lot of people stop by at her house.

they were so diverse. i was amazed. i said do myself, america is an awesome country. later, i took a job as a steel maker and i was given the chance to work in new york. here in the u.s., hierarchy neither here nor there. people advance base on merit. when you discuss things, you don't pay much attention to who is junior or senior. you just choose the best idea no matter who the idea was from. this culture it has talked to me. so much so after i got elected

as a member of the house, some of the old guard in my party would say, hey you are so cheeky, abe. and so my family name, it is not abe. some americans do call me that every now and then, but i don't take offense. that's because ladies and gentlemen, the japanese, ever since they started, have seen the very foundation for democracy in that famous line in the gettysburg address. the son of a former carpenter can become the president.

the fact that such a country existed, woke up the japanese of the late 19th century to democracy. for japan, our encounter with america was also our encounter with democracy. [ applause ] and that was more than 150 years ago giving us a mature history together. before coming over here, i was at the world war ii memorial. it was a place of peace and

calm. the air was filled with the sound of order. breaking in the fountains in one corner stands the freedom wall. more than 4,000 gold stars shine on the wall. i was surprised to hear that each star represents the lives of 100 fallen soldiers. i believe those gold stars are a proud symbol of the sacrifices

in defending freedom. [ applause ] but in those gold stars, we also find the pain, sorrow and love for family of young americans who otherwise who have lived happy lives. pearl harbor baton corendal

engraved at the memorial crossed my mind and i reflected upon the lost dreams and lost futures of thousand young americans history is harsh. what is done cannot be undone. with deep repen tans in my heart, i stood there in prayer for some time. my dear friends, on behalf of japan and the japanese people, i offer with profound respect my

eternal condolences to the souls of all american people that were lost during world war ii. [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, in the gallery today is lieutenant general lawrence snowden. [ applause ]

70 years ago in february he landed on the island of iwo jima as a captain in command of a company. in recent years general snowden has often participated in the memorial services held jointly by japan and u.s. he said and i quote, we didn't and don't go to iwo jima to celebrate victory but to pay

tribute to and honor those who lost their lives on both sides. next to general snowden sits yostaka shindo who is a former member of my cabinet. his grandfather who valor we remember even today and the commander of the japanese during the battle of iwo jima. what should we call this if not history enemies that have put each other so fiercely have become friends bonded in

spirit. [ applause ] to general snowden, i pay tribute to your effort for reconciliation. thank you so very much. [ applause ] post war we started out on our path bearing in mind feelings of deep remorse over the war.

our actions brought suffering to people in asian countries. we must not avert our eyes from that. i will uphold the views expressed by the previous prime ministers in this regard. we must -- [ applause ] we must all contribute in every respect to the development of asia. we must spare no effort in

working for the peace and prosperity of the region. reminding ourselves of all that we have come all this way. i am proud of this path we have taken. 70 years ago, japan had been reduced to ashes, then came each and every month from the citizens of the united states gifts to japan, like milk for our children and warm sweaters and even goods. yes, from america.

2,036 came to japan. and japan received the biggest benefit from the very beginning economic system. the u.s. has fostered by opening up its own market and calling for a little world economy. later on, from the 1908s, we saw the rise of the republic of korea, of thailand asian countries and, before long, china as well. this time, japan too. technologies to support their growth. meanwhile, in the u.s., japan

created more employment than any other foreign nation but coming to the uk in this way prosperity fostered first by the u.s. and second by japan. and prosperity is nothing less than the for peace involving countries in asia pacific whose background vary. the u.s. and japan must take the lead. we must take the lead to build a market dean nam mc, sustainable and also free from the arbitrary

nations of any -- from the arbitration intentions of any nation. [ applause ] in the pacific market we cannot overlook sweat shops or violence in the environment, nor can we simply allow free riders on intellectual property. [ applause ] no. instead, we can share our shared values around the world and have them take root. the rule of law, democracy and

freedom. that is exactly what the tpp is all about. [ applause ] furthermore, the ttp goes far beyond just economic benefits. it is also about our security. its specific value is awesome. we should never forget that the ttp covers an area that accounts for 40% of our economy and one-third of global trade.

we must turn the area into a region for lasting peace and prosperity. that is for the sake of our children and our children's children. as for u.s./japan negotiations, the goal is near. let us bring the ttp to successful conclusion through our joint leadership. [ applause ] as a matter of fact, i have something i can tell you now. it was about 20 years ago the

for agriculture was going long and i was much younger and opposed to opening japan's agricultural market. i even joined representatives in the rally in front of the parliament. however, japan's agriculture has gone into decline over these last 20 years. the average age of our farmers have grown up by ten years. now -- and is now more than 66 years old.

japan's agriculture is at the crossroads in order for it to survive, it has to change now. we are bringing great reforms towards agriculture policy. that's been in place for decades. we are also bringing sweeping reform to our agricultural properties. that have not changed in 60 long years. it is now fully in line with global standards because we made

it stronger rock solid relations are being broken in such sectors as medicine and energy and i'm determined to do whatever it takes. we are changing some of our old habits to empower women so they can get -- [ applause ] thank you.

to empower women so they can get more actively engaged in all walks of life. in short, japan is right in the middle of a quantum leap. my dear members of the congress please do and come and see the new japan where we have regained our spirit of reform and our sense of speed. [ applause ] japan will not run away from any reforms. we keep our eyes only on the road ahead and push forward with

structural reform. there is no doubt about it. whatsoever. my dear colleagues, the peace and security of the post world war was not possible without american leadership. looking back, it makes me happy all the time that japan of the years past made the right decision, as i told you at the outset citing my grandfather

that decision was to choose a path for japan to align itself with the u.s. and to go forward as a member of the western world and together with the u.s. and other like-minded democracies, we want the [ inaudible ]. [ applause ] that path makes japan grow and prosper and even today there is no alternative. my dear colleagues, we support

the advancing by the u.s. in order to enhance the peace and security of the asia pacific region and i will state clearly we will support the u.s. effort first, last and throughout. [ applause ] japan has deepened its strategic relations with australia and india. we are enhancing our cooperation across many fields with the

countries of [ inaudible ] and the republic of korea. adding those partners to the central [ inaudible ] of the u.s./japan alliance. now japan will provide up to $2.8 billion to help improve u.s. in guam whichbases in guam which will gain strategic significance in that regard. let me underscore here my three

principles. first, states shall make their claims based on international law. second they shall not use force or coercion to drive the claims. and third, to settle disputes any disputes, they shall do so by peaceful means. [ applause ] we must make the vast seas searching from the pacific to the indian oceans seize a peace

and freedom. we all follow the rule of law. [ applause ] for that very reason, we must fortify the u.s./japan alliance. that is our [ inaudible ]. now, let me tell you in japan we are working hard to enhance the legislative foundations of our security. once in place japan will be much more able to provide a response for all levels of

crisis. these enhanced legislative foundations should make the cooperation between the u.s. and japan defense forces ever stronger and the alliance still more solid providing credible deterrence for the peace in the region that is the first of it is kind and a sweeping one in our possible history. we will achieve this but this coming summer. [ applause ] now, i have something to share

with you the day before yesterday secretaries kerry and carter met our foreign minister and defense minister for consultations. as a result we now have a new framework, a framework to better put together the forces of the u.s. and japan, a framework that is in line with a sledgelegislative attempt going on in japan necessary to build peace in the region and that is the new defense cooperation guidelines. [ applause ]

yesterday, president obama and i fully agreed on this significance of these guidelines. ladies and gentlemen, we agreed on a document that is historic. [ applause ] in the 1990s, japan self-defense forces swept away [ inaudible ] for ten years in the indian ocean japanese defense forces supported your operation to stop the flow of terrorists and

meanwhile, in cambodia, iraq, haiti and south sudan, members of ourself-defense forces provided provided humanitarian support and peacekeeping operations. the number amounts to 50,000 based on this track record we are resolved to take yet more responsibility for the peace and stability in the world. it is for that purpose we are determined to enact all necessary bills by this coming

summer and we will do exactly that. we must make sure human security will be resolved in addition to national security. we must do our best so that every individual gets education, medical support and an opportunity to rise to be self-reliant. [ applause ] [ inaudible ] have always made

women suffer the most. in our age, we must realize the kind of world where finally women are free from human rights abuses. [ applause ] our men and women have made substantial accomplishments. so have our aid workers who have worked so steadily. the combined has given us a new

self-identity. that's why we now hold up high a new banner that is proactive contribution to peace based on the principle of international cooperation. let me repeat. proactive contribution to peace based on the present of international cooperation. should leave japan along its road for the future. [ applause ] problems we face include terrorism, infectious diseases natural disasters and climate

change. [ applause ] the time has come for the u.s./japan alliance to face up to and jointly tackle those challenges that are new. after all, our alliance has lasted more than a quarter of an entire history of the united states. it is an alliance that is bound and based on friendship deep between us. no new conflict should ever be

necessary for the alliance that connects us the biggest and the second biggest democratic powers in the free world in working together. [ applause ] always it is an alliance that cherishes our shared values of the role of love and respect for human rights and freedom. when i was young, in high school and listening to the radio,

there was a song that touched my heart. it was a song by carol king. [ applause ] when you are down and troubled close your eyes and think of me and i'll be there to brighten up even your darkest night. and that day, march 11, 2011, a big quake and tsunami and nuclear accident hit the northeastern part of japan.

the darkest night fell upon japan. but the forces rushing to japan to the rescue like you've never seen or heard before, lots and lots of people from all corners of the u.s. extended the hand of assistance to the children in the disaster areas. yes, we got a friend in you. [ applause ]

together with the victims, you shed tears. you gave us something, something very, very precious. it was hope. hope for the future. ladies and gentlemen the finest asset that u.s. has to give to the world was hope. is hope. it is and must always be hope. [ applause ]

distinct representatives of the citizens of the united states, let us call the u.s./japan alliance an alliance of hope. let the two of us america and japan, join our hands together and do our best to make the worldbetter a much better place to live. alliance of hope. together we can make difference. thank you so much. [ applause ]

thank you so much. thank you. [ applause ] [ applause ]

on the next washington journal, represent ron kind of

wisconsin, chair of the democrat coalition and ways and means committee member will discuss his concerns with the trade authority bill. then congressman john mica is here to talk about the landing on capitol hill and efforts to secure d.c. air space. later, a look at a poll. our guest, a polling director at harvard institute of politics. washington journal live at 7:00 eastern on cspan. join the conversation with your calls and comments on facebook and twitter. a government report alleges that homeland security official while serving as head of u.s. citizenship and immigration services gave special access to the visa program known as eb 5. thursday, he testifies before the house homeland security

committee to answer questions about political favoritism. see it live starting 10:00 a.m. eastern on cspan 3. sunday night on cspan's q and a, "the washington post" national security reporter walter pinkas on the situation in the middle east and his opinion of the invasion of iraq. >> i think one of the things about the bush administration and paul wolfowitz who never claimed to be an expert on the middle east or on iraq and proved it and history has proved it is that we look at things from our own point of view and get deceived by it. and you can go back to vietnam was a great example of the first time we sort of did it openly but we have a history of trying to think other people are like

us or want our standards and the world is different. and particularly in the middle east it is a totally different culture. >> sunday night at 8:00 eastern and pacific on cspan's q and a. today at the white house president obama hosted an event featuring the 2015 national teacher of the year and the finalists. this year's top teacher is shanna peeples of amarillo texas. the ceremony from the white house rose garden is 15 minutes. [ applause ] >> welcome to the white house everybody, please have a seat. this is one of my favorite days

because it gives us a chance to acknowledge some folks who so often are giving so much and let's face it aren't always getting a lot in return. every day the teachers behind me give their students their all their knowledge, their creativity, their focused attention, their love. they empty the tanks for their kids. then they get up the next morning and they do it all over again. and today is our chance to say thank you, to let these educators know we see how hard they work. we know the difference they make in their students' lives and they are at the same time making an incredible difference in the life of our country. today is a chance to reaffirm how important teachers are to

our nation, not just these teachers but all teachers. we are joined by somebody who is as passionate about our teachers and students as anybody i know and that is our outstanding secretary of education arnie duncan. [ applause ] i want to thank all the school leaders who are here today because it takes leadership at every level from principal all the way up to superintendent to give our students the best chance to succeed. because of teachers like these our classrooms are full. future doctors learning how muscle groups and organs work, future poets discovering langston hughes and emily dickinson. future scientists tinkering with microscopes and circuit boards. future entrepreneurs getting a hand on problem solving.

future leaders learning what it means to be a citizen and how the ideals of freedom and justice made our country what we are today. so america's future is written in our classrooms. we all depend on our teachers, whether we have kids in the schools or not. they deserve our support and our appreciation. and they also probably deserve higher salaries. [ applause ] thought i would editorialize a little bit. ad lib. that's what today is all about. here with us are 55 of america's top teachers from as far away as alaska and american samoa and as close as maryland and washington, d.c. they teach everything from math and science to art and journalism. some have taught for decades. others are still pretty new.

a few of them look like they're still in middle school. but all of them share a passion for helping their kids develop their talents. all of them know the thrill of introducing students to something new and exciting. all of them are really good at their jobs. i wish i could talk about each and every one of them because all of you are remarkable. but in the interest of time i'll just say a few words about one teacher in particular who happens to be the 2015 national teacher of the year from amarillo texas. shanna peeples. [ applause ] so shanna, i'm going to brag on you a little bit. you just stand there and relax a second. so shanna teaches english at

high school in amarillo. many of her students face challenges that would overwhelm adults, let alone kids. about 85% are considered economically disadvantaged, many of refugees from places like iraq and somalia. many of them have known trauma and violence in their lives and borne burdens that no kid should have to bear. sometimes just showing up to school is hard. but shanna's classroom provides them a safe haven and in shanna they find someone that protects them fiercely and believes in them deeply, and sets high expectations and is confident they're going to do amazing things. now, according to shanna, she wasn't always a teacher. in fact she tried everything else she could before she finally accepted her destiny. she was a deejay.

i want to hear more about that. she was a medical assistant. she was a journalist. a professional pet sitter. finally she realized what she was always meant to do and that's helping young people discover the joy and power of words. as somebody who grew up in a violent home books were a never ending source of inspiration a way to provide meaning to life at difficult times. one special teacher she says, mrs. belton helped shanna develop her passion. she says she taught me it was possible to read and write my way into another life. that's a pretty good description of education in general. today miss peeples passiones that

onto her students. they pour their stories onto the page and she tells them everyone has a voice, everyone has a story worth sharing. they discover their experiences aren't so singular, that whether they're an eat openian refugee or never set foot out of texas they're not so different and not so alone as a consequence. shanna works hard to earn and keep their trust and help them find new ways to grow ak academically academically, to reach for their future. in a sense i sell hope she says. i love that line. in a sense i sell hope. and her students are hungry for hope. most kids are hungry for hope. since shanna arrived there five years ago, the number of kids taking ap english exam doubled. this year 30 students are taking ap english 4 exam.

before shanna arrived the number was exactly zero. her impact reaches beyond the classroom. english as a second language, students write bilingual books for kids and record lessons refugee families can access online. her ap students hit the streets of amarillo on public health campaigns, research science on gratitude, too. as a school instructional coach and literacy trainer for the district, shanna helps other teachers learn how to better teach reading or writing. for some of her colleagues they say she's a godsend. one principal said he was sinking until shanna came to his rescue. often uses the tale of hansel and gretel to finish the school year, a story of how we can be our own heroes, find our way out of the forest. shanna's students have gone on

to be ivy league, won prestige is scholarships but more importantly, many found their way out of the forest into new and better chapters of their lives. they figured out a way to carve a path for themselves in large part because of her. now, obviously shanna is exceptional, but we could have told a similar story about every single one of the teachers standing here behind me. [ applause ] they are not just teaching formulas or fon ethics. they're selling hope. sparking imagination. opening up minds. giving people, young people a sense of their own power. they teach students to challenge themselves, dream beyond their

circumstances, imagine different futures. then they work as hard as they can to help them make their dreams real. end of the school year, their children aren't just smarter they're stronger more confident, more resilient, more inspired. maybe if they trip, they have been able to get up dust themselves off, that will make them that much better in the future because they'll probably trip a little more. those qualities are hard to measure but they're invaluable. america is hungry for more teachers like these, which is why we've got to acknowledge them, because every school has teachers like these and we don't give them enough credit. we don't talk about it enough. want to thank all of the teachers here for outstanding contributions to the life of our nation.

we couldn't be prouder of you. i like the fact that we have a strong contingent of men here today, too. i like that. way to go, guys. and with that, i want to present shanna with her crystal apple. here you go. let's get a picture of that. >> thank you. >> fantastic. with that, let me present the teacher of the year. shanna peeples. >> thank you, mr. president. your support and belief in public education is one of the many things i admire about you. you're charged