eventually for us to prioritize the entire pact. and given the financial constraints we have, we do have to be a little creative. but certainly we can reprioritize. i want to ask for a little bit of elaboration on one point. i think the g action o report was fantastic. it's nice to see the alphabet soup, as my constituents often refer to it, and see that there is both recommendation findings and then response by multiple agencies that have -- that have a tendency to create extra burden by requiring sort of uniform processes but not in a uniform way spop the engineer report template is a great tool. and i think at a time when the constituents are looking for an efficient effective government, this is a good example.

and i raise it because i wonder how many more times we could duplicate this throughout the system. one of the frustrations i've seen in the last two years here, not just with fda and usda, i just hope that we could, as a house, as a congress, and as public officials at every level, look for more of these types of opportunities where the public could go wild. that makes perfect sense. right new they look at it, i'm sure you all do and say, you mean i have to hire the engineering firm to do the same thing for another agency and pay them the same. i guess mainly what i want to say is thanks for that. i will want to be monitoring that very carefully to see how it works out. i know you will as well, mr. gomez, there in lies the nuggets to demonstrate the functionality of the government in the way that people expect.

we probably haven't done so well. >> we are tracking that bay the way. it's part of the tracking that we do every year because we want to make sure that the agencies are making process and that it's helping the communities that are in need. >> thank you for that. and again thanks to all of you. and i will leave some time on the clock and just thank you for being so patient to hang around with me this long. i yield. >> >> yeah yields back his time. looks like we're about gone. do you have anything else you want to say and take an opportunity in. >> thank you, mr. chair. i just want to commend the entire panel. i think what you shared with us is not only great insight but advocacy for what is a very high priority. and you've done it through that frontline experience. so it provides an extra bit of impact, i think, on the decisions that are made here. but thank you for reinforcing what we have understood to be a problem.

and this is a very high priority problem i would think for the country. thank you very much. i was impressed by the statements you've made and the responses you've provided. >> thank you for being here. i think it's going to innenergi us. i've asked them to get together to see where there are similarities and agreements so we can mo forward together. you can see there's a lot of areas in our country that are kind of left behind just because they're small. and it's not a political statement, just the nature of our country. so i was -- i really appreciate the involvement of my colleagues too. so thank you. i need some business to do. i ask unanimous consent that all have five day to submit opening statements for the record. also consent in inserting a

letter from dr. ralph jones and a letter and report from the environmental working group without objection, so ordered. and find folks that members of the committee have ten days to submit written questions for the witnesses to be included. you may get some as follow-up. we'd ask that you answer those and return those if you can. and that is without objection so ordered. and with that the hearing is adjourned. when congress returning from its august recess, one of the first items of business will be a resolution of disapproval on the obama amendment's nuclear agreement with iran and world powers starring tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. on c-span we'll bring you statements. including a speech in early august by president obama. statements for and against the

agreement by senate leaders. congress has until september 17th to pass the resolution. democrat brenda lawrence is a new member of congress. before that she worked for the postal service, served on her local school board and as mayor of southfield, michigan. since coming to washington, d.c. she's been appointed a senior democrat chip. representative lawrence the told us more in this interview. >> representative brenda lawrence, democrat from michigan. before you came to the house this year you spent a long career work in the federal government. >> yes. >> what kind of work did you do and what perspective did it give you on the seat that you now hold? >> well, i'm proud to say i was a postal worker, postal employee, united states postal

service, came in being a letter carrier, actually walking door to door in the weather, worked my way up through management and actually after 30 years to retire -- not retire, but to transition from management district job to go and be full time a mayor of my community. >> what perspective did it give you as a member of the house now on how government should be working? >> you know, it's a government agency. so knowing the checks and balances, not being frustrated with that. understanding the impact of respecting tax dollars, although the postal service generated their own revenue. the perception was that we were taxpayers generated, our rev new came that way but it came from our sales.

but what's key about that is we were regulated by the federal government. so there were internal controls and restraints. and the expectation of our role in public service to the country was extremely consistent throughout my service. i served in hr, was very concerned, served in customer service where i actually had the responsibility of, you know, delivering the mail. and that gave me, early on in my career as the first job i ever had, of respect of public service. >> you were born and raised in detroit, michigan. >> yes. >> what was that like? what did you see other the years and up to present day? >> well, being born and raised in detroit is just an amazing thing. i came up during the motown era. we are so passionate about our cars. and the manufacturing industry was in our blood. as we all know the story of

detroit, we peaked during my lifetime and then we saw a huge decline. i am so excited to represent the city of detroit at a time where everything is coming back to life. it's almost like you were dying on the vine at a certain time. and now, as we see, the auto industry has rebound, manufacturing is being redefined in that definition of manufacturing. we've still a major player in detroit. to see the crisis just devastate our area, our region. and now to see those homes being bought and occupied again, it's just a great time. and you feel like you're coming back to life. and i'm so excited to be part of that and to have lived through it. it's my home. and now to see it coming back to life. >> what originally drew you to public service, meaning elected

office and how did it start for you? >> it all started with pta. very active parent in my children's education. and every time we wanted something done, we had to go to the board, talk to the people on the board. i said, i want to be on that board, i don't think they get it and i think we can do a better job. i was a little reluctant. you know the whole story of women going into politics. i was encouraged to do it. and when i won the first time out, it was so amazing. it was like a rush. but then it became very sobering, but then i realized that these people who voted placed their trust in you. and then i will it in every time i won an election, and i have won school board, city council, mayor for 14 years and now to be a member of congress, i have

taken that initial just sober moment when i sat there after being so exhilarated over winnin7k7#óz am now an elected official to, what this is, is a vote of confidence from the people. and you have a responsibility. and every time i took a vote, over a school district, over thousands of children, their opportunities and basically their future, i've taken every single job that i've had that the public has put their trust in me seriously, and i define it as being a public servant. >> you were in fact the first woman and first african american mayor of southfield. >> yes. >> what did that mean at the time? what does it mean to you present day? and tell me about southfield. >> when i was elected a woreporr came to me and said, you're the first woman, first african.

do you think that because your city, at that time it was 40% african american, 60% white or other races, and he said do you think it's because there's a growing group of african americans? i said, you know, the people of the city of southfield voted and elected me to be their mayor. now i'm going to use every still set, all the passion i can to represent this city and to provide the government services and public service that this city deserves. i said, now, god decided to create me a woman and bless the skin with this beautiful brown color. if you want to talk about my race, talk to god. i want to talk about what i'm going to do for my city. i don't take lightly the fact that i am a woman and first to be able to sit in that seat. nor the history and the legacy and challenges of being an african american in america. i don't take that lightly. i want so much to be a role model. and every time i see a little

girl or a little african american say, when i go to schools and read to them, they say, wow, you're a mayor, and now they say i'm a congresswoman. i tell them, you can too. i take that very seriously. and when i talk to women, i use the phrase, i'm planting my feet firm and pulling my shoulders back because i know all of you need to stand on my shoulders. i take that seriously. we're still a minority. we're still only 43 in the u.s. house of congress. and so as we have increased the largest numbers ever, to have the voice of the people i represent, to have the diversity of my life and experiences at the table to debate issues, to be a woman in congress and to be able to fight for those issues that i feel are important to women, childcare, have issues

about being a caregiver. our ability to make choices about our own reproductive rights. those are important. and i don't take those lightly. so to say that i've been given this opportunity, i'm wearing it with pride and i also wear it with a tremendous amount of responsibility. and i'm excited to be here. >> what's the connection between being a mayor and a members of congress? what lessons did you take from that past experience that might help you in this new office? >> so being a mayor you have a lot more staff. you have your whole city employment. just the national impact. i owned my city. i knew every single block of it. i would just dig down -- if i wanted to know how people felt about an issue, it was manageable. when you go to congress and you

start getting lobbied off of so many different interest groups, for every issue there's a proand a con. when you vote on an issue, the impact on a national level, the most sobering moment since i've been in congress in this period of time and being a freshman -- i like to say fresh womwoman bu say freshman. it was when i received the let frer the president asking for the right to initiate military force. i had a police force and we went to safe people. we went to take care of the city. and if there was a bad guy, yes, we were trained and skilled to do that. but to use military force was a very sobering moment.

i miss the into maintimacy of m constituents. i love going home because i get to touch the people and hear from them, and get the energy of am i meeting my mark. you know, what's important to you. i never want to lose that. and i think local government -- that's why i wanted to run for congress, because to give you an example, the highway trust fund, to talk about issues about minimum wage, education, these are issues that we're talking about and i know the intimate impact on the federal law right down to the person or to the home. that's why i wanted to run for congress. because i felt that that voice and that experience was lacking. and i never want to lose touch with my constituents and those who i represent. >> your district has been

described as a combination of sort of vastly different communities. >> yes. >> explain the district, how it's made up, who is there, what they think, what they'd like for you to do for them. >> so, i have some of the most wealthiest communities not only in michigan but in the country. and i have, as you know, detroit and some other communities that have gone through extreme challenges, with criminal justice, with education reform, with unfortunately violence. we have had some of the most challenging issues, social issues played out in my district. so we have the finances, the bankruptcy that you saw detroit go through. i have four communities in my district that are going through or coming out of being under a financial manager. now in addition to that, i have the largest number of middle

eastern population in my district and in the neighboring district than the middle east. so i have issues as playing out in baghdad, in lebanon, in yemen, all of these are my constituents. so where some congress members may not be deal with what's happening in yemen, these are my constituents and their families. so that has been an issue and a responsibility for me when it comes to my case work, when it comes to my being sensitive. i have a very large jewish population. so issues with israel is very important that i represent them. social justice issues. my constituents -- my district is majority african american. they want me to have a voice. they want me to stand up and fight for them. you know, what is happening when it comes to policing in america.

our education, you know, title 1. it breaks my heart because i know the impact for those children who are in poverty that title 1 has on their ability to succeed in an educational situation that most people would call not normal because there's so many challenges. this is an opportunity -- when i talk about the diverseness -- now, in addition to that, i have water, michigan. i have water all around me. they're very passionate. you better protect our water. you better be on board with this. and then you have the issue of -- that, you know, people are split on, you know, choice, life. those issues always play out. you know, when we talk about funding for our roads, oh my gosh, michigan is one of the worst in the country.

we need to nervoinvest in our infrastructure. i'm so proud that i'm on the -- i started a task force -- caucus on skilled trades. i'm from a manufacturing environment. so i saw factories close and move to mexico. but now the industry is coming back. and what you see, where the person used to stand there and weld a door together, a robot does that. so that job doesn't exist. that person may be unemployed. but guess what, that robot needs someone to program it. they need electronics technician to repair it. so here you are with a brand-new set of opportunities. and while we are doing well with engineers, that base, that support is -- we are across the country there is a huge gap. and only 30% of our children go to college. and we in america do not support skilled trades.

you and i both know, i don't care how rich you are, when you toilet stops working, you need a plumber. when the lights aren't working, you need an electrician. when the computer stops working, you need a programmer. these are skilled trade jobs. we're going to have to focus and support that. i submitted a bill that if you, as a manufacturing company, will take khan of your employees and train them in a skilled trade, we'll give you a tax insent tif up to 20% to do that. we as the united states government must be partners in addressing the skills gap and the unemployment in america. >> you mentioned such a diverse portfolio and your busyness here and back in the strict. how do you balance your time between the work you need to do here on the hill, committees, hearings, the floor, constituent visits, and then going back home and doing all of that and

raising money for reelection, right? how do you do it all? >> it's a grind. it's a grind. what's the major difference of being a mayor, i had a little more control of my life. here you have to make the commitment. and you know, every member has a scheduler. that's their full-time job, to manage your schedule. and have time for my granddaughter who is the light of my life. my husband of 40-plus years. you know, i trained him. i don't have time to train another one. i want to keep him. you have to schedule time to be with your family. to say that raising funds for money. i'm still celebrating winning congress and already i'm preparing for reelection. so that's -- i'm right back into the campaign mode. and then when you talk about the voting, i have to spend time with my constituents. so when i leave here, get on the

plane, travel home, i get off the plane, go right into district work. so people say, you're going home to relax, that's absolutely not the case. >> how did you first make your way around the hill as a new member? who showed you around, how did you find out where to go, what do do when you got there, the whole orientation thing. >> i think that the administration committee did an amazing job with orientation. what they did that i thought was so profound is that they included your spouse so that your spouse would get a sense of what your world would be like. it was two weeks of going to every -- all of our orientation, except for the security briefings. they were included in our ethics, going on the floor, seeing where we'll be sitting, what, you know, what we'll be doing. that was important. the other thing is that you get lost a lot.

this is a massive building with tunnels that will take you places that you never heard of. once we started building staff who had been on the hill, they would walk with you to make sur supposed to be to vote. i now know how to get to the floor to vote and to the cafeteria. but it was trail and error. and they kind of laugh at you. they know when you're a freshman because you're walking around with that look. and they will say, are you lost? >> our c-span viewers might see you and other members in small chunks. two minutes on the floor, five minutes at a hearing. is that enough time to express yourself, to ask the right questions of people? or what should the viewers know they may not see on tv? >> what you see on tv are hearings, committee work. it is is where legislation is framed at. and they may not all see that. because that's not channel you watch are the actual hearings.

and they can be like paint drying. but that's where the work is. that's what gives me that being a freshman. i learn more. when you see us on the floor. one thing many people don't realize, buzzing around, we're actually talking about bills and legislation and debating with our colleagues. you'll see us cross over and talk to republicans. i need your support on this. why can't you do this? a lot of work happens on that floor when we're taking a vote. that was surprising to me. before coming to congress it looked like chaos, all of these people running around and talking, why aren't they sitting down being orderly. but that's one time where every member of congress on the floor. and you can go and touch someone and say i need to talk to you about this.

so that is something people need to look at. but i have an amazing legislative staff. every district -- i mean, every congressional office, we hire people. that's all they do is go dig in to legislation. we have a lot of reading to do. we have meetings. we have caucus meetings. that goes on all day long. and it's on issues and you learn more. and then you can -- sometimes you go to another committee and sit in so that you can learn more. >> overall, and more broadly, what do you make of the way this town and capitol hill operates? >> there's some traditions on this hill that i find amazing that we still use. i don't know a lot of people notice when we're in session, a person puts on white gloves and

brings it in and sets it down to signify we're in session. i find that amazing. it's a tradition that has gone on for years. i question the partisan. i'm concerned about that. for some issues that we're all on board, and then it gets locked into a partisan issue that i just can't understand. i'll give you an example of homeland security budget. there wasn't a member in congress that realized we needed to fund that, how important that was. we got sidetracked on an issue that was put into that bill. i keep saying this. if we agree on the issue and it's good for our country and it's good policy, let's vote on that and take care of the people's business. there are some things we

fundamentally disagree on. and let's grind that out. there is nothing wrong with partisan discussions debate. our country was built on that. democratic republican philosophies. and everyone thinks that we have one of the best democracies in the country -- in the world. so i'm not afraid of the grind. but don't grind on things that we agree on. don't implant divisive legislation into something we agree on. that's new eyes on the system. that causes me some grief. >> the massive reading you have to do for legislation, what else do you read? what do you like to read in the office, outside the office or at home? and how do you fuel yourself that way? >> well, for me, i like to read newspapers.

i like to know what's going on. to me it gives me a broader view of what people are saying. if i read, i'm going to read something that is fiction. i need to get rid of the hard issues and just feel good. i like motivational books to give you tools on how to get through difficult, challenging times. i love the books on women and leadership. as a matter of fact, i'm writing one now. it is important to me for women who have been given the opportunity of leadership to really navigate through that and share that so that other women can have some of the pit falls and road blocks we have. >> besides your staff, what's important in this room, this office, mementos, pictures.

>> well, family. i never want to lose sight of how important family is. i have been married to my childhood sweetheart. i have an amazing grand daughter. i have two just great children. and i just -- i think in everything that you do, like right now when i'm talking about education, my granddaughter is currently in school being educated. that brings it home. and i talk about long-term care insurance. i think about my parents and my grandparents who i was a care taker for. so family kind of defines everything that we talk about here. it is hard for you to dismiss it from that. and i will tell you that there's

other things in here. i mean, it's different pieces of detroit that i brought into my office. i'm a member of a so errority, delta sigma theta. i'm proud of that. i think that everybody has a begin date and an end date. but what's different is the dash. i want to say i made a difference not only in my city, my school, but in the country. >> you mentioned leadership. we should point out you were elected by your peers as freshman. appointed by a senior whip. why do you think they gave you those assignments? what does it mean to you? what do you hope to accomplish?

>> well, i was offered by steny hoyer before i was even sworn in. i asked that question of him. i said you do know the first one, right? he said, yes. but when i look at your background, the path that you've taken and the experience and skill sets that you bring, he said that's a voice that i want. so is as senior whip, you are hearing the challenges, the legislation, and the bills and you are sitting there to bring perspective. how does this impact. what is good about that? what i want to do is continue to bring the skill sets that i have and i'm so proud of to the discussion of federal government. we were first in class of some amazing people. and we have stayed really close. and so to have the class, and to

keep that closeness. >> how long would you like to serve in the house if they'll keep you? i should ask, you ran for lieutenant governor. at one point in michigan. do you have larger aspirations back home in michigan? >> i am living and working my dream job. i have been given this amazing opportunity. i want to serve as long as the people keep me there. as long as i have that fire in the belly. i was telling my staff, i was walking down the hall of the capitol and i said i never want to lose the sense of awe of this place. i still stand here and i think about the history and the people that walked these aisles. i never want to walk and not just feel that i'm in a special place. if i ever lose that, i'm going

home. so i have that fire in my belly. if i'm truly doing public service and i'm taking care of my constituents, then i want to stay. >> freshman, 14th district, thanks a lot for your time. >> thank you so much. tonight on c-span3, american history tv with the look at bomb, of hiroshima and nagasaki. first, an interview with clifton truman daniel, who was the first to travel to japan and meet with atomic bomb survivors. and then the aftermath of the bombings. a look at artifacts recovered from hiroshima and nagasaki recently featured at the american university museum in washington, d.c. later, a discussion on the lives of japanese-american citizens