was deep throat. that got answered in the history of this and it is one of those things were as soon as it came out, people said of course. that is logical. that is who it was. he did not give us primary data. talk about -- he was encouraging us. i think that was a very important. i think he was a source of comfort to the editors at the post that there was somebody senior in the justice department behind this. we certainly would have written what to get stories without him. . .

>> does the surplus actually exist? >> when bill clinton left office hakodate -- what office? the obvious part of the answer and chip -- bob can finish up. the war happened. >> you go on from there. and the books -- and the tax cut. >> the bush tax cut kicked in at the same time that the war spending went up board. >> can i take two minutes to tell the store which we have not told until today? and that is -- we keep wanting

to know the future, and in fact we do not we never get the future right. when that did the second story on bullish about how he decided to go to war -- on bush about how he decided to go to war in iraq? i asked him, how do you think history will judge the iraq war? and he takes his hands out and shrubs like only bush can and says, history? we will not know. we will all be dead. [laughter] >> and for it -- and with that we want thank you for having us. [applause] >> i really knew that we weren't done. >> real quick -- that was the

tension. we got to get you home to your war newspaper. [laughter] and so i go home and my wife asked me how was the interview, and i said he answered all the question but they're really good news is that i have the ending to the book. ending to books are hard to find. about a year later, 2005, high was giving a talk in washington and the subject of your great biography, hillary clinton, was the other speaker. she came up to me and said, i quote from your book all the time. in fact i "it's so often i should give you royalties. i stupidly said no and should

have said how much. she said, i "the end of the book were you asked about history and bush says, history we will not know. i said, why you quit that? hillary can get excited. she said, you cannot be president of the united states and talk like that. she is putting her fist into her palm. you're bullish is a fatalist. he gives himself over to a history. you cannot think and talk like that and the president. and i said, well. she said, no, you cannot. george washington would never talk like that. thomas jefferson would never talk like that. bill would never talk like that. [laughter] >> what would jesus do? [laughter]

>> then i thought washington, jefferson, bill -- the new mount rushmore. history we will not know. we will all be dead. >> thank you. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] >> coming up next, we will show you a number of commencement addresses. first, leigh ann tuohy, the mother of michael oher. then william lowry at kenyon college. and later, the ceo of jpmorgan chase, jamie dimon, talks at syracuse university. join us tomorrow when "washington journal" welcomes

windy sherman. then taught tucker and daniel griswald on the north american free trade agreement. and then sam gerdano of the national banking institute joins us. "washington journal" is live every day starting in 7:00 p.m. eastern on cnn. tomorrow, a look at new orleans in the wake of the gulf oil oil spill. our coverage is under way at 1:00 p.m. eastern on c-span2. his government broken? the brookings institute is hosting a panel tomorrow asking that question. it talks about current challenges to good governance and ways to strengthen democracy. this gets underway at 1:00 p.m. on c-span.

all next, our reason number of commencement speeches. leigh ann tuohy, the mother of baltimore ravens football player michael oher. she was betrayed by sandra bullock in her academy award winning performance in the movie opened "the blind side -- she was portrayed by sandra bullock in her academy award winning performance in the movie: "the blind side." >> it is my privilege to introduce for the first time dr. leigh ann tuohy. >> it's good to have some women appear instead of men helping me. i am truly honored to be up here today. when cbu called, our schedules are crazy right now and i hesitated a little bit. my husband has to call a doctor

tuohy took on a whole different meaning. so here i am and i am happy, let me tell you. i don't know how many of you know our story. that think three years ago that i would be standing here speaking much less giving a graduation speech to an amazing bunch of people was beyond my wildest imagination. but we firmly believe that god is in control of the story of our lives right now. we learned about you, value was one of them. you guys are going to leave here today and go out into the world. a lot of you have been in it before. you look up the value in the dictionary and there are words attached to it like worth and dignity. what do those words meaning? you go into an office, you interviewed for jobs, if you want someone that value, that they think if you have worth and

value, something that will contribute to the next level of your life, whatever that may be. and then you look at people, and you value them. it is a two way street. everyone in this auditorium will leave here today and before that day and, you will look at someone and say, and you will put a value on them. whether someone you pass and the parking lot, a guide pumping gas next year, wherever you may be, in your mind, you go -- you size someone up and if you say you do not do it, you are lying. we all do it. look at my son, michael oher the finest young man you will ever meet. immensely intelligent, extremely athletic, the best tackle in the nfl, said from a mother's perspective. society deemed him of value

less. my son got off the bus every day at poplar and ridgway and walk to school. 30 or 40,000 cars a day past him. there was not a soul in this world that care whether that young man lived or died. he would have fallen dead right there on the street and no one would have known him to contact. he was not using the correct last 93 he was not sure what his first name was. the things that you take granted an and still in your kids every day -- society deemed michael oher value the spirit you taken into law home and you love him and you give them hope you give him opportunity, and people, it will change a light. i have lived it. i have lived it. this young man was so close to falling through the cracks that

it will rock your world when you really think about the opportunity that could have been lost with this young man's life. and just through everyday circumstances, our paths crossed. in our house we call it a miracle. childbirth is truly easier to explain them how we got to where we are with michael. it has been dog-driven -- god- driven. he had value and no one saw it. so i challenge you that you go out and you look at the person standing next to you, no matter what side of that that they all on or where you are having a conversation, do not be so quick to judge and do not be so quick to put a value on that

individual. because you do not know what their circumstances are, and with michael, with the hope, opportunity, and love that was offered to him, if changes light. he is a contributing, a valuable member of society now. and the scary thing is -- you wonder how many michael ohers are out there? they are in every city of united states of america. we firmly believe that the cure for cancer is walking around in the inner city in memphis, tennessee and all that he needs is the chance. i am not challenging you to go out and adapt a 6 foot 3 inch black kid. it is not for everybody. they eat a lot. thank goodness we were in the taco bell business. but you can do something. you can do something and you can make a difference. i am in college, you say.

what can i do? you can do something. take whatever it is that you choose to do, just do it well. there are all kinds of opportunities right under your word for it two words that changed our life -- turnaround. turnaround. get off the beaten path. get off the golf course. get out your biology class. whatever it may be, it could be right under your nose, the person that need some help. i challenge you today to make a difference, one person can make a difference and you can change somebody's life. and i will end with this little store. i am sure most of you have heard. it has become the foundation of our belief in the tuohy household because this was a group effort there was a little boy and his grandfather walking on the beach one day and a storm comes along, scatters all kinds of shells and starfish upon the

beach. and there were hundreds of star fish washed up on the beach. and the grandfather made a statement to his grandson, a shame that all those are going to die. the little boy looked perplexed and said, what you mean? the starfish have to live in the water. so the little boy frantically ran down the beach and picked up starfishes past as he could, and throwing them back into the water. the grandfather stop him and said, son, don't waste your time doing that. his justice starfish. you cannot save them all. the little boy reached the arm -- reached down and through the star fish back into the water. i just saved that one. you can be the person that tosses the starfish backed out. you can make a difference in someone's life. so i challenge you as you leave

here today, get involved. this school has taught you and pleasant things and put things in front of you -- charitable. it is a gem in the city of memphis, tennessee. you are fortunate to graduate from the christian brothers university today. make a difference to that one person. 90. -- lanky. >> thank you, amy. good morning. class of 2010, border trusties, faculty, staff, students, parents and guests. it is impossible for you to understand that story that i feel at this moment, how prevalent -- the joy that i feel at this moment, how privilege. to address you today, i am truly

honored. when the president called me to inform me of this opportunity, i was stunned to the extent that i asked that i might have some time to export -- some time to respond during my hesitancy had nothing to do with the quality of the event for my availability. it was a certain request for a ton to decide if i thought i deserved this honor, and most of all if i could justify your confidence in me. upon hearing my request for more time, as your president was thinking, oh, no. we have made a mistake. what was i thinking? well, the president, after the next few months your worst fears might be realized. it did not take me long to determine that this was an extremely gracious offer, but

regardless of how misguided it was one that i had to honor. moreover, this occasion affords me the opportunity to understand my passion in this class will have another impression of the place that will suit be its alma mater. and lastly at did not want a chance for my wife, whose devotion to kenyon rivals my. like you, i will be happy when i complete these remarks. [laughter] you will get closer to achieving the milestone that you have been chasing for four years. however, our mutual happiness will result from two entirely different reasons. for you, if you will have your coveted degree. for me, i will be liberated from

the mandate and uncontrollable flow about what should be or should not be included in these remarks. when i finally say, thank you, i will be liberated to haul fully regain my more natural and simple-minded existence, not to mention the attention of my loving wife and a return to uninterrupted sleep. [laughter] class of 2010, welcome to the kenyon mystique. this is something frequently discussed but rarely adequately defined. by graduating from kenyon so long ago, i feel compelled to dispel the myth concerning me in my activities here. rutherford b. hayes and i were not classmates. [laughter]

he graduated the year before i got here. [laughter] today i see my path is being quite simple. i want to describe how i see kenyon, what it means to me, what it might mean to you, and your futures, and finally to hopefully offer a few helpful hints that might assist you in navigating the tricky and muddy waters that way you after canyon. to that end, i do not guarantee substance, but i do -- i am convinced that to be immortal does not have to be eternal. as i said here enjoying the wonders of this day, i cannot help but reflect on my graduation day 54 years ago. as i sat in my seats those many years ago, and i should get a

clap. [laughter] [applause] i should get a class just to be standing up here. [applause] [laughter] as i waited for the hoopla at the fayed, and that included the speeches, i suddenly broke out in may cold sweat, and my first thought was that my overzealous evening of serious libation was catching up with me. but then it dawned on me that what i was feeling was fear. in a few moments, i would to -- i would receive my degree. theoretically certifying my readiness to meet the adult challenges of the world. in essence, at that moment, after four exceptionally enriching years at canyon, being exposed to these fears

previously unknown, my experiences had only made one thing very clear to me -- how little high really new. -- i really knew. a frightening thought. and much has happened to kenyon since its beginning in 1824, and although their many differences between then and now, there are similarities as well. perhaps we all kenyon resembled my opinion, it was all male. there were other features that resonated. for instance, the founder wanted to produce man for the ministry in our urban life. although that have subsided by the time i got here, there were other kenyan traits i found interesting. early kenyon was like a medieval

monastery with a curriculum based on classics, the bible, philosophy, and religion. in 1825, there were 25 students. the same number of students that dropped out of kenyon my freshman year in a class of 125. and that was before the second semester. by 1828, kenyon had grown to 50 students at the cost of $70 a year for tuition. sometimes in the audience, where were you when i needed you? interestingly, five boys from the mohawk tribe i attended the school. not surprising, the school went through many years of growing pains due to financial instability. during those years, the school remain committed to to the

classical liberal arts curriculum despite the pressure -- that created a business school in the early it 20th century. subsequent to that happening, many positive actions took place that enriched the school and its traditions, among them admitting women in 1969. and selecting the school's first president -- first female president in 2003. in my youth, -- in my view, both enhance the quality and reputation of this outstanding institution. i chose this thing, welcome to kenyon mystique, because i am intrigued by the handle. following this day, you will join the ranks of us who for years have been trying to define and defend the elusive nature of this mystique. what is it? doesn't derive from the schools dedication to the liberal arts?

is that the school's unique blend of contrasts, individual muslim, independence, collectivism, east and west, rich and poor? i think it is all that and above. it is in formality coupled with academic seriousness wrapped in humane clothing. we deny no whatever one wants to call it, but it works. i promise you, much time will be given to deciphering that in the real encasement that you inhabit, but do not fight it. it is a good thing. this mystique is unifying and powerful. but it is even given some of us jobs and careers. how did i get here?

well, when i was looking for college choices, i was somewhat lost. but many youngsters, i was the first in the family to go to college so my parents did not feel equipped all for the guidance that i needed. i reflected on my struggles in collecting data and trying to establish a framework for my college surgery i must admit, i was not diversity motivated. i was educationally motivated. my father believes the key is for the kingdom for black americans was education. quality education. in all fairness, i got the canyon more by chance than design. i what the a school in chicago that has applied canyon with many fine students over the currently we have parker students here at canyon. one is a member of this class.

[applause] you cannot let them down, jak e. prior to my coming, but three friends of mine attended and suggested the dean of admission that he contact me. i met with the game when he came to parker and i was interested in what it had offered. when i finally arrived, but i was denied the chance to become reunited with my buddies. they found it so entertaining and pleasurable that all three had been kicked out of school. they had a good time, they really had a good time, but they forgot the main ingredient to inquire -- to ensure academic excellence, to study. they did not do that. it was wrong moment during the application process when i thought that kenyon college would not be a part of my future. when i applied, financially it

was imperative for a never would have been able to attend. one could take a scholarship test in the subject of your choice three supposedly your expertise. quite frankly, at 17 years old, i did not feel i have a command of any subject, especially one subject that would provide the financial windfall allow me to attend college. but despite pessimism, i reason that four years of relative success in math in high school might enable me to demonstrate my intellectual depth. the exam was mailed to my high school. the school psychologist administered the exam and inform me that i had three hours to completed. he implying that test taking methodology that i was taught, i surveyed the entire test, determine the old level of difficulty and then determine how i was going to allocate my

time. the tests had four sides. before realized it, i had survey the entire test. a level of difficulty that i determined was impossible. there was not any thing on that test that was readily discernible. suddenly i realized this was going to be the long as three hours i ever had in my life and i was right. somehow i was given financial understanding -- assistance, and if i attended, under no circumstances should i consider being a math major. [laughter] perhaps the most poignant example of never make assumptions occurred when i first arrived in mount vernon to attend school. i've taken the train from chicago to mount vernon and

arrived that morning about 5:30 a.m.. after being informed that taxes would not be available for a few more hours, i decided to have breakfast. i founded finer not too far from the station, and i discovered a place that was completely empty. i approached the proprietor and asked if he was serving breakfasts. after some hesitancy, he nodded. i was then ushered through the restaurant to the very end of the room next to the kitchen door. i ate in silence. no one into the diner while i was there. it was during that time that i realized, this experience might be very challenging. however, all more daunting thought occurred to me. was kenyon college going to be like this? i was not sure what expectations i had one hour ride but i know what i found.

i found support, sensitivity, and scholarship. i was challenged academically but always felt the faculty and staff were sensitive to mind that needs and i never had to battle all loan unless it was my choice. what is kenyon mean to maine? it accompanied my maturation. there is no doubt that i met -- left here a better man than the boy who arrived. but it is possible that the significance of canyon and the people to determine its sole did not register until later. the event that was perhaps one of the most telling moments of my entire life took place here on this campus. and that moment was not as personally laudable as it was representative of the caliber of people who attend this college.

the caliber you represent. when i entered college, in 1952, our country was just beginning to truly crap with the issues of racial discrimination. jackie robinson had broken the color line and professional baseball was unable to stay in the same hotel as his teammates. jim crow was alive and well. it was also a time when coaches at florida schools refused to play kenyon college because i was a member of the baseball team. there were further educational opportunities for all two years away. it was against this backdrop that a group of 60 white men decided they wanted to pledge a black and a beta the -- a black in beta thta pi for the first

time. it speaks highly to those men and their values, not to mention their courage and character. as you might imagine, this was a very unpopular action nationally. but those men were determined to honor their deep conviction, regardless of the consequences. in that 56 years that have followed, i am hard pressed to identify another act of personal involvement that displayed such courage and equity. to me, these are the kind of people who attend, work, and teach at kenyon college. this is a distinctive place. [applause] but i do not feel that distinctive this can be institutionalized. the people deserve to station.

every generation of students, staff, and faculty seemed to share the common in -- a common denominator of uniqueness. i understand halide you the college and its people might differ from others. you do not look at the same way that i do. but that is only as it should be. for me, kenyon college proved to be an incubator. it enabled me to grow. i was challenged to think, act, lead, as well as understand the flames of references of others. i did not come here is a crusader or an evangelist, but i left with the added dimension of tolerance, understanding, and a great deal of hope. i offer the same to you. i cannot leave this podium without addressing the importance if not necessity of employment in your futures. [laughter] after spending a lifetime, all

working lifetime in the field of human resources, this might be the only area where my utterances might have some validity. i understand your plight. i have been there. prior to graduation and entering the air force, i was rejected by every employer i contacted. three years later, just before being separated from the military, i applaud the 17 companies for a job and receive 17 turned down. i have those letters to date. a forceful reminder of the power of determination. i feel i was saved by timing and the kenyon mystique. timing in the sense that a job coincided with my availability, and the mystique work because another kenyon college graduate was sensitive to monday. for those of you not going to write to graduate school and not able to secure job, there is hope.

despite the deplorable job environment is in the country, people are being hired somewhere or something. i further submit to you that the tools required for connection are really your personal tool kit that has been provided largely by your own and by canyon. trust me. the key word plastic uttered in them to move the "the graduate" does not have the same significance to that. but another word today possesses a similar power. networking. during that time span here with an enormously talented faculty, if you have developed abilities, and in the process you are now on with the formidable personal arsenal. by graduating today, you are welcomed into the kenyon mystique and its broad network. use it.

as i indicated, i spent most of my working career in the field of human resources. much of that time was dedicated to their recruitment of exceptional men and women. like yourselves. i feel i have an appreciation for the employment process as well as that sought by those that do the hiring. graduates fit the mold or you're not just excellent candidate for graduate school. you're just -- your potential employees who can add value anywhere, given the opportunity and a professor of circumstances. the process is relatively simple. understand the system, determine where and how you can contribute, and if needed, kenyon college can still help you connect the dots. what do employers seek? they are looking for someone who is smart, is willing to work

hard, demonstrates analytic ability, can work with others, has behavior flexibility, is mature, suggest created and the imaginative thinking, has high energy, is impervious to hardship, it does not require handling, quick communication skills both written and spoken, has a realistic outlook, as patients, is awful, and most of all, walks on water. [laughter] you may not believe this. but i may have just described you. you have all that. and one might say it is good to know what people say, but how the white crack into the system and conduct a successful job search? in my view, a successful job search requires an understanding and/or the execution of the following -- that preparation. do your homework. research the people, co., a job

and anything that enables you to demonstrate your knowledge and your interest in the organization and the position. realistically assess the situation and circumstances. accept what exists, not what you want it to be. temporarily put aside the technology. get out and meet people. just for a moment, lessen your decide -- your desire for order and expediency and conservation of time and concentrate on the skills that might considerably alter your life. perhaps your greatest strength is your ability to effectively communicate. included in that process is relative to a face-to-face exchanges. those exchanges may not only be identical but also refreshing. the key to these exchanges is not working. the confident and persistent,

but not all as an arrogant. the more objective and less subjective. lean toward your strength and work on your weaknesses later. recognize that resumes are important but they only kievan effective interview. recognize the communication trounce potential. never try to be someone or something you are not. it is easier to sell to you are then who you want to be. there is no substitute for rock intelligence. stay focused and use what you have and never underestimate an interviewer's ability to recognize gold. except the benefits of networking and make it your primary resource. and finally, if you're like me, i has been a lifetime trying to find sensible guidelines to help keep me grounded and hopefully allow me to contribute in

meaningful ways. as part of that process, identified a few principles. although simple, they have produced results for may. as guideposts they might serve you in the same manner. i built this principles expose me to the powers of working with while for others, securing employment, and more importantly, keeping it. if nothing else, the following might be food for thought. common denominators exist everywhere, if you look for them. schering common denominators is far more productive than highlighting differences. the golden rule lives on. if one can somehow put himself or herself and another person shoes, correct solutions normally appear very quickly. assume nothing. we all know what assumptions can make of you and me. that also stars.

try not to allow your emotions to overrule your reason. thtry to avoid that happening. and finally, one never learns anything while talking. obtaining new and different information generally comes from and out of body experience. so as you depart and spread out over the country, be mindful of the fact that this is in you and everywhere. moreover, you should know there are many people like me willing to assist you in any way possible. i congratulate the cat -- a class of 2010 and applaud the six founding a conference they have achieved. and this is only the beginning. in addition, i congratulate her

partners, guardians, and your parents. i know that when i graduated here, my dad felt that he might agree was more his than mine. i imagine a few parents here today will fill the same way. in closing, i am reminded of thoughts from the rev. martin luther king to reflect my sentiments and framer reference shaped by him and his exceptional documents for the words speak to the hope i have for us all. we have inherited a large house , a great world house, in which we have to live together. black and white, eastern and westerner, gentile and you, catholic and protestant, muslim and hindu. the family unduly separated in ideas, culture, interests, and who because we can never again live apart must learn some how to live with each other in peace.

we must rapidly began to shift from a team oriented society to a person oriented society. when machines, computers, profit motives, and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and millet terrorism are incapable of being conquered. we still lead a choice today, nonviolent existence or violent annihilation. this may be our last chance to choose between chaos and community. i have received more my share of recognition of kenyon college through the years but today's honor represents the epitome of distinction and i will cherish the stay forever. thank you for letting me share this day.

my wife and i thank you and wish you the very best in wherever your life takes you. thank you so much. >> here is what is ahead. next, more commencement addresses. remarks by deborah bial who runs the policy foundation. then we will hear from jamie dimon at syracuse university. after that, meryl streep has an address of barnard college. his government broken? the parking institution is hosting a panel discussion tomorrow asking that question. the will discuss current challenges to good governance and ways to extend democracy. this is underway live at 1:00 p.m. eastern on c-span2.

and campaign 2010 is heating up. tomorrow, a live debate among the republican candidate for south carolina governor. we will have that for years starting at 7:00 p.m. eastern here on c-span. >> new british prime minister and conservative party leader david cameron hears questions from members of parliament in his first prime minister's question as the head of the coalition government. live from the british house of commons wednesday at 10:00 a.m. eastern here on c-span. >> deborah bial who found that the policy foundation addresses the denison university. the posse foundation seeks out inner core city youth and helps them go to college. from ohio, this is about 30

minutes. >> deborah bial. >> oh, my gosh. hi. this is an incredible honor. thank you so much, everybody. i get nervous. are you a little nervous? you look just gorgeous out there. ok, so i'm going to be official. thank you, president, again, and at denison board of trustees, especially bill mulligan, who was wonderful and here today. and the staff and all of you for inviting me to say something had your graduation. and this is a commencement speech, right? it has to be little bit interesting. so i am thinking, what do i say? first things third. congratulations to the class of 2010. you did it.

you have a lot to be proud of and a lot to look for to perjure families and friends deserve the applause that you just gave them for all of their support and care, and this is their day as well. and a special congratulations -- i could not stand up here and not say that -- to the denison posse scholars. yay, i love you all and i'm proud of you. about 500 use sitting out there, 519 grachev wedding, on the cusp of the next part of your life. and i want to talk a little bit about what is ahead. well, maybe, what i want to talk about his falling in love. that is what is most important, right? right?

did you not learn that in sector, love is not love which alters -- alters when it alteration fines? the poets really understand that. one person writes, i love you and certain dark things are loved secretly between the shadow and the soul. the pellets, the artistic talents, we know from paul and john and ring go and george that all you need is -- >> love. >> i think lady gaga found love. so happy i could die. be your best friend. i'll love you forever. up in the clouds will be higher than ever. so happy i could die. and then there is drapke.

had better find your heart. i better find your love. i'd bet if i give all my love, nothing is on the terrace bar. it's clear in universal. love is super important. and on top of finding love we must pay attention to the effort involved if we want love to work. even albert einstein said, and the man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kids the attention that it deserves. and you wonder where i'm going with this. i am just trying to make the point and here it is. the truth is, no one would dispute that finding true love is a fine goal, a beautiful goal, and many of us whether we admit it or not have this as the front of or the back of our mind all the time.

so my question to you is this -- wouldn't it be great if each of us, every single one of us, had that same vote intensity when it comes to caring about the world out there, at the front or the back of our mind all the time? when the world be a different place? martin luther king said, if a man and i will add a woman has not discovered sooething that he will not die for, he is not fit to live. and i don't think he was talking about just falling in love. since some of you are going out to make some money. good, and good luck with that. some of you are going off to graduate school, also good. i know that some of you have very specific ideas about what you want to do it and be, a lawyer, doctor, an architect, as the nature -- all good. we need you to do all those things. and i understand, what you're

doing that, you're still going to be looking for love. love that will sweep you off your feet, make you melt, see stars, catcher brad, and know that the whole world will be all right because this love exists -- yes. my point -- the truth is that you should have the same constant ongoing, never forget for a second feeling in your brain that you're going to contribute to the world. i am very serious. the united states was built with the idea that it could be a meritocracy, that everyone could have the same chance to succeed if they've worked hard, if they studied, and if they care. but we are not there yet. consider some of the falling. did you know by the year 2015, when you will be about 71 years old -- 2050, when you will be

about 71 years old, there will be over 400 million people who will live in this country. by that time, whites will no longer be the majority and they are not in our big cities. i do not know if you know, the fastest-growing population is the latino population. yet they have the lowest college bowling and completion rates. today blacks and latinos make about 30% of the population, but they represent only 12% of the student body at our top colleges and universities. schools like denison. and of all the fortune 500 ceo's in this country, only 15 are women. seven are asian. seven of latino. five are black. out of 500 ceo's! only four states recognize same- sex marriage.

and the richest 10% of americans own more well than the entire bottom 90% combined. so where is the leadership today? who are the leaders -- the decision makers and where are we focusing our energy? americans make up about 5% of the population but we consume 30% of its resources. some estimates suggest that every individual american will produce about 100,000 pounds of garbage by the time she is 75 years old. and there are more shopping malls in this country and high schools. i guess my point is that we are a little bit greedy and a little bit wasteful, and there are big things that are happening in the world that need the energy that we're putting into the being and shopping and falling in love. [applause] it is not hard to say that this world needs help, especially

when you think about the effect diversity have all of us, whether race, class, sexuality, or socio-economic status, our collective experience is being affected every day by racism, bias, misogyny, and phobia. in truth, i believe -- i really do -- that each of you cares. and i can tell from the incredible camp plus columns and writing and projects that you are inclined to do something, to act. and now you are going out there and i hope you carry those passions into the world outside the denison bubble. and i hope for you to date you really care, that you care about the wars that are still going on in the lives that are still being lost, my hope is that you care that the unemployment rate in this country is close to 10% and that you realize it is close to 16%

for african-americans. my hope is that you care that a record number of americans are you look -- are losing their homes, that you care about the racial and religious profiling and the inequities that exist in the public schools, causing huge gaps in preparing this for young people from different racial and class backgrounds. i hope you care that the oil spill in the gulf as threatening the livelihood of thousands of ordinary hard-working residents, and that women still make only seventy-seven cents to the dollar that every man earns, and that hate crimes unfortunately are on the rise. those are facts. those of us to graduate from great institutions like denison have the most options more doors open for a spirit we have more chances to become what we dream of becoming. but if all we do is focus on our cells, i mean, for goodness sake, everything is an iphone

and i had -- and an ipad -- they are all i in. i know they're cool, but then what happens to the rest of the country, all those people did not get to graduate from places like denison? who will be there to represent all americans? of all the state legislatures in this country, only 8% or black. 3% latino, 1% asian, 1% american indian. 87% of the state legislators are white. who lives below the poverty level in this country? 24% of blacks and latinos live below the poverty level. how many whites? 9%. something is wrong with this, right? 75% of americans who come from wealthier backgrounds will get a bachelor's degree by the time they're 24 years old.

compare that only 9% of americans who come from a low socioeconomic background. we are still perpetuating a class system based on race. and we would be wrong to imagine that the issues that we need to address are defined slowly by race and class. gender, sexual to, religion, nationality are all important in understanding the american community. in my view, we are not ok. 40% of americans believe that gay couples should not be allowed to adopt a child. this world these help. i have never forgotten the picture that was printed on the front page of the "new york times" of the parents holding the body of their child killed in an earthquake in china. people call up newspaper to complain. the photo was too upsetting, they felt. it should not be on the cover of the newspaper.

what you think? our hearts should be open, not just to falling tilt -- falling in love, but to the world. we need to look. we need to care. and we need to contribute. let's not allow the media and corporate branding of groups defined as. why it do we spend our time texting, looking down, and never seeing what is going on around us. when i started posse, i thought this could be a way to create a new network of leaders on this great planet, no one that would represent the diversity of this country and therefore reflect the concerns, the cares, and the dreams of all americans. it would be this network that would sit down at the table where decisions get made and better represent the collective. i see that vision coming true for our incredible poss scotte

laws, but when i stand before you, i see it coming true with each if you in the equation. this is an historic time. we cannot deny that we've made progress in terms of so rights and women's rights. we of the first african-american president of united states, and that deserves a moment. [applause] .

and we pool our resources, if we care about each other's problems, we have a much better chance of building something for us all. my husband, he writes for a newspaper. he says, you know what? the dream, the american dream, that is on life-support. well, let's prove him wrong. reach into the depths of your soul and live your life so fully that you feel as if you are about to burst. care about each other like crazy, and love like crazy. there is a myth. maybe you know it. that the creation of the world started with earth, erebus, and love as the first being. love came from the egg of night, and bringing joy.

well, give yourself equal importance. fall in love. number one. and two, make the world better. i know you can do it. you are sitting right in that seat, right there. you are graduating. feel it. this represents one of the most significant moments of transition in your life, so sit on the edge of your seat. you are about to come up here, walk across this stage, and into the world, and, boy, do we need you. thank you, and congratulations. [applause] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] >> you are watching c-span. here is what is ahead.

next, the ceo of jpmorgan chase jamie dimon. after that, actress meryl streep with your address at barnard college -- with the address. and then, president obama and vice-president biden with memorial day. and the brookings institution is asking a question tomorrow in a forum that will look at current challenges to good governance and will also talk about ways to strengthen democracy. this gets underway on c-span2. and campaign 2010 is heating up. tomorrow, live coverage among the republican candidates. we will have that for use starting at 7:00 p.m. eastern here on c-span.

>> before you is an evolution of the agreements that go back to the 1970's and particularly the series of agreements that was started in the reagan administration and then continued in some form in every subsequent administration. >> watch the moments that make history, right now, online, at the c-span video library. it is washington your way, every program since 1987, available free, on-line. >> jamey diamonmon, the ceo of jpmorgan chase talks about his experience of being fired at citigroup in 1998. from syracuse, new york, this is about 15 minutes.

what's the chancellor, the board of trustees, the syracuse faculties -- that chancellor -- >> the chancellor, the board of trustees, the syracuse faculty is, the graduating class of 2010, -- syracuse faculty is -- faculties. graduating today means you are through final exams, through submitting term papers, all of that nervous is, the cold sweats, the sleepless nights, -- all of that nervousness. that is a feeling we banking executives know these days. we call it testify before congress. i am honored to be here today, but i also know that some of your fellow students have raised questions about me being your commencement speaker. when i heard about these protests, i wanted to understand what was behind them, so i had a

good conversation with someone. i am sure she is here somewhere. i heard her concerns about me and the nation's banking system and about capitalism itself, and some i thought were legitimate. others, i disagree with, but whether i agree with her or not, i say, "good for her." i am proud of her for speaking up. in fact, it is completely appropriate to hold me accountable for those things i am responsible for. we should all be held accountable, but what does it mean to hold someone accountable, and how do you make yourself accountable? today, i will talk about what it takes to be accountable in the hope that it might be of some value to you in the years to come. i want to point out that i am sure in my voice this year -- in sharing my court korea my views with you does not imply that i did everything right -- and

sharing my views with you does not mean i implied that i did everything right. the roc this crisis, i have seen many people embarrass themselves -- throughout this crisis by acting like lemons by simply going along with the pact. i also saw people under enormous pressure always did the right thing. graduates, you will soon leave this wonderful community and venture into a new world to get ready for new jobs, new opportunities, and this korea along the way, you are going to face a lot of pressure, -- new opportunities, and along the way, you are going to face a lot of pressure, pressure is to do things simply because everyone else is doing them -- pressure to do things simply. do not be somebody's lap dog. have the courage to speak the

truth, even when it is unpopular, and have the courage to put yourself on the line, strive for something meaningful, and even to risk what may be an embarrassing failure. i think teddy roosevelt understood this nearly a century ago when he said, and i quote, "it is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or how to do more of deeds could have done it better. the credit belongs to the win -- and now the woman -- who is actually in the korea, whose face is marred by blood and sweat, -- who is actually in the arena, because there is no effort without erring and shortcoming, spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the wars, if he fails, at least fails

while daring greatly -- who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly." [applause] thank you. it takes knowledge to be accountable. having the ability to speak up is important, but it is not sufficient. if you have the guts to take a stand, what you think is a principled stand, then have the brains to based on facts and analysis and critical thinking. in some places, it is always clear what the right thing to do is, where in many other situations, it is much more complex. there is a temptation to come up with simple and pioneer in answers, especially when this could not possibly apply -- simple and by mary answers. be as simple as possible, but no simpler -- simple and by mary --

binary answers. it should never end. you will learn by reading, and read everything that you get your hands on and by talking to and watching other people, and you especially learn by listening to arguments on the other side. it is your job to constantly learn and develop informed decisions and opinions as you move forward in your lives. there are some very important people out there, and reading their views and analysis will help educate you. if you think you are a socialist, read milton friedman, a famous capitalist. if you're a capitalist, we karl marx. if you think you are a republican, listen to the democrats, and vice versa. do not object all out of hand and be willing to change your mind. do not fall into the trap of being rigid and simplistic. it is ok for us at times to blame and be dissatisfied with others and to hold them responsible, but it is not ok to

oversimplify it paint everyone it should not be acceptable to denigrate entire groups. not all companies, not all c.e.o.'s, not all media,,not all students. among these groups, there are some terrific people, and among those groups, there are some terrible people. to categorically judge them as equal is just ignorance, and it is not fair. it is not just korea is just plain wrong. -- it is not just unfair. it is plain wrong. [applause] one must be accountable to oneself. shakespeare said it. "to thine own self be true proprietor -- be true. if i want to know all about you,

all i need to do is talk to your teachers, your friends, your colleagues, your fellow students, and your parents. i would know if you are trustworthy, hard-working, empathetic, ethical, and deliver on your commitments or if you are lazy, willing to let people down. it is up to you to determine how you want to that book to be written. it is a choice. do not let others write ity got you -- it for you. if you want to be a winner, then compare yourself to the best and the knowledge that it will never happen without hard work abe lincoln once said, "good things may come to those who wage, but there are those who hustle." if you want to be a leader, act like a leader. if you want to be trusted, then demonstrate it by earning every day. if you want to be known as

honest, i do not even shade the truth, and make sure your friends and colleagues will always bring you back to earth, let's all do at times, when you are deceiving yourself. -- like we all do at times. it takes knowing had to deal with failure to be accountable. the world is complex and challenging, and yet, the economy is getting better, but you're still entering the job market at a tough time, but, in fact, throughout your life, you're going to have to face tough times and failure both personally and professionally, which some of you already have, but how you deal with failure may be the most important thing in whether you succeed, and some of the greatest people of all times, and i am thinking of nelson mandela and indira gandhi and abraham lincoln and others, who faced enormous setbacks and persevere all amid seemingly impossible odds. as you all know, we have gone through the worst financial crisis since the depression, and

there were mistakes ron by those who helped bring on the crisis. there were those who actually acknowledged the mistakes, and it is true that many in the crisis denied any responsibility. but in this crisis, there are many who take responsibility and do something about it. at the darkest moments, when it seemed like a whole system was unraveling, that is when men and women in my company and other companies around the world took extraordinary action korea they did not want or complain. when they got knocked down, they got up and tried to do something about it. they worked for days and weeks on end, sacrificing time with family and friends, to try to contain the crisis, all the while know they may fail. they were not doing it for money or to score points. they understood that the well- being of millions of people depending on getting the situation under control. they did not lose their nerve

when things seemed bleak. they showed the fortitude that is necessary to handle a tough situation and to deal with setbacks. this was a lesson i had to learn in my own professional life. before i became the ceo of jpmorgan chase, as president of citigroup -- i just want to mention, that was 10 years ago -- and one day, i went to work and was very surprised to have been fired by the man i had been working with for over 15 years. i remember coming home to try to explain to my wife and my three young daughters, and my wife and one of my daughters is here today. they were in naturally scared for our family. my youngest daughter was 8 at the time. she is here today. she asked, "dad, will we be able to keep our house? will we have to live in the st.?" i said, "of course not, darling." my middle daughter who had always looked forward to going to college said, "dad, but i

still be able to go to college?" and i said, "of course, darling." and my oldest daughter talked about the cell phone. some make no mistakes. setbacks will happen. when they do, it is ok to get depressed, blame others, for a while. a ventura, you have got to get up, dust yourself off, learn from it, and move on. [applause] it takes humility to be accountable. we all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. humility is the realization that as you came before paved the way. never fully yourself into thinking that your success is yours alone. your success is the result of your parents -- never fuool

yourself. there are those who encourage you. in fact, this country was built by so many people who make endless sacrifices before most of us were even born. it is important to respect what they have done and be grateful for it. [applause] but we also need to have the strength of character to hold ourselves accountable. as graduates of this world class university, you'll be contributing to the lives of other. you may go on to become a leader. that is a time it becomes about

them and not about you. leadership itself is an honor, a privilege, and it carries a deep obligation. the rat your lives, you will need people who are not smart, talented, as skilled as you. they may not have had all of the benefits that you have had, but many are doing the best they could possibly do, and they take great pride in doing their part well. being accountable to them means treating them all with the respect they reserve -- deserve, whether a ceo or a clerk. it requires grace and generosity of spirit. [applause] and to great compassion. to me, this is the highest form of accountability. success depends on it. in the words of a poem by rudyard kipling, if you can keep your head without them losing theirs and blaming it on you, if you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, nor lose the

common touch, you lose the earth and everything in it. and so, it takes courage common knowledge, a strong sense of self, a capacity to overcome failure, and a healthy amount of humility. these qualities are the heart of the success as a nation. i want to keep one concluding thought in mind. this is not a god-given right. america's success. it is something that we all must work hard to achieve. if you have studied history, you will see nations and empires rise and fall. the united states and the world has faced many challenges, some far tougher than the ones we face today, and i am confident that we will recover in the short run, but in the long run, and you, the next generation, must continue to call the challenges we face. we must confront our health and education systems. it should not be acceptable that

in the united states of america only 50% of inner-city school kids graduate high school. [applause] we must develop a real, substantive energy and environmental policy. we have had three major energy crises. it is not acceptable to have a fourth. we must build the infrastructure of the future. as a nation, we must continue to welcome the best and brightest from around the world to our nation. these are all serious issues, but if we work together, we can fix them. you'll have the ability to carry the responsibilities you face in life. and so many ways, all of us in this stadium are truly blessed. we are lucky to live in this country and to have the opportunities we have been given, but that brings obligations. as you go about your life, remember your country. regardless of what you do and what you achieved an live, tried

to leave everything and everybody that you touch of a better than they were before. continue to be true to yourself and your values, the resilience, be honest, the humble, never stop holding ourselves accountable, and you'll not only have the kind of life you wish and deserve, you will also do your part to make this country and abroad a better place for generations to come. to the class of 2010, congratulations, good luck, and godspeed. thank you. [applause] >> up next on c-span, actress meryl streep with your address at barnard college.

then, president obama and vice- president biden paid respects to the fallen on memorial day, and later, the ceremony from the vietnam veterans memorial. join us tomorrow when washington journal welcomes the former policy coordinator, wendy sherman. then, todd tucker and danielle griswold. then, the executive director of an institute joins us. "washington journal" starts its 7:00 a.m. eastern. also tomorrow, a look at the gulf of mexico oil spill. this is inside new orleans. our coverage gets underway on c- span2. is government broken?

the brookings institution has a panel. this is a look at the challenges to good government, and it also talk about ways to strengthen democracy. this gets underway 1:00 p.m. eastern here on c-span. meryl streep addresses students of barnard college. she talks about her background and career. from new york city, this is one half hour. [applause] >> dry mouth. wow. thank you, all. thank you, president, president tillman, members of the board of trustees, a distinguished faculty, proud, swelling parents

and family, and gorges class of 2010. -- gorgeous class. if you are all really, really lucky, and if you continue to work super hard, and you remember your thank-you notes and everybody's name, and you follow through on every task that is asked of view and also some hal anticipate problems before they even rise, and you somehow sidestepped disaster and score big, if you get a great test scores on your lsats or mastas or ersats or whatever, and you get your dream job or dream grad school or internships

which leads to a super job with a paycheck commensurate with responsibilities of leadership, where i somehow get that documentary on a shoestring budget, and it's accepted at sundance, and maybe an winds sundance, and then you go on to be nominated for an oscar, and then you win the oscar, or if that money-making website that you designed with your friends somehow suddenly attracts investors and advertisers and becomes the go-to site for whatever is you are selling, blogging, sharing, or net casting, and success, shining, hoped for but never really anticipated success comes your way, i guarantee you, someone you know or love will come to you and say, "will be addressed the graduates at my college?" [laughter]

[cheers and applause] and usa, "yes, sure. when is it?" may 2010. may 2010? yes, sure, that is months away, and then, the nightmare begins, the nightmare we have all have, and i want to assure you, you will continue to have even after graduation, 40 years after graduation. about a week before the due date, you wake up in the middle of the night, "oh, i have a paper due, and i have not done the reading. oh, my god!" if you have been touched by the success very, people think you

know why. [laughter] it is true. people think success breeds enlightenment, and you are duty bound to spread it around like a new work, reallymanure, -- manure, really, fertilize those young minds, let them know in on the secret what it is that you know that no one else knows. the self examination begins. one looks inward. one opens an interior door. cobwebs. [laughter] black. the light bulbs burn out, the hairless danks refrigerator of an unseemly over schedules, unexamined life that usually gets taken out. where is my writer friend, anna quindlen when i need her?

on another book tour. hello, and meryl streep. -- i am meryl streep. [laughter] [applause] and today, class of 2010, i am really, i am very honored and humbled to be asked to pass on tips and inspiration to you for achieving success in this next part of your lives. president spar, when i consider the other distinguished medal recipients and venerable board of trustees, the many accomplished faculty and family members, people who have actually done things, produced things, while i have pretended to do things, i can think of about 3800 people who should of been on this list before me, and and, you know, mize success has depended solely on putting

things over on people. [laughter] so i am not sure the parents think i am that great of a role model anyway. [laughter] i am, however, an expert in pretending to be an expert in various areas, so, just randomly, like everything else in this speech, i am, or i was, an expert in kissing on stage and on screen. [cheers and applause] how did i prepare for this? well, most of my preparation took place at my suburban high school or rather behind my suburban high school in new jersey. one is obliged to do a great deal of kissing in my line of work. they're kissing, as kissing,

kissing up, and, of course, actual kissing. much like hookers, actors have to do it with people we may not like or even know. we may have to do it with friends, which is, believe it or not, particularly awkward, for people of my generation. it is awkward. my other areas of faux expertise, river rafting, mining the fx of radiation poisoning, which shoes go with which bag, a coffee plantation, turkish, poland, german, french, italian, that's iowa-italian, from the bridges of madison county, a bit of the bronx, aramaic, yiddish,

irish clogged dancing, cooking, singing, riding horses, nick takoma playing the violin, and simulating steamy sexual encounters. these are some of the areas in which i have pretended quite professionally to be successful, or the other way around korean as have many women here, i am sure. women, i feel i can say this authoritatively, especially at barnard, where they cannot hear us. what am i talking about? they professionally cannot hear us. women are better at acting than men. why? because we have to be. it successfully convincing someone bigger than you are of something he does not want to know is a survival skill, this

is how women have survived through the millennium. pretending it's not just play. bartending is imagined possibility. -- pretending is not just play. pretending or acting is a very valuable light skill, and we all do it, all of the time. we do not want to be caught doing it, but nonetheless, it is part of the adaptation of our species. we change who we are to fit the exigencies of our time, and not just dirty degree or to our own advantage. sometimes sympathetically, without even knowing it for the betterment of the whole group. i remember very clearly my own first conscious attempt at acting. i was 6, placing my mother's

half slip over my head in preparation to play the virgin mary in our living room. [laughter] as i swaddled my betsey wetsy doll, i felt quieted, holy, actually, in my transfigured face and very change demeter captured on super 8 by my dad pulled my little brother harry to play joseph and dana, too, a barnyard animal, into the trance. they were actually pulled into his native a scene by the intensity of my focus. in my usual technique for getting them to do what i want, yelling at them with never have achieved that, and i learned something on that day. later, when i was 9, i remember taking my mother's eyebrow

pencil and carefully drawing lines all over my face, replicating wrinkles that i had memorized on the face of my grandmother, whom i adored, and i made my mother take my picture, and i looked at it now, whereas i look like myself now, it was my grandmother then, but i really do remember in my bones how it was possible on that day to feel her age. i stooped. i felt weighted down but cheerful, you know, i felt like her. empathy is at the heart of the actor's art. and in high school, another form of acting took hold of me. i wanted to learn how to be appealing, so i studied the character i imagined i wanted to

be, that of the generically pretty high school girl. i researched her deeply. that is to say, shallowly, in "vogel, -- in "vogue," "seventeen," but i saw in those pages -- ia and apple today, period. i peroxided my hair, -- i ate an apple a day, period. i ironed it straight. i demanded brand-name closing. my mother shot me down on that one. but i did, i worked harder on this characterization really than anyone i think i've ever

done since. i worked on my giggle. i liken it. because i thought it sounded childlike and kind of cute. this was all about appealing to boys, and that the same time being accepted by the girls, a very tricky negotiations. often, success in one area precludes succeeding in the other. and along with all of my exterior choices, i worked on what actors call my interior adjustment. i adjusted my natural temperament, which tended to be -- tends to be slightly bossy, a little opinionated, loud, a little loud, full of pronouncements and high spirits, and i will fully cultivated softness, agreeableness, a

breezy natural sort of sweetness, even a shyness, if you will, which was very, very, very, very, very effective on the boys. but the girls did not buy it. they did not like me. they sifted out, the acting. and they were probably right, but i was committed. this was absolutely not a cynical exercise. this was a vestigial survival courtships skill i was developing -- courtship skill i was developing. and i reached a point my senior year when my adjustment felt like me. i actually convinced myself that this person was mate n she may, pretty, talented, but not stack up, you know, a girl

laughed a lot at every stupid thing every boy said, and who low-rise at the right moment and deferred, who learned to defer when the boys took over the conversation. i really remember this so clearly, and i could tell it was working. i was much less annoying to the guys that i had been. they like me better, and i like to that. this was conscious, but it was at the same time motivated and fully felt this was real, real acting. i got to vassar, which, 43 years ago, was a single-sex institution, like all colleges in what they called the seven sisters, the female ivy league, and i made some very quick but lifelong and challenging friends, and with their help

outside of any competition for boys, my brain woke up. [laughter] [cheers and applause] i got up, and i got outside myself, and i found myself again. i did not have to pretend. i could be goofy, the heated, aggressive, and slovenly, and open and funny and tough, and my friends let me. i did not wash my hair for three weeks once. they accepted me like the velveteen rabbit. i became real instead of an imaginary stuffed bunny, but i stockpile that character from high-school, and agreed life in jürgen some years later as linda in "the deer hunter."

there is probably not one of the graduates who saw this film, but it won best picture in 1978. robert deniro, chris walken, not funny and all, and i played linda, a small-town girl from a working-class background, a lovely, quiet, hapless girl, who waited for the boy she loves to come back from the war in vietnam. often, men my age, president clinton, by the way, when i met him, said, "men my age mention that character as their favorite of all of the women i have played." [laughter] and i have my own secret understanding about why that is, and it confirms every decision i made in high school.

this is not to denigrate that girl, by the way, or the men who are drawn to occur in any way, because she is still part of me, and i am part of her. she was not acting, but she was just being in a way that cowed girls, submissive girls, beaten up girls with very few ways out have been paid forever and still do in many worlds. -- have behaved. now, as a measure of how the world has changed, the character most mention as their favorite. miranda priestley. the beleaguered it totalitarian at the head of "runway" magazine in "devil wears producada."

to my mind, this represents such an off -- optimistic shift. they relate to miranda. they wanted to date linda. they felt sorry for linda, but they feel like miranda. they can relate to her issues, standards she sets for herself and others, the fecklessness of leadership position. the "nobody understands me" thing. the loneliness. they stand outside one character, and a pity her, and the kind of fall in love with her, but they look to the eyes of this other character. this is a huge deal, because as people in the movie business know, the absolute hardest thing in the whole world is to persuade a straight male audience to identify with a woman protagonist, to feel themselves embodied by her. this more than any other factor explains why we get the movies we get and the paucity of roles where women drive the film. it is much easier for the female

audience, because we all brought up identifying with male characters, from shakespeare to salinger. we have less trouble following hamlet's dilemma of the surry viscerally -- hamlet's dilemma of a surly or romeo's or tybalt ioor huck finn or peter pan, and i remember holding that sort up to cook. i felt like him. but it is much, much, much harder for heterosexual boys to identify with juliet or desdemona, wendy in "peter pan,"

or joe in "little women." or "the little mermaid" org "pocahontas." -- or pocahontas. what, i do not know, but it just is. there is always been a resistance to imaginatively assume a persona, if that persona is a shee. but things are changing now, and is in your generation we are seeing this. men are adapting, about time. they are adapting consciously and also without consciously realizing it for the better of the whole group. they are changing their deepest prejudices to regard as normal the things that their fathers would have found very, very difficult, and their grandfathers would have abhorred, and the door to this emotional shift is embassy. as jung said, "pay attention to

the cracks, because that is where the light gets in" -- as leonard cohen says. you, young women of barnard have not had to squeeze yourself into the corsa of being a cute or tomorrow for your opinions, but you have not left campus yet. i am just kidding. what you have had the privilege of a very specific education. your people may be able to draw on a completely different perspective to imagine a a different possibility than women and men who went to co-ed schools. how this difference is going to serve you, is hard to quantify now. it may take you 40 years, like it did me, to look back and analyze your advantage, but,

today is about looking forward into a world where so-called women's issues, human issues of gender inequality law at the crux of global problems from poverty to the aids crisis to the rise in violent fundamentalist juntas, human trafficking and human rights abuses, and you're going to have the opportunity and the obligation by virtue of your providence to speed progress in all those areas. and this is a place where even though the need is very great, the news is, too. this time, -- this is your time, and it feels normal to you, but, really, there is no normal. there is only change, and resistant to it -- resistance to it and then more change. never before in the history of

our country have most of the advanced degrees awarded to women, but now, they are. since the dawn of man, it is hardly more than 100 years since we are even allowed into these buildings except to clean them, but soon, most of the law and medical degrees will possibly it probably also go to women. around the world, poor women now own property used to be properly, and according to "economist" magazine, for the last two decades, the increase of female employment in the rich world has been the main driving force of growth. those women have contributed more to global gdp growth that have either new technology or the new giants india or china. cracks in the ceiling. cracks in the door. cracks in the court and on the senate floor.

[laughter] you know, i gave a speech at vassar 27 years ago. it was a really big hit. everybody loved it, really. tom brokaw said it was the very best convention speech he had ever heard, and, of course, i believe to this. and, you know, it was much, much easier to construct than this one. it came out pretty easily because back then, i knew so much. [laughter] i was a new mother. i had two -- i had two academy awards, and it was all, you know, coming together so nicely. i was smart, and i understood boilerplate and what sounded good, and because i had been on the squad in high school,

earnest, full throated cheerleading was my specialty, said that is what i did, but, now, i feel like i know about 1/16th of what that young women do. -- knew. things do not seem as certain today. now, i am 60. i have four adult children who are all facing the same challenges that you are. i am more sanguine about all of the things that i still do not know, and i am still curious about. what i do know about success, fame, celebrity, that would fill another speech. how it separates you from your friends, from reality, from proportion, your own sweet anonymity, a treasured you do not even know you have until it is gone, how it makes things

tough for your family and whether being famous matters is really one bit, in the end, in the whole flocks of time. i knew i was invited here because of that. how famous i am. and how many awards i have one, and while i am, i am overweening lead proud of the work that i have -- believe me, i did not do on my own, i can assure you that awards had very little bearing on my own personal happiness. my own sense of well-being and purpose in the world. that comes from studying the world, feelingly, with empathy and my word. it comes from staying alert and allied and involved in the lives of the people that i love and the people in the wider world

who need my help. no matter what you see or hear me saying when i am on your tv, holding a statuette, and spewing, that is acting. being a celebrity has taught main to hide, but being an actor has opened my soul. being here today has forced me to look around inside there for something useful that i can share with your and i am really grateful that you gave me the chance. you know, you do not have to be famous. you just have to make your mother and father proud of you, and you already have. [applause] bravo to you. congratulations.

[cheers and applause] >> coming up on c-span's, next, president obama and vice- president biden -- coming up on c-span. after that, woodward and bernstein on watergate. is government broken? the brookings institution is hosting a panel discussion tomorrow, asking that question. the forum will look at current challenges to good governance and will also talk about ways to strengthen democracy.

this gets underway live at 1:00 p.m. on c-span2. and campaign 2010 is heating up. tomorrow, live coverage of a debate among republican candidates to be the south carolina governor. we will have that for use starting at 7:00 p.m. eastern, here on c-span. >> new british prime minister and conservative party leader david cameron post's questions from members of the parliament during his first "prime minister's questions," is live from the british house of commons when stay at 10:00 a.m. eastern on c-span. >> president obama was in illinois today, attending a memorial day ceremony. he was about to speak at the abraham national ceremony when a rain canceled the event. the president was able to lay a wreath in honor of servicemen and women who served the

country. ♪ >> present arms. ["taps"] ♪

about face. >> vice-president biden was an arlington national cemetery during the memorial day celebration, honoring those who lost their lives in wars. he was joined by the joint

chiefs chairman admiral mike mullen, and secretary lind. this is just under one hour. ♪

["star-spangled banner" plays]

["taps"] ♪

♪ ♪

♪

[applause]

>> please rise for the invitation and the national anthem. -- and location in -- in vocation and the national anthem. mr. jack met zler,

superintendent, arlington national cemetery. admiral michael mullen, chairman, joint chiefs of staff. the honorable william j. lind the third, the deputy secretary of defense. ladies and gentlemen, the vice president of the united states. ♪

>> will you bell with me and prayer. our gracious father, we ask you to the presence among us as we honor those that have on -- serve their nation honorably without hesitation, with uncommon courage and a love for the nation in the people they serve. thank you for their willingness to fight for freedom, for america, for own, and for family, and for their comrades standing next to them on the battlefield. continue to bless these honorable men and women and was all americans to see sorrow for them. may we never forget those who

fought the good fight and whose names and lives are represented by the over 3000 markers and monuments that surround this to date. comfort those who agree gre --i- greive. in your holy name we pray. >> please join me by a standing in singing our national anthem. ["star spangled banner" playing]

♪ [applause] >> please be seated. ladies and showman, admiral mullen. -- and gentlemen, admiral mullen.

>> good morning, mr. vice president, members of congress, secretary land, distinguished guests, families of our fallen warriors, and fellow americans. every year since civil war reconstruction, americans have set aside this day to pay tribute to service and to sacrifice. no place more than arlington reminds me of what we owe them and their families for what they have given to us. in forests and jungles, beaches and desert, and across these and skies, young americans have fought for each other, for for their families, and fought for us. now they peacefully rest in cemeteries, on march battlefield graves, and in the deepest oceans around the world.

each plot enshrines a unique story and we remember the sacrifice, the humanity, and the service of each name representing. the great world war correspondent never forgot these human stories, particularly of those that the fall and could no longer tell. in the wake of the normandy invasion, he described what remain on the beach where so many gave their lives. he found pacs and sock, bibles and toothbrushes, hand grenades and snapshots of families, back home staring up at him. but the most common but -- i have a town were letters, letters from home waiting to become the letters in return. i believe each story, each letter, each item that they

carried sends a powerful message. it is not about how they died but how they lived and what they cared for. today is a different time. these are different wars. some troops may carry fewer physical keepsakes but they will always carry and cherished the love of their family, the respect of their fellow citizens, and an abiding hope for a safe return. as an army corporal in afghanistan wrote in his final letter to his family, "know that you all are the reason i am here and to give my life for that is nothing to me." here in arlington, folks centuries guard the stories of those who gave their lives, those who willingly sacrificed all. and the stories of courage,

love, and hope will be our continuous renewal as grass comes through the freshly turned soil of section 60. our treasured keepsake will be the lives that we celebrate. every memorial day and every day of the year. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, listen as the m -- as the sea chanters pro-forma open "american anthem." ♪

["american anthem" playing] >> ♪ let them say of mae i was the one who believed in sharing the blessings i received let me know in my heart

when my days are through america, america i gave my best to you each generation from the plane's to distant shore with the guests they were given were determined to leave more about it battles fought together v --aliea -- valiant battles all together acts of conscience fall on alone these are the seeds from

which america has grown let them say of me i was one who believed in sharing the blessings i received let me know in my heart when my days are through america, american i gave my best to you for those who think they have nothing to share the fear in their hearts -- who fear in their hearts there is no hero there know each quite act -- quiet act of dignity

is that which fortifies the soul of a nation that never dies. let them say of me i was one who believed in sharing the blessings i received let me know in my heart when my days are through america, america america, america america, america i gave my best to you ♪

>> ladies and gentlemen, but that is secretary of defense land -- deputy secretary of lin tensed. >> we gather today to honor our fallen in the sacred place. arlington cemetery stands as our nation's greatest symbol of the sacrifices made for our freedom and our way of life. we've carried our fallen heroes to these fields for 146 years.

the rows of marble headstones are a testament to how one generation defends the next. to our nation is built upon unimaginable heroism and sacrifice, and to how the sacrifices stretch from are far fathers to the present day. less visible boohere is the sacrifice made by the families of those we have lost. for every fallen hero late to rest, there is a mother and father who will not see their child through life's milestones. for most, there is a spouse who must live without the partner they chose, and for many there is a child who will not have a parent to guide them. like water splashed by stone,

the sacrifices of war ripple outward. so today we honor not only those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we honor all of those who have shared goals. -- the loss. we affirm the sacred commitment our nation has made to perpetuate its ideals. lincoln at gettysburg asked whether in the nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal can long endure. the answer is all around us. from the former slaves that are here to the soldiers from the civil war to the children of european immigrants which once freed europe, to our brothers that fought and died and korea, vietnam, these grounds record not only that freedom and liberty have endured but that

they have flourished. those who sleep in arlington's new section are from every race and every creed. their graves are topped by a cross, the crescent moon and star, the star of david. to wall from lee's mansion to arlington's freshly dug grave is to see in these grounds an important truth take root. that truth is this -- are all here themselves reflect the more perfect union they died to defend. in arlington like no worlds, we conceived freedom blossom -- like nowhere else, we can see freedom blossom. it is my privilege to introduce the next speaker. i want to say and no gratitude to his wife, dr. joe biden, who

is doing so much to help our military families. it is an honor to introduce a man who knows both service and sacrifice, the vice president of the united states. [applause] >> thank you all very, very much. says deputy secretary lind, thank you very much. admiral mullen, we have gotten to know one another. this is the greatest honor of my public life that has ever been given to me, having an opportunity to address all of you on memorial day on this hallowed ground. and superintendent metzler,

thank you for your care and attention to these hallowed grounds. and thank you to the guard that stands watch over those souls that gave their lives for us. and thanks to the service member all across america to ensure that on this day those who served under our flag have the flag standing proudly before their headstone, a declaration worthy of their dignity. collectively, the generation of service members to a sacrifice for us are the heart and soul, and i would say, spine of this nation. and today we pause today to remember them. they gave their lives of filling their oath to this nation and to us.

and in doing so, they imparted the responsibility on us to recognize, respect, to honor, and to care for those who risked their lives so that we can live our life. moments ago, i had the distinct honor and high privilege of laying the wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldiers. this morning, i welcomed into the white house the gold star families to know all too well -- who know all too well the price of their loved ones patriotism. i met the current president of gold star mothers who lost her son christopher on the first night of major operations in afghanistan, in october 2001. the mother who played a pivotal role in early stages of the

vietnam veterans memorial and unveiled the first panel. terry davis, the remarkable champion of gold star families. terry as a goldstar sister, a goldstar white, and the gold star mothers. none should be asked to sacrifice that much. and i also met the parents, the brother, and the beautiful widow when i attended the memorial service at fort hood in washington state. john served in the striker brigade that was among the hardest hit in afghanistan. he left behind all white, two young sons, and a daughter who he never got to meet, who i hope will grow up with the pride in her father filling the void left

by his loss. each of the gold star families embodies the words of john milton, those also serve who only stand and wait. many of you in this at a theater today have stood and waited, will leave as jill and i were at the return of a loved one, in our case, our son, from a year in iraq. many of you are now waiting for family members still overseas, many in harm's way. and some of you have stood and waited for loved ones that did not return. and live now with the knowledge that you will one day be reunited with them with our heavenly father. to those of lost a loved one in the service of our nation, i

recall the famous headstone in ireland. and headstone reads as follows -- death leaves a heartache no one can heal. love leads a memory -- leaves a memory no one can steal. no one can still the memory from you. i can tell you from my own personal experience that eventually the pain and heartache you now feel will eventually, coddling, be replaced by the joyful memory of the son or daughter, husband, wife, father, mother that you loved so dearly and lost. gillan my prayer for you is that it that day will come sooner rather than later, but it will come, i promise you. today is a day were sro mixes

with incredible pride -- where sorrow mixes with incredible pride. we take great pride in the light that they lived and the service that they provided. the nation they created, saved, and strengthened. earlier this month, stephen was kind enough to send my wife some of his speeches when we were elected. he won two silver stars and other metals all in vietnam. he spoke at the dedication of a purple heart memorial in buffalo, new york. he said, and i quote, "most people think the battlefield -- think of the battlefield as a place of hate, fear, an anger. when you have bought and you have bled and you have

survived, you recognize it is something entirely different. hatred would hardly be enough to make a soldier leave a safe position to rescue a buddy. there would never make one share the last sip of water with nine comrades. and anger whenever motivate a nurse to stand tall in the bloody operating room for half a day or longer to put a soldier or marine back together. no, only love can motivate that kind of heroism. only love can trigger that kind of courage. komen love onl -- only love. that is why we are here today, to honor the families to share

that love it even more deeply. has the look of the headstones and gave their lives to win our independence, to save our nation, to save our union, to defend against fascism and communism, i wonder -- i wonder what they would think of this nation and this world today. i wonder what they would think of this new generation of warriors. for the forces of globalization have made the world across which they must fight much smaller, and as the world around us shrinks, it means trouble half way around the globe can and will visit us, no matter how high our walls or how wide our motion. our men and women in uniform know full well that this crop -- the promise and peril this time have never been greater.

the threat to american security are more widespread geographically than ever before. and the spread of weapons of mass destruction, disease, economic dislocation are growing between the rich and poor, causes of animosity and failed states, the challenges to freedom and security in the face of radical fundamentalism. this new generation of lawyers stand watch protecting america's interest against all of these new threats. and they will take and it has taken equally great sacrifices as those of gone from them. from fallujah to marcja, from helmont to anbar, our nation has lost 4391 servicemen and women

and operation iraqi freedom. 1074 in operation in during freedom and in afghanistan. they were the best of us. they were our blood. there were bonaparte bone, blood of our blown, they were our treasure. the force of arms that won our independence and throughout our history has been the force of arms that has protected our freedoms. that will not change. nor will our sacred obligation, the only obligation that government has that is truly sacred, are sacred obligation to provide these warriors with everything they need to complete these mission and everything that they need, and i might add, deserve when they come home. [applause]

these new warriors are a special breed. they are warriors but they're bright, educated, and committed like those who have gone before. they understand that the example of our power must be matched by the power of our example. and we owe it to them to capture the totality of american strength. all of you know our strength lies in our values. that is what brought everyone of the men and women in this hallowed cemetery to ultimately give their lives, all holding our values, and in upholding our values we're made stronger. the objective of our new enemy is to change what we value, to

change how we live our lives, change what it means to be an american. it has been my honor over the last two decades to visit our troops from bosnia to close above, from iraq to afghanistan, from six young warriors from a day's high in the mountains here in northeast afghanistan to a crowded mess hall in camp liberty in iraq. and every time -- every time i can say without fear of contradiction, i come away impressed with the intelligence, but wrecked, the resolve, and the patriotism the -- the grit, the result, and the patriotism of these young men and women. this is the finest generation this nation has produced, period. [applause]

adif anyone has any doubt about that, they should have been with me three days ago when that conviction was reinforced when i have a great privilege and honor of addressing this year's graduating class at the naval academy. as part of that service, there was an award given to a young marine showing qualities that will make him a future leader of the marine corps. the award was made four marines -- was made for a major who was captured and echo company during operation vigilant result in 2004. because of his heroism in the early ground assault, he became known as the lineup fallujah -- the lion of fallujah. three months ago, he was shot

and killed in his fourth toward. silver star, bronze star, two purple hearts, doug was a warrior. a warrior of whom this nation can be proud. majoraembek is buried just down the hill from here in section 60. when he was laid to rest, his best friend read from his personal notebook in which the major wrote these words encapsulating his philosophy. he says, "p.m. and a principal, fight for what you believe then, keep your word, be brave, believe in something bigger than yourself, serve your country, teacher, mentor, give something

back to society, lead from the front, and, for your fears." these words in my view convey the character and purpose of all of those who we remember today. they lived with integrity, they served nobly, they gave everything, they fought for what they believe 1in, and maybe they believed in something bigger than themselves. they believed in all of you. they believed in all of us. and they believed in america. so on this day, this solemn day, let us strive once again to be individuals in the nation worthy of that belief. may god bless you .

god made protect our troops, and may he keep the memory of all -- all those who died so that we may live. crithank you. >> ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the playing of "taps"and the benediction. ["taps" playing]

>> received a benediction. our dear god, before we leave here today, we ask that you bless us, our families, our comrades, and our leaders, and our country. keep is ever mindful of the principles of freedom, liberty,

and justice which has been our nation's heritage. let us not forget those who fought and suffered and died that our way of life might long endure. for those who continue to serve, thank you for their dedication. but there continuous service today as well as their families and a grateful nation. now bring us together in the future in peace, protect those serving on the field of battle this very moment, and continue to be a strength for the family and loved ones of those deployed. in your holy name we do pray. amen. >> ladies and gentlemen, please remain in place until the vice president has departed and the company has -- and the colors have retired.

♪ [military march playing]

i'

>> coming up next, the ceremony from the vietnam veterans memorial. then bob woodward and carl bernstein discuss water great. and then commencement speeches -- discuss watergate. join us tomorrow when a "washington journal" welcomes when the sherman -- wendy sherman. and the executive director of the american bankruptcy institute joins us. washington journal is live tomorrow and every day starting at 7:00 a.m. eastern here on c- span.

also tomorrow, a look at the state of new orleans in the wake of the gulf of mexico oil spill. we will simulcast inside whirlwinds -- in new orleans. our coverage it's one way at 1:00 p.m. on c-span2. his government broken? the brookings institution host of panel tomorrow looking at good governance and talk about ways to strengthen democracy. this gets underway live at 1:00 p.m. eastern here on c-span. >> c-span -- our public affairs content is available on television, radio, and online. you can also connect with us on twitter, facebook, and youtube. sign up for schedule alert e- mails at c-span.org. >> other memorial day services and the nation's capital included a service at the

vietnam veterans memorial. among those who speak at the event are admiral mike mullen. this ceremony is just under an hour. ♪ [applause] >> excellent. well, one day when she becomes even more thymus, you can say, i saw her alive at the vietnam veterans memorial. such extraordinary talent really makes us all proud and on a great day like this, this is memorial day, it actually began many years ago has warred decoration day, when people would decorate this cultures -- the graves of the soldiers that fought in war, and it gradually became memorial day for all of the nation for war casualties to receive honor and respect and recognition. on a great day, we're here to

welcome you here on behalf of the vietnam veterans memorial fund and the national park service, and we are here especially to day to remember the many thousands and thousands of troops who were in harm's way today in afghanistan and iraq, doing a great job. let's give them all a big hand. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please stand all the color guard will put the colors in place. what they do is that they have had joint service color guard.

>> ladies and gentlemen, an officer will sing the national anthem. >> ♪ oh, 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 thru the perilous fight o'er the ramparts we watched

were so gallantly streaming? and the rocket's 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? [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, we will

be led in the pledge of allegiance by tom tradewell, who served in the army in vietnam, and who was with the engineer company of the light brigade demolition specialist. he won a lot of medals over there. is the national commander of the veterans of foreign wars. we certainly encourage everyone gave a million dollar contribution to help us build the education center which will be across the street here. he is a real live native of milwaukee, wisconsin. does anyone know the brand of motorcycle -- [laughter] harley-davidson is made there. and everyone who knew what he knows, he will lead is now in the pledge of allegiance. >> and so it.

and -- salute. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> please retire the colors. thank you. >> we need to give everyone a nice hand for dressing up in these uniforms. it is a little warm. you can be seated now.

many years ago as a much younger man actually going into vietnam, in my first three days there, i could not believe the oppressive heat and humidity of vietnam. that was difficult, but i know that some of these people i have talked to in iraq had actually been put on patrols with 80 pounds and more of equipment with 110, 115 degree heat. we have to fight in places that have of better climate, perhaps. we have introduced everyone for the indication -- invocation, and he has been mobilized from the special robert inv give theocation -- from the special reserves give theinvocation.

>> be assembled at the vietnam veterans memorial to honor those who gave their precious life during and after the vietnam war. we add another six lawyers, lance corporal john granville, lance corporal clayton hough, jr., captain edward miles, sergeant michael morehouse lieutenant colonel william taylor, corporal ronald vivona to those names remembered here. as we honor them, we pray to you to get us the privileges and great responsibility that citizens of these unites up -- as these united states of america. with our hearts and grateful -- in gratitude for nation. our nation continues to heal from the physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds of that war.

may we received your comfort, and weigh me never forget those who gave their lives, and may we as a nation never forget you, our sovereign god, who blesses those who put their trust in you. anddin your precious name will prayamen and amen. >> thank you, chaplain. the national park service and the vietnam veterans memorial fund has been working together to make sure that this site, one of the most visited areas in washington, d.c., continue to offer healing and educational experiences. we are embarking on a couple of preservation projects here. when you have seen or will see, the three servicemen statute. we have work now on an ongoing basis to carefully restored the original powhatan the -- the

original patina. and this plaza will remain open throughout their reservoir -- their restoration. it will take us until august it did this. we will probably start tomorrow. they guys will look like they are in spacesuits and they will be shooting machines that will take a call or also that we can begin the slow and laborious process to get it looking like it did when it was new. but everyone will be able to see it through the windows. we are repairing the sprinkler system at a wall with the help of the international association of machinists and aerospace workers. we will continue to service the national park service in keeping the grass. take a look at this beautiful blue kentucky grass. this took a lot of work, fertilizer, double seating, aeration, but grass takes work.

but it is absolutely a beautiful job and we will continue because of the help it received from the people who donate to to keep this area looking good. we have 13.5 acres, and at this time is on equal any place on the mall. we're glad to compete to anyone -- with anyone who like to try to do a better job. but we're doing it and not talking about it. we are engaged in the effort to build the education center across the street which will work in synergy with the moral and educate people about the values held by service members all all wars going back to lexington and concord. which occurred ashley in 1775 as opposed to 1776. these are military values of respect, duty, service, integrity, honor,