-- thank you, senator murkowski. you have described herself as a conservative, death-define what that means. -- the fun what that means. -- the fine -- define what that means. >> our founders understood that power is a zero sum game. the problems that we faced stem from a central government that is completely at of control. we have to get back to our moorings. it is a federal system which gives power to the states. we've heard about your marks --

earmarks. we have to get control of our resources. we're at a point where that choice can be made. seize the moment with me. >> thank you. it is time for closing statements. senator lisa murkowski, you will be first. you have one minute. >> this is our opportunity as alaskans to come together and fight for our economy, to fight for good jobs for our families, so that we can remain in the communities that we have grown .p in from whether it is fighting for the struggling southeast's timber community, where i am honored to have received their endorsement, or fighting for our fishing families all up and down the coast, which i am also honored to be endorsed by. whether it is the work to do as the ranking member on the energy

committee to ensure that as a resource-production state, we are strong and firm and we have the jobs that are families need and desire -- this is what i am fighting for. i'm asking you for your support on august 24. >> thank you, mr. who -- senator lisa murkowski. >> i believe in american exceptionalism. i believe that our individual rights come from god. a way to protect those is to limit the federal government. i believe in protecting our southern border. i believe an amnesty is the wrong way to go. i believe in the rights of the unborn. i believe that we should not tell the taxpayer to take up the matter and create a safety net for failing businesses. we are a nation in crisis. the fiscal situation has to be turned around. we ought to limit the federal government according to the

founders' intent. we have the opportunity. we can join with the other states that are sending constitutionalists to congress to bring back rights to the states. it is alaskas destiny to lead america into the future. >> that includes this portion of the program. thank you for joining us. we will be taking a short break. stay with us and join us for more interviews when we return. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] >> in this primary, joan miller -=- joe mill -- joe miller holds a narrow lead over senator lisa murkowski. she vows that she will not can see until the absentee ballots have been counted, which is not expected until august 31 at the earliest.

coming up, a town hall meeting with republican representative phil gingrey of georgia. then, an alaskan senate primary debate with incumbent lisa murkowski and her challenger, joe miller. >> disease and that works -- we provide coverage of politics, public affairs -- the c-span networks -- we provide coverage of politics, public affairs, and nonfiction books. you can find are confident -- find our content any time on line -- online. it is washington on your way. the c-span networks, now available in more than 100 million homes. greeted by cable, provided as a public service. >> now, a town hall meeting with representative phil gingrey, a republican representing georgia's 11th district. he talked about health care,

irrigation, the budget, and partisanship in washington. following his remarks, he takes questions from local residents. this is about one hour, 35 minutes. [applause] >> first of all, let me welcome all of you to our town hall meeting. as you know, this is a little bit unique. i have been doing town hall meetings for eight years now. this is the first time ever that we have had the privilege of having c-span actually televised the entire town hall meeting. from the very start the -- from the opening remarks to the wonderful invocation that my good friend just offered and that overly kind introduction from center bill keefe.

ultimately, what this is all about is me getting to your questions and trying to answer your concerns and it will be televised at some date in the future. i think it will not be months and months, but i think it will be maybe weeks rather than months. we will try to let everyone in the community know so that you can tune in and watched that on c-span. when we are being televised like that, we tend to be a little cautious and careful about each and every word that we under and that sort of thing that -- that we other and that sort of thing. but let's not worry about that. we can exchange ideas and thoughts in the way that we normally do and i think, that way, we will get the most of this opportunity with this live

home town town hall meeting. we also do telephone town hall meetings. maybe some of you have had the opportunity to be on those phone calls and participate in that dialogue of q&a. i do not think that there is anything quite like a live town hall meeting and i am deeply appreciative of the full in the area for being here today. before we get started, i will make some opening remarks and i will tell you something that is special that we are doing for washington. in the republican minority party came up with this idea. it is a non-partisan deal. i want to take just a moment to thank all of the elected officials who are with us today. of course, you have already met

your state senator. the city commissioner is here and jeff ellis is the city manager. the chief of police is here in cedartown. eric mcdonald of the chamber of commerce is here. sandra galloway, the county commissioner and john a. barrett, a city commissioner. please recognize yourself at this time so that we can express our appreciation for you being here. thank you all very much. what i wanted to mention is about this program called america speaking out. some of you may have already

familiarize yourself with this. we do have fliers that we will pass out. you can pick one up on the way out. america speaking out website is www. americaspeakingout.com. had this feeling that maybe some people in this great nation of ours were really frustrated with washington. this is in regard to the approval rating of congress. the majority party and my minority party have approval ratings in the tank. people feel that this top-down approach of washington knowing everything and main street may be does not know as much.

do i need this microphone? is that better? america speaking out gives us an opportunity to get input from you. we will do that today in this live session. as i said at the outset, nothing is more viable than that. the website give you an opportunity, americaspeakingout.com, to log on and see what other people are thinking. some of the ideas that have been suggested for a contract with america. that would be a little redundant going back to 1994, but going through this august recess, we will be in our districts, all

435 members of the house, for the next four weeks. we will be doing town hall meetings and trying to get as much information's as we can. not just from my republican party, but also from independents and democrats. those ideas can be posted on this website. we will then develop a pledge to america in going forward into the 111th congress in january. we will make sure we get this country back on the right track and do what the people want us to do, not what the folks in washington think you want us to do. what i want to describe to you in a slide presentation is this program called america speaking out. we will go ahead and show you a

video clip and then we have a power point presentation and that will be fairly brief. john, let's go ahead and get that started. >> i am what bishop, representing utah's first district. a year ago, americans across the country began speaking out and some of those clips on the internet say that congressman did not like what their constituents have to say. politicians should not hide it from constituents. they should know what matters to the people and they should openly to their business. unfortunately, the current congressional schedule makes it far too easy to hide. here is what i am proposing. first, members in d.c. and the district need to do their job well. right now, that has not happened. the house averages about three

days per working week nbc and the rest is traveling back and forth. this would give more quality time in both places. particularly with the constituents and with the cost of government travel, it would cut in half. members should be present in hearings and on the floor so they can hear debates and make informed decisions. with members expected to be present at each to participate. everything is jumbled together and it forces members to miss a lot. a simple time reform would allow them to be available to you. please share your thoughts right here on americaspeakingout.com to make your members of congress more accountable to you. >> and that is just one excellent idea that my colleague from yukon, who i happen to go into congress with in 2003, i

think it is a fantastic idea. we are in washington all lot. we go back and forth every week , and someone like robert bishop from utah, is a much heavier list to do that than someone like phil gingrey from atlanta. it is much easier for me. we waste so much time in washington. i can see some heads nodding already. you know that we do. there is a lot of that travel time and we would get up there on monday night or tuesday morning and work real hard on tuesday, wednesday and thursday and rushed to the airport and fly home to -- and rushed to the airport -- rush to the airport.

we will then work in the district on monday, but what he was talking about is just staying in washington and some have even suggested staying up there not two weeks that time, but maybe even three and then come home for two. that would be a lot better and we would get a lot more done and the a lot more efficient and cut down on a lot of travel expense. as you know, we were called back to washington since we came home for this august recess and every member that could possibly get back have to go back and lord knows what the expense for that was. this is the kind of thing that we are talking about in regard to america speaking out ideas. we want to hear from you, the people and not just 435 members of the house of representatives. john, let's go ahead and go with the powerpoint.

i am going to go through this pretty quickly. i do not know if anybody can see this too well. i am standing very close to the screen and i cannot see it that well. when you go to that website, americaspeakingout.com, the first page gives you the opportunity to understand how it works. select a category. no. 2, submit an idea. .ote on other people's ideas either thumbs-up or thumbs down whether you like it or do not like it. no. 4 is submit your own idea or request. the last one is a little

gimmicky. quite honestly, the more times you go to americaspeakingout.com and the more times that you input your thoughts, either to comment on somebody else's suggestions or to input one of your own, then you earn points. the people that earn the most points would be a star scout and a light scout and then finally a eagle scout. the idea is to encourage people to go to the website often. the more ideas that we did it and if we compile those to present to the american people, sometime after labor day, the focus will be on what you want and not necessarily what the democratic leadership for the republican leadership will happen to think is the best idea of the day. some of the categories of suggestions -- john, if you'll

tell me those and i will repeat them. >> american prosperity. >> american prosperity. this has to do with fiscal responsibility that people are concerned about in regard to the economy. we have an almost 11% unemployment rate here in northwest georgia. it is about the same for the rest of the country. 16 million people are out of work. we are getting plenty of suggestions under the first two categories. this also includes government spending. what ideas you may have in regards to how we can lower government spending and have a balanced budget and maybe even a balanced budget amendment that is required by the constitution's of almost every

state in this union, including our own state of georgia. we need to do something about a $13 trillion national debt. our national debt is almost 100% of our gross domestic product. we read all the time about the european union that is virtually bankrupt. i think that we are becoming economically like greece. folks are concerned, as they should be. they are concerned about fiscal responsibility for lack of the same. american values is the third choice. there are a lot of things under that category. it is an example of how you feel about the defense of marriage act. what are your thoughts about the decision that the federal judge recently made in regards to the

issue in california where a californian-a group of californians still fairly strongly for a traditional marriage definition and a federal judge has set that aside. what are your feelings about the idea of the federal government and the new health care reform, the possibility at least, of allowing your talks -- your tax dollars being allowed to pay for elective abortions. that is a huge concern as we were debating the merits of this bill and trying to amend it in certain committees. there is a democratic member that is retiring this year. he is from michigan. he is a fine gentleman who stood

very strongly for the sanctity of life and insisted, as the house version of health care reform was being developed, of insisting that the speaker of the house allow him and 40 members of the democratic majority to have an amendment to the bill that passed committee. it would absolutely assure that we continued the tradition of not allowing taxpayer dollars. a lot of people would not be ok with that. i think the congressman for submitting that amendment which did pass in the house of representatives.

when that bill was passed in the senate, it was different and when it meant to the conference committee, essentially, stupack's d to p amendment was taken out of the bill. we felt that was not going to assure us that your tax dollars would not be spent on elective abortions. these are the kind of the issues that you may want to have some input. the fourth item is national security. goodness gracious, as we picked up the newspaper every day or watch the news, what ever your favorite news source might be i know that on sunday, i believe

that was on to "meet the press," they were in afghanistan interviewing the general. he is the combat and command and a four-star general. not only of the united states troops, but international security assistance for switches nato. all of the other countries that have a commitment as well as we do. not to the level that we do, but the general is in charge of all of that. there was a special hour of discussion about the situation in afghanistan and what we need to do going forward. this has been a nine-year venture and the american people are getting weary and getting tired. if you feel as i do, if we are

in it, we are in it to win it. i want to hear from you on that issue. it is very important that you let us know how you feel about that. the last choice was basically an open microphone selection about what you have in mind in regards to what you want congress to do as we go forward. it may not necessarily fit under any of these first four or even neatly into those boxes, but that is sort of what you see when you go to america speaking out, americaspeakingout.com. let's look at the next slide. select a category, suggest an idea, vote on somebody else's idea, off four down, you like it or you do not like. put in your own idea-you like it or you do not like it.

-- you like it or you do not like it. but in your own idea. you will give your name and your rank in your serial number. you can't earn bonus points and get up to eagle scout if you come to the site often enough. john, let's go to the next one. since i cannot read that, i know that you can't. we will skip that. we will see if there is something else. that is what i was talking about in regard to earning points. as you go back, you can see where you have accumulated these points and we know that you have been talking to us and you have been submitting ideas and you are an active participant. the next slide.

that is fine, john. we can go ahead and stop that, now. it is a good time for me to take a little water break. let me just say that there are a lot of things that i am concerned about. i think there are a lot of things that you and other folks across this country have great concerns about. we mentioned some of these categories americaspeakingout.com. i truly believe that it all starts with the concern about our economic situation. not only are we not gaining jobs, but we are losing jobs and that unemployment rate, as i say, in northwest georgia is approaching 11%. some 16 million people are out of work.

despite the fact that in february 2009, we borrowed a hundred $62 billion from china- $862 billion from china. so far, we have not seen much success. all of that money has not been spent, but quite a lot of it has. quite a lot of it has gone to states and helped states balance their budgets. that has been somewhat helpful. there is no question about that. there have been certain projects right here in cedartown, as an example. even when all of that money is spent, 2000 and 11 -- 2011 is right around the corner. what happens when that money goes away and we still have not created private sector jobs.

growing the economy through government jobs that are short term, kind of like census jobs, they go away. we still have a huge problem. we will have a discussion about a double dip recession. i hope that this does not happen. but stay tuned, because, so far, it is pretty scary out there. talking about the national defence issue. we feel that the surge in iraq has been a success. the troops, at the end of august, in large measure, will be coming home. this is something that was negotiated with the sovereign nation of iraq. i think that we refer to that in

military terms as a status of forces agreement. when you are in this nation, you are then there at their invitation. at a snap of a finger, their parliament can't decide that they do not want to there. we can come home tomorrow if that happens. this agreement has been worked out and i think that we have been successful in iraq. it is not a perfect democracy as we know and enjoy here in the united states, but i feel that it has been a success, despite the fact that there will continue to be violence. we are not completely removing our troops. there will be those there to continue to respond. a special forces type troopers and also our men and women that are continuing to train iraqi defense force both military and.

is becoming more challenging there is corruption in the government's and the resurrection of the caliban. does that country, in the southern province, where the initial al qaeda training of the 9/11 terrorist occured, that is where we have huge challenges. i think we have the right person on the ground in our general. i think that obama made the correct decision in making that change. those of you that remember back

when president truman made a similar decision in regards to korea, we can understand what challenges the commander in chief has to protect the nation both internally and externally. the issue of immigration is one that i am sure we will have some discussion on today and i look forward to your questions regarding that. there are 16 million people out of work in this country and there may be 16 million illegal immigrants in this country, including about 450,000 in the state of georgia. we actually have more illegal immigrants in the state of georgia than they have in arizona. i bet that surprises you a little bit. we are the sixth highest state in the nation for the number of illegal immigrants.

there has been some discussion i have been honored and pleased to have the opportunity to appear on msnbc, cnn and fox news recently about the policy that has existed for some time in our country to say that if you are born in the united states, even if your parents are illegal immigrants, even if they slipped in through the southern border for the sole purpose of may be having a child born in this country, a sort of an anchor with automatic citizenship, it would entitle all of them, parents and child, to what ever

this great country has to offer in regards to temporary assistance to needy families. medicaid health care coverage, health care in our emergency rooms despite whether or not someone is here legally or not, education in our public school systems, i can go on and on. that policy is really a misinterpretation. i want to hear from you on the 14th amendment. the 14th amendment was passed when? it was ratified by the states in 1868, shortly after the 13th amendment. it was a couple of years before the 15th amendment. the 13th amendment abolished slavery, thank god. the 15th amendment gave former slaves the right to vote.

they were not property, they were people. with all rights of dignity and respect and liberty and freedom and the 14th amendment granted them citizenship. citizenship for all former slaves. it had nothing to do with immigration. ever no immigration laws in 1868. our first -- there were no immigration laws in 1868. our first immigration laws in 1875. i think that congress should address this. we welcome legal immigrants. our parents and grandparents -- is about the rules law. it is about what this country can afford to do and what is right. i hope that there will be some questions in regard to that.

i promised to that take up all the time, but i wanted to make those remarks to you concerning several issues. now, it is time to turn it over to we the people. i am going to introduce, real butkly, i won't name names, you can see them. andrew has a microphone in the back and janet is our district director has a microphone. we will take you as you raise your hand and try to get to as many questions as we can. we are ready for the first question. >> what we are going to do -- if you can turn the border around, these topics will be put on the america speaking out website.

if you make a comment, please give us your name and they will summarize it and they will be writing that down for you. just raise your hand and we will come to you and we will go that way. >> my name is david miller. it is an honor to be here with you. i am an immigrant. i have only been an american citizen for four years and this is the first time i have participated in something like this for it is a tremendous honor. i have lived in latin america almost all of my life. my parents were missionaries since i was 2 years old. i have been amazed, shocked and horrified at the number of illegal immigrants and that we have here. i just received a letter this morning from americans for legal immigration. this shows that 22 states have

begun making a law trying to back up what arizona is doing. georgia is not one of those. our neighbors are. alabama, florida, tennessee, and there are 22 in all. my question is, why is georgia off the radar in this case? >> david, thank you for your kind words and thank you for your question. georgia, as you know, is not in session. the general assembly's session begins in january and it is a 40 day session. some states actually have longer sessions and some states actually have to separate

suggestions. in regard to your concern that georgia has not done anything, it does not mean that georgia of will not do anything nor does it mean that georgia does not intend to do anything. your state senator is with us and this is something that maybe after we finished the town hall meeting, bill will be kind enough to stay around as i will and we will answer those questions individually in regards to what the general assembly members may have in mind for the return. the former congressman in washington representative nathan deal says that he would be very

much in favor of legislation almost identical to the law that was supposed to go into effect july 29 in arizona before the federal district judge, bulletin i believe it was, put a restraining order on that long going into affect. -- on that law going into affect. i would think that they would probably be in favor of what you appear to be in favor of. i want to make sure that everyone in the room understands that the arizona law is fine. i would be totally opposed to racial profiling, but to basically assist the federal government in doing their job in regard to securing our borders and making folks that are here

illegally go home and come in the right way. come back on a temporary worker program or get in the line. not push their way to the front. we would not like that very much on saturday night at the movie theater if somebody did that. let's have them do with the right way. as i understand the arizona law, it is saying to the federal government that if you do not have the manpower and you do not have the financial resources to enforce federal law, then we will be glad to be your deputy. we will be happy to assist you in doing that. there is a provision in federal law called 287-g. the sheriff in cobb county where i live said that they train their deputy sheriffs in regard to federal law and we will help

you. it has been a tremendous help. thank you very much for your question, david. we will not go to the next question. >> my name is martha mitchell and my question is along those general line spirit of what can washington do to encourage the obama administration to allow arizona to address their problem with illegal immigrants? in the federal government is just ignoring the problem. i think you for -- >> i thank you for your question. we need to be fair. at the federal government is not completely ignoring them. there have been a lot of deportations in the last couple of years. it does not keep up with the number of illegal immigrants that have been coming in on an

annual basis. many are, and -- many are caught and immediately sent back. on an annualized basis, the number has been about 400,000 a year. when president reagan passed in the amnesty bill back in 1986, i believe there were 4 million immigrants that were granted amnesty. unfortunately, not much was done to secure the border, so 400,000 times 24 years leads you to about 24 million. the immigration and customs

enforcement department is doing a good job with the resources that they have. they just cannot keep up with it. we passed a bill only went back to washington that would put an additional 5000 boots on the ground on the southern border and spend more on unmanned aerial vehicles to patrol parts of the border where you literally camped there it is not practical to put up a fence. -- literally can't. it is at not practical to put up a fence. i was a proud co-sponsor of that. there are some things that are being done, but not enough. we put a man on the moon when we have to do it in about seven years because but seven years.

because we have the determination and willpower. -- we put a man on the moon when we had to do it in about seven years. because we had the determination and willpower. we have to do more. >> my name is joseph johnson. being a perspective medical student who is pro-life, one of my chief concerns has to do with the reversal that the obama administration is currently pursuing. can you shed some light on where we currently stand with this issue and what the prognosis is? >> thank you for your question. having practiced medicine for 31 years, 26 as an ob/gyn specialist, i do not know how many children i delivered, and i commend you and wish you the

very best and i would love to sit down and talk to you about the future of medicine. not just that issue, the conscience clause that you brought up, but the effects of patient protection and the act of 2010 as it flew matures if we allow it to fully mature in 2014 or 2016. there are so many provisions in that bill that calls me a lot of heartburn -- that cost me a lot of heartburn. -- cause me a lot of heartburn. if a pharmacist does not want to prescribe a drug that causes and abortion, a so-called medical abortion rather than a surgical procedure, but it accomplishes the same thing.

it aborts an unwanted pregnancy. in fact, not only is it a safety of life issue, but it is dangerous. -- a sanctity of life issue, but it is dangerous. many pharmacists, in good conscience, hear 24 have been allowed to say that they were not going to prescribe that drug. it is available at another pharmacy that is only two blocks from here. the pharmacist is going to release me in six hours, and will be on duty for the next 12. i know that he does filled prescriptions and you can come back-fill those prescriptions,

and you can come back. we do not need a reprisal because some -- because of something they are doing out of conscience. i really appreciate that question. >> can i just say that i told the young man that he was right. i am in my teacher mode today and state employees have gone into furlough days and that hurts. what i am not saying -- seeing is that our congressional leaders are not doing the same thing. i think that you make a lot more money than i do and i would like to see congress and the senate take a furlough day. >> i am waiting for the applause. [applause] >> i knew it was coming and i

did not want to stomp on the applause because i knew it was coming. absolutely, not only congress, because you are only talking about 435 people, but how about the several million federal employees. governors across 49 other states, almost all of which have a constitutional requirement to balance their budget, have had to do this. with these kind of unemployment numbers, the revenue is just not there. whether it is income tax or sales taxes or fees, it is just not there. it has been a tough several years, not only for the state of

georgia but for the country. when teachers are asked to take furlough days, as they have them, and we all know that we have never paid our teachers adequately for what they do for our young people and for the future of this nation, the federal employees should gladly do the same thing. in regard to the decision about furlough days, that would be a decision for the leadership of the house of representatives and the senate would have to make. of course, i am talking about the speaker of the house and the majority leader of the senate. i think it is an excellent idea. i hope he will go to americaspeakingout.com. if it is not already in there,

you put it in and i bet she will get plenty of thumbs-up. by the way, i want you to know that i have always voted to exclude members of the house of representatives from the automatic pay raise the other federal employees get each year based on the cost of living. i am proud to say that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle voted with me the last couple of years. our salary has been basically frozen in congress. i think that what you are talking about is taking it a step further and let us feel the same pain that main street is feeling and that the heartland is feeling. absolutely. >> i came over here to talk about something else, but i want to come back to what he talked

about today. -- what you talked about today. i voted for you before. but every 20 years, people forget about speaking out for america. i think that should be on the same lines. we talk about the iraq war, and yesterday, 60 people got blown up. about the illegals, there were no problems with illegals until the economy turned bad and suddenly it was their fault. i am not for them. i think that arizona is on the right track. the problem is, we have a

product over here. we employ them. the people that employ them are the ones that should get in trouble, not so much the illegals. go back to the 14th amendment. it was put in there to free the slaves. in 1964, they were digging people out of graves because they were afraid to vote. it took 100 years for it to take full effect. the constitution is not a problem. the people or the problem. >> let me try to respond to some

of your comments. you obviously have a pretty broad knowledge on a number of issues. in regard to what we come up with with your suggestions, you say it is just another contract with america and these things are not worth the paper they are printed on if you do not take action on them. the contract with america was about content items. i do not know that we will have that many after we roll this out, but many of those were accomplished and some were not. like a balanced budget amendment. unfortunately, we need it a balanced budget amendment. if we can not hold our feet to the fire, then we need to be

forced to do it. that is what a balanced budget amendment would do for us. your point of being all charged up at first and getting a lot done and then kind of forgetting about it and going back to the sloppy habits of spending and building up a deficit each year, the interest on debt has to be repaid. we borrow that money from countries that could call that debt due anytime 3 would be insolvent. -- any time. we would be insolvent. your point is well made and well received. i think you for that. we will go ahead to the next question. >> my name is larry. if i voted for you as well, and i will do so the next time.

i have a comment and a question. you talked about the lowest in the congress is held by the american people. i happen to be one of those people. i am sick and tired of the ming but -- the name calling and the blame game in washington. my question for you is, when did washington get to the point when being a democrat or republican became more important than being an american. -- being an american? [applause] >> you have got a nice round of applause on your question. i hate all of the partisanship and bickering that goes on. all of the gridlock because

people truly do care and they get the blame. we are not accomplishing as much as we could for the american people. unfortunately, we do not have any ability at the federal level, unless we make some changes and i think we should, to share power. whoever wins a majority, and is up for grabs every two years in the house of representatives and the senate as well. all of the house members stand for reelection every two years and one-third of the senate. if the democrats get 51 senators and republicans have 49, if the republicans 218 house members and the house members of 217, in

the house, the republicans in that situation with a one-vote majority control everything. they elect a speaker. the speaker then decides who will chair each committee. the speaker, in consultation with that chair person will decide each subcommittee chair person and is the same thing in the senate. -- is the same thing in the senate. it would be better if you just sharelook, let's just this proportionately and we will decide with committees minority party can share. but to totally control everything and to have the

ability and forced to totally shut the minority out and not let him be in the room when any legislation is being developed, whether it is a massive energy bill or a massive education reform bill for a massive health care reform bill, as a position , if they are not a part of the majority, it is a issue where you hardly ever see an -- a member of the minority party have the opportunity for an up or down vote. it might not win, but it does not even have the opportunity to be discussed and voted on.

this is why, every two years, it is a virtual bloodbath and certainly, for six months leading up to the election. i am saddened by that. sometimes i think that the parliamentary government such as other countries that are running candidates, it is very hard to get a simple majority and a half to form coalitions to have a working government. they have to work together. you can call for new elections and get rid of them and start over again. larry, i appreciate that point. everybody in the room agrees with you. i hope that we live long enough to see some changes there because i am tired of it as well.

>> congressman, i have a question about the health care legislation. my parents have put in, as seniors, and to social security all their lives. we hear different opinions on how this law is more to affect everyone. president obama spoke this morning in a town hall meeting that he had televised about how people in medicare will benefit from this legislation and then you hear republicans talk about how their benefits are >> could you please give some details? for that question. i, too, saw the president's town hall meeting. it was kind of a nice setting. it was a neat way of doing that. it was in someone's back yard like an afternoon picnic. i think this was coming from ohio.

he was doing these town hall meetings across the nation to talk about -- and naturally he feels very strongly that obamacare -- it was his idea at his signature issue, if he wants to explain it. even though the american people were opposed to it. they were concerned with the federal government taking over, almost a lot of stock and barrel, the health care of this country. when you talk about medicare and medicaid and the children's health insurance program and veterans health care and health care for our military, you can see that it is a huge chunk of the american economy. i think that the american people, and this is just not me

saying this, the people said this. they really do not feel comfortable having the federal government, which runs the post office and amtrak, taking that much control over health care. the sanctity of the doctor patient relationship. this particular point that you make in regard to medicare, if you, to pay for this bill, it would be 1.2 trillion dollars -- $1.20 trillion. that would be in order to provide health coverage for some 15 million people in this country that do not have health insurance.

their income is not low enough that they are melt-eligible for medicaid, and they have not reached that senior citizen status that many of us in this room have. they literally cannot afford to do it as individuals and go out in the marketplace and pay for a monthly premium that could be as much as $800 a month. they cannot afford to do that. the original intent of this bill was to do something to reform the health care system and to bring down the cost. i would suggest to the president that it has been a dismal failure in that regard. it is, in fact, causing an increase in the premiums of the people that are already paying, and their employer that pays a significant part of their premium.

if you take $550 billion out of the medicare program to help pay for this new health care program that does not have anything to do with the health care for our seniors, how in the world can that improve and strengthen medicare and make it better? if i say to you that we're going to cut your income by 12% per year for the next few years, and you will -- you need dr. but not an ob/gyn -- doctor, but not an ob/gyn. i would say to our seniors, a 550 volume -- this 17% cut over the next 10 years -- $120 billion out of the program.

medicare advantage will go away. a 11 million -- maybe 25% of our seniors to get coverage through medicare advantage because they do not have to buy supplemental health policies, as much as $150 per month, annual physicals, fee-for-service -- traditional medicare does not cover that. a lot of screenings are offered under medicare advantage which traditional medicare does not offer. there are other cuts to physician reimbursement, hospital reimbursement, folks that provide medical equipment, durable medical equipment. they are taking deep cuts. even the hospice program is being cut significantly. we all understand the compassionate work of a hospice program for people who are terminally ill.

to care for them in those last six months. to me, it is almost an insult as a medicare participants, because i am past age 60 -- age 65 to get some glossy print out f, telling me how much better my program is going to be because of this cut. this brochure is paid for with my tax dollars it is a bit of an insult. thank you for your question. >> i would like to ask you a question. do you feel that you are dealing -- the republican party or yourself, that we're dealing with the democratic leadership and an administration that has a

political ideology that cares about the well-being of the american people, or do you feel that they are currently trying to break down the constitutional form of government we have an established some type of provincial government under which our rights and liberties would be what they grant? how do you feel? do you stand with the majority or minority of republican people? >> that is a very good question. a sensitive question. it is a little difficult to answer. let me cut to the chase in regard to that. this two-party system that we have -- i mentioned this a little while ago when you raise the question about needing more bipartisanship and less biting and bickering -- fighting and bickering. in the system that we have, i would say the republican party

stands for a more limited federal government, lower taxes, less spending, more powers to the state, if you will -- federalism. the democratic party, in my humble opinion, seems to feel that more federal government is better. you pay for that by raising taxes. that is a big difference between the two parties. if you agree that the federal government should be more in kroll -- more in control of our lives and provide cradle-to- grave protection -- retirement

benefits, whatever program, subsidies for this program and that program. i stand solidly with my republican colleagues in regard to limited government, less spending, more personal responsibility and lead to the federal government that which the states cannot do or which individuals cannot do for themselves. [applause] >> i am with the tea party. it is good to see you again and good to be with you. my question involves the restoration of trust. we have trust in all levels of government at a low ebb.

there is a lot of cynicism. there is a lot of mistrust of government. it is really dangerous in a republic to have this level of mistrust. i want to commend the republican government for the speaking out towards that you are conducting and the effort to develop a new contract. i would suggest that it not be called "a contract" but the combat. it has the meaning of a sacred trust. it means we will stick by it. it is not something with a flowing language, but something that we will actually stand by. how do we restore the public trust? if we do not have trust in our government, we are setting of a

situation where we have anarchy and chaos -- setting up a situation where we have anarchy and chaos. >> i like that suggestion -- "compact." i think that does have the connotation, more so than contract. a compact with america -- i like that. i like the patriots across the country -- not just the tea party, but the spirit of the american people. i love to see people marched o >> i love to see people march on washington, in a respectful way. as they walk across the steppes, going to go to -- steps going to vote, let them know what is on their minds and how they want them to

vote. that makes our country great. they're not shooting each other or throwing things at one another. occasionally an ugly son will come up, but they do not stay up very long -- and ugly sign will come up, but they do not stay up very long. it is the wind beneath our wings that is getting the attention of every elected official, republican, democrat, independentba. in this election cycle, every member is running scared, as well they should. this business of making promises and campaign speeches and learning sound bites -- whether you write them on your hand or you have a card that you can look at. maybe your memory is so good that you have it down pat. if you do not deliver on those

promises -- that is why there is a lack of trust. cynicism, if you will. it is earned and deserved. i think, if my party is privileged to regain the majority -- if we do not deliver on this compact that will come from america speaking out, then we do not deserve the keys to the car, as the president has raised it, and it should be taken away from us and we should never get it back. i should resign before you throw me out of office. >> we have about 15 minutes and a lot of people who want to ask questions. we want to get to as many people as we can. be patient. if you have a question, raise your hand. we will try to get around to you.

>> it is great to be here with you. i do not have a question. it is more of a statement. this is something that i received from my insurance company. the year's renewal rate includes changes to the standard medical plan to ensure compliance with the requirements of the recently-enacted federal health care reform legislation. what that means is that my company -- i am a small businessmen here. i employ about 25 people. i feed 25 families in this town. my rates are going up 27%. the dollar value is more than lastmy company profit was year. my question is, how is a small businessmen to prosper in the face of this legislation? >> that is a good -- an

excellent question. that is really what it is all about in regard to what our priorities should have been -- that is to doing things for small businessmen and businesswomen like yourself and your 25 employees here in georgia. instead, we spent 1 1/2 years trying to, in any way maneuverable -- i do not want to say by hook or by crook, because i do not want to imply any ookedness.-- crop did th there is a way to pass something even when the american people do not want it. i am talking about the process

called "reconciliation." i will not bore you with trying to explain it, because i do not fully understand it myself. i think all of you know that, if you continue to put one burden after another, more rules and regulations that make no sense, on small businessmen and businesswomen, they cannot survive. someone who is maybe out of work and has accumulated $25,000 worth of savings during the time that they were employed -- there are no jobs to be had. they always thought, i have this idea of manufacturing a widget. i have always wanted to go into the restaurant business. i would love to have the opportunity to get together with some good friends and pool our

resources to form a small company. maybe not employ anybody for a couple of years, but just blood, sweat, and tears today are not going to do that and create those jobs, like the 25 that you that greeted -- created. if they see that they have to provide health insurance for the employees at what the government requires -- i cannot offer a health savings account in combination with an insurance policy to cover their health. there is a very low, affordable monthly premium, with a high deductible. it offers catastrophic coverage. they would have production and reimbursement for their healthcare needs.

-- protection and reimbursement for their healthcare needs. it is just one thing after another. it is counterproductive. it is counterintuitive. i agree with you. as i said one 1/2 years ago - 1 1/2 years ago, we can debate this until the cows come home. medical liability reform, fair and balanced, a great idea and a saver of billions of dollars. not allowing health insurance companies to rescind a policy after the fact because of some technicality and putting the burden on an individual. do not think for one minute that because i was opposed to this 2400 page omnibus government takeover of health care that i do not think that we need reform

that will lower the cost and make health insurance more affordable to our employees and our employers. i do. but that is just one aspect. that is where we should have spent all of our time. renewing america, putting people back to work. 16 million people out of work. 40% of them out of work for more than six months. if you said to that 40%, look, your employer is going to rehire you. because of these tough economic times, your salary is not going to be quite as high, maybe 80% of what you used to make, and it will take a year or more before they can provide health insurance, would you take the job back? i will guarantee you every one of them would say give me that job. i will exercise. i would stop smoking. i will lose weight.

i will lay off the booze. i will take care of myself. maybe i will go out and purchase one of these high- deductible, low-premium, catastrophic-coverage policies that i can afford as an individual. that is really what it is all about. >> i, too, congressman have always voted for you. i have more of a comment than a question. however, it seems like when cuts are made, it is always the people or the firm' or the facilities that need it the most -- the firms or the facilities that need it most. it is the working class who gets hit the hardest. my example is my granddaughter.

because her parents choose to work, she is not qualified to get any assistance from the government -- not and that her parents want -- not at her parents want it. she receives a very small check every month which pays for her prescriptions. recently, we were just overcome with paperwork. this was going to be taken away from her. you are talking about $200 per month. these are the people that it always of sex -- the one that need it the most -- always affects -- the ones that need it most. i contacted your office. i want to know you have a bulldog in there, and i wanted to know how much i appreciate her. she did not have to go the

extra mile that she did. genet was also there to help. because of your staff, my granddaughter receives that check -- which would not make or break them. they are middle-class people. i wish she would go back to washington -- you would go back to washington and work for those people -- the ones that keep the wheels moving. we are the spokes that turn those wheels. don't forget us. i will vote for you again. [laughter] [applause] >> thank you so much. if i were a resident here, i would be voting for you as well. i thank you for your kind words and the description of that program. without going into a lot of detail, this is a program where people who, because of their income, make a little bit too much to be eligible for one of

our safety-net programs like medicaid, but they have a situation in their families, like a child was 0 policy -- cerebral palsy that is so costly to take care of. this program is what she was talking about. i understand that program well. let me just say one more thing about our staff. you for yourthank kind words about my staff. i was out there to their farm. she does a great job, as you know. i have a great staff. you know, all 435 members -- republican and democrat -- have

the same kinds of staff, some better than others. that is the reason -- just what you expressed -- why, when you ask somebody what they think of members of congress -- we haven't 11% approval rating, whether we're republicans -- we have an 11% approval rating, whether we are republicans or democrats. it is so much about constituent services and responding to the needs of the people in your community. even when it seems like absolute gridlock and nothing is getting done in washington, this work is going on in the district, on behalf of the constituent. it is the staff. they deserve great credit. i thank you for mentioning them.

>> i vote for you and will continue to do so. i think we all have a lot of concerns about the obama care program. is it constitutional? >> peggy, that is a very timely question. the constitutionality issue is primarily raised in regard to this section of the bill that says, by date certain, 2014, everybody will have to have health insurance. if they do not have health insurance -- not only do they have to have it, but the government will decide what type of policy. it will be first-dollar coverage. many people will not be able to afford that. there are some provisions for

wavering out of that -- waivering out of that. if you cannot get a policy that is less than 10% of your adjusted gross income or something like that, you can get a government waiver. if you do not, and you -- supposedly, according to a government, you're making enough money -- the provision of the law says that if you do not have the two are subject to being fined. -- says that you are subject to being fined. if you do not pay the fine, you're subject to going to jail. president obama has called it a tax, not a fine. he also said nobody making less than $200,000 per year would see a tax increase. we're talking about the people that sandra was just talking about -- middle america, middle-

income people who can least afford that. this challenge to the law, on the basis of its constitutionality, is over that provision. they are saying that the commerce clause of the constitution allows that. the commerce clause is all about the regulation of interstate commerce, is it not? it is not the enforcement of commerce -- to make someone, maybe against their will -- to buy something, to participate in commerce. the constitution does not say that. it regulates interstate commerce. the federal government can set rules and regulations in regards to commerce. this is the constitutionality question that the commonwealth of virginia is challenging.

there are 20 other states which have their own suits. georgia is part of that. quite honestly, i believe that the supreme court will rule that aspect of patient protection affordable care act of 2010 and constitutional. a lot of damage-- could occur before then. >> we have time for three more questions. >> good evening. we spoke this morning on the radio appeared once again, i appreciate you coming down here. i have a comment and a question. a year-and-a-half ago i sat in a senior high school government class where a quarter of the students knew who the vice

president was. a majority knew who the president was. no one knew who the vice president was, the secretary of state. i believe the younger generation has a lack of respect for the united states, a lack of patriotism, a lack of pride for the flag that stands behind you. does washington -- does congress have any sort of idea or plan to get into high schools and colleges to educate young voters? not only do you get into the polls, but when they go, they know what they are voting for, not just to -- who. >> thank you. i enjoyed being on the radio with you guys earlier. thank you for promoting this town hall meeting. i do not think the attendance would be what it is today had he

not help us in that way. we do appreciate it. your point about young people is right on target, unfortunately. in the state of georgia, we require passing a test on georgia history and the constitution and state government before the georgia student can graduate. we need to do more. i will tell you this -- in 1960, when i was 18-years-old, a freshman at georgia tech, and i had the opportunity to votes for the first time, i voted for the individual that my mother -- who is 92-years-old today, just as sharp as she was then. in 1960, she gave me some bad advice. i followed her suggestion. i really did not know. i was too busy trying to figure

out how i was going to pass those 21 hours of georgia tech in chemistry, physics, populous, all that stuff. it is concerning that our young people know more about "american idol," "dancing with the stars," then they do about our government appeared to was responsible, who is accountable -- our government. who is responsible? who is accountable? they should know who the secretary of state is. who is the speaker of the house? who is the majority leader? they should know these things. they might not know the minority leaders, but it is important. our schools are offering things that are good -- advanced placement courses in government and civics, as we used to

college. these things are available. we need to encourage students to not to go the easy way and not just close their way through their senior year and into college. -- coast their way through their senior year and into college. do not just take an easy major that will not get you a job four years later just so that you can have fun and go to parties. we need to speak to our young people, from our homes, from our pulpits. i know that the pastor does this. i know you have been so active there. volunteerism, making sure that our people get that message. thank you for your questions and comments.

>> we will let you make your questions and comments and let you finish it up. >> i am retired military. my question is, do you believe that when the obama health care plan goes into effect, that he will try to do anything to eliminate the try care for life -- tricare for life? if so, thousands of veterans who read served this country will be without insurance -- who have served this country will be without insurance, especially those who have not reached the magic age of 64. what is being done to prevent obama from taking the health care from life out of the plan? >> i will quickly respond. president obama has no intention of doing that. i truly do not see anything in the bill that threatens that

program or our commitment to our veterans and military in regard to health care. there are a -- is a lot of bickering that goes on. i served six years on the house armed services committee. the current chairman, ike skelton, from missouri, a democrat, is one of the finest human beings i have ever met. i think that commitment to our troops and veterans is there across the aisle. you do not need to worry about that, but i am glad you asked. >> i have a question regarding the health care policy. it was forced upon us. it seems the issue has been obscured by deficit spending, immigration, a mosque at ground zero, and all of these other issues. at the time it was passed, the

republican said, if they gain control of the house and senate, they would repeal the act. studies have shown that may not be realistic commitment. a more realistic approach would be to dismantle sections that are not good. is that still are realistic commitment from the republican party? can we assume that they will address this issue if they do gain control? willoughby piecemeal -- will it be piecemeal? >> thank you for question. it will not be piecemeal. there have been members who have introduced legislation to remove certain sections of the bill. the better approach would be to repeal and start over. [applause] there is just too much bad in this.

a lot more than there is good. we need to repeal it. i will show my georgia and south carolina roots and say, kill that sucker dead. [laughter] we need to start over. there are some things that i would be in agreement with. quickly, people will say, accurately, even if republicans take control on -- we would not take control until january -- but in this election, if we regain control of the house and senate, that any bill to repeal obama care will be vetoed by the author. president obama is elected to a

four-year term, and he will be our president until he stands for reelection in 2012. we would have the power of the majority to not appropriate certain sections of that bill like the salaries of the 15,000 additional irs agents that would go over everybody's tax return to make sure they had a health insurance policy prescribed by the government so that if they did not, they could be fined. we will not pay for that. we will not pay for this. we will not pay for that other thing here that is the way we would approach it. as president clinton did in 1994 -- he said he would change rates.

some of his dances move towards the middle, maybe even a little right of center, where most of the country is philosophically, in regard to the government. i would hope -- hope springs eternal. >> this is the last one. we will wrap it up. >> i have your real problem. i would like to see action taken relative to tort reform and pork-barrel politics. >> thank you. those are great final comments in regard to tort reform. i mention that a little bit -- mentioned that a little bit. the president has made a commitment to the american medical association who supported the bill based on the promise of tort reform and solving the reimbursement

system. each year you calculate it calls for a cut in physician reimbursement. now, we keep kicking the can down the road and mitigating the the reimbursement cuts. when they finally come due, you are talking about cutting, particularly, our primary care physicians, family practitioners, a general internist, pediatricians -- 25% of what is already not enough reimbursement to cover expenses. they make up for at -- it by the fee-for-service private patients. i practiced 31 years. i saw the best part of the medical practice. i do not see our best and brightest.

he has to have compassion for treating people in the healing arts. a lot of young people look at medicine and say, you know, i'm going to be 34-years-old before i came out my shingle and i'm going to owe the federal government -- they have taken over another aspect of our lives -- student loans. lock stock and barrel. maybe i will just go to lost -- wall street or become a lawyer or an accountant or a schoolteacher, even. it is getting that bad as far as the medical profession is concerned. that is a great concern. pork barrel spending -- i probably do not have enough time to talk about that. you know that the republican minority took a pledge this year -- a compact, if you will

-- to not ask for any year -- earmarks, even though some are worried. it was to make a statement and show that the american people are tired of the spending. earmarks are only 1.5% of the federal budget, but you need to tighten the belt. it is time for federal employees to take a furlough. we took a furlough from port- barrel spending for this year -- pork-barrel spending for this year until we can eliminate the process. thank you very much. do you remember "the gong show"? i think it is my turn to get gonged. thank you for being here. god bless you.

>> thank you so much for coming. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] >> tomorrow on "washington journal," a look at the aftermath of hurricane katrina on the fifth anniversary of the storm. first, the economy of new orleans with allison plyer, the impact on area schools with shannon jones, and later, steve striffler on rebuilding the committee. that is live at 7:00 a.m.

eastern, here on c-span. >> tomorrow, president obama delivers remarks on the fifth anniversary of hurricane katrina added xavier university in new orleans. that is live at 3:10 p.m. eastern, here on c-span. >> monday starts science and technology week on boat tv prime time. a future with total recall. stephen baker on the computer scientists and mathematicians who want to predict and manipulate our behavior. " tv and prime time, monday on c-span2. >> votes are still being counted in the alaska republican senate primary election held last tuesday.

incumbent senator lisa murkowski trails her opponent by fewer than 2000 votes. we will show you a debate between them from earlier this month hosted by kakm television in anchorage, this is about 15 minutes. >> ladies and gentleman, our nation is in crisis. we are nearing a bankrupt situation where even our foreign creditors are preparing to foreclose on this nation. we must turn this nation around. where are we at this point? because of a crisis of leadership. we need to turn the nation back. we need to turn back over regulation. i am joe miller and i am running for the u.s. senate in order to seize the moment to ensure that we do turn this nation back and i am prepared to meet that challenge. i was trained at west point and

i'm a combat veteran from desert storm. as far as judicial activism, i was trained at yale law school and i defended the constitution. as far as economic policy goes, i received a master's degree in economics from the university of alaska and i am ready to confront those economic realities. we must not allow our children's future to be stolen. the american dream is far too important. >> thank you mr. miller. and now, senator murkowski? >> i thank you. i understand that this debate was scheduled for last evening but out of respect to the stephens family it was moved to this evening and it has caused some scheduling issues. but we appreciate that. alaska truly is at a crossroads. we are faced with an onslaught, a liberal onslaught of

government regulation and intrusion into our lives where the answer is always more government as opposed to allowing the individuals and states to proceed as we all believe that they should. what we need in washington d.c. is to continually fight the intrusions that are before us. 254 what we in alaska believe is best for our people and for the livelihood and culture and that is what i am there in washington d.c. to do. >> thank you. now for the candidate question round. first, we will start with senator murkowski. you have one minute to answer and then you will have one minute for rebuttal. >> i appreciate that. as a member of the senate, my

voting record is absolutely clear. it details every vote, yea and nay. i would ask you, mr. miller, why, with regards to the democratic health care bill, do you continue to assert supporting this bill. i voted to repeal this on the 24th. this was right after the president signed it. i voted against the proposed amendments to repeal all or part of it and i co-sponsored certain parts of it including a wholesale repeal of the bill.

my question to you is, as recently as august the fourth, you have stated, and i want to make sure that i get your words right. how can you continue to make those statements when the public record is extraordinarily clear. >> thank you for joining me in this debate. i want to make it clear that we support the fact that you voted against obamacare. this is unequivocal. even the announcer said that you saw it as a work in progress, one that needed to continue. it is not that she voted against the main bill, but it was a motion to table. it was a procedural vote and the concern that we have is that several times in the past

you voted differently on a substantive motion when it came to the floor. again, senator murkowski we respect the fact that you did that, but we want some perspective about the need for government health care. you indicated that you wanted a government health care plan to work. simple government has no role in providing a health care plan, least of all one that has the stamp of obamacare on it. there are many other co-sponsors that signed on. it took you until my campaign put pressure on you to actually vote for the bill. >> one minute for rebuttal. >> i voted to fully repeal the

obama health care plan the day after it was signed by the president into law. you have suggested that this vote did not count. i would direct you to the congressional record and i am sure that you do read the congressional records. i am quoting again, "mr. president, this would repeal the obama care bill." the statement from mr. box, the democratic leader on the floor, he said that it is very transparent, very straightforward, totally honest. it is not camouflaged. it is straight repeal of health care reform. there was no doubt in anyone's mind as to what we were voting on.

i am certain that you have seen that entire clip from that review for that interview that i gave. i went on to say that, in fact, repeal is not the whole answer if we have not reformed health care. in fact, you have stated in your questionnaire that that is exactly what you would do. >> march 30, 2010, you said repealing this is not the answer in your opinion. that clip is available for all alaskans to view. they took you at your word. that is what you said. it was the pressure that my campaign put on you that forced you to vote. >> mr. miller, please keep your question brief.

30 seconds, please. >> senator, have you ever co- sponsored for a bill or can't of a bill or resolution that was unconstitutional. >> that was unconstitutional on its face? no. >> a one minute rebuttal. >> where in the constitution is roe v. wade authorized in 2003, there was a constitutional provision that should not be reversed. the u.s. constitution permits federal funding for iraq research. i would also like to tell the alaskans, where in the constitution is the tarp?

where did the constitution authorize that? >> to suggest that the political world is black and white, that we should take that constitution and take literal interpretation and it is not absolutely cleanly, clearly stated that funding should be provided for authorization should be made for, where would we be as a nation? i will give you a very specific point. in our constitution, it specifically provides for funding for a navy and an army. but it does not specify an airforce. are we to suggest that perhaps

we should not be funding our air force because it is not included in the constitution? >> thank you, senator. now, it is time for me to ask a question and i will start with a question for you senator murkowski. your opponent has made remarks to the tarp. would you vote for it again? >> that is a good question. at the time, it may not have been the best option, but it was the only option that we have in front of us. look what has happened to our housing market. look what happened to individual's retirement and pensions. look what has happened to our nation's economy and what we were told was that it was bad and it was getting worse. the information that we had at that time led a majority of us,

72 of us. this was not just a few republicans. we believed this was the best option at the time. it was the only option. it was all across the board in terms of members who looked at that and said that we must act and we must do something. senator tom coburn, one of the most ardent conservatives in the senate supported that vote as well as myself. would we all have wished we could do something different? yes. >> mr. miller, you have described yourself as a constitutional conservative. describe what that means. >> i believe this nation has gone far from its moorings. the senator mentioned the fact that the air force is not in the

constitution. obviously there is room for judicial interpretation, but where judges take the constitution and expand beyond what the founders intended it to become aware of a dangerous road. what they intended was to limit the central government so that our central government would not infringe upon our individual rights and liberties. they understood that power is a zero sum game. you cannot give more power to the central government without infringing on our power. the problems all stem from the central government that is completely out of control. we have to get back to those moorings. it was a federalist system that gives power to the states. in the state of alaska, we have heard about a year marks and the need for money in the state. but we have to do is get control of our resources. that means federal government out, federalism, we are at a point where that decision can be made. >> now it is time for closing statements. you have one minute.

>> this is our opportunity as alaskans to come together to fight for our economy, to fight for good jobs for our families, so that we can remain in the communities that we have grown up in. whether it is fighting for the struggling timber industry in southeast alaska, where i am honored to have received the endorsement of the last of forestry association, or whether it is fighting for our fishing families all up and down the coast, and i am honored to receive the endorsement from fishing organizations, whether it is the work i do on the energy committee as the ranking member on that committee to ensure that as a resource production state, we are strong and firm, and we have the jobs that our families need and desire. this is what i am fighting for. i am asking all alaskans for your support on august 24.

>> and now one minute for you, mr. joe miller, in your closing statement. >> ladies and gentlemen, it is simple. i believe that our individual rights -- way to protect them is to limit the federal government. i believe in securing our southern border. i believe amnesty is the wrong way to go. i believe in the rights of the unborn. i know that we are a nation in crisis. the fiscal situation has got to be turned around. the only way to do that is to limit the federal government, according to the founders' intent. we have that opportunity in our state and in the nation. alaska can join with the other states in this nation that are sending constitutionalist to congress to bring back rights to the states. it is alaskas destiny to lead america into the future. >> thank you, mr. joe miller.

that concludes this portion of the program. thank you for joining us. we will be taking a short break, and then please stay with us and join us for more candidate interviews when we return. >> in this republican senate primary held last tuesday, attorney joe miller holds an -- close a narrow lead over the incumbent center by fewer than 1700 votes. senator murkowsi is vowing to not concede until all 20,000 absentee ballots have been counted, which is not expected until august 31, at the earliest. >> tomorrow on newsmakers, indiana senator dick lugar talks about the u.s. withdrawal of combat forces from iraq. that is at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. eastern, here on c-span. >> yesterday i signed a disaster

declaration for the state of louisiana. this morning i signed a disaster declaration for the state of mississippi. >> as the gulf coast marks the fifth anniversary of hurricane katrina, look back at how the federal government responded to the crisis, on line at the c- span video library. all >> is washington your way. -- it is washington your way. >> radio and fox news host glenn beck and the special operations order foundation posted a rally in washington honoring u.s. service personnel. speakers include the former alaska governor and 2008 vice- presidential nominee sarah palin, the niece of martin luther king jr. the event coincides with the 47th anniversary of his march on washington and "i have a dream"

speech. this event is a little over three hours. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please rise and join me in the saying of the pledge of allegiance. 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 all. [cheers and applause] the oh, say can you see by dawn's early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gle

aming whose broad streipes -- stripes and bright stars thru the perilous night o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming glaree rocket's red the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh, say, soe -- does that star- spangled banner yet wave

freethe land of the and the home of the brave ♪ [cheers and applause] >> we brought to the chalkboard in an age of high-tech devices. he brings you to a cable news show at 5:00 eastern on fox news and the third-most listened to radio show in all of america. he brings you the truth everyday. now, he brings you an effort to restore honor in america. ladies and gentlemen, glenn

beck. [cheers and applause] >> hello, america. i have just gotten word from the media that there are over 1000 people here today. [applause] we are humbled that you are here. we are truly humbled. this really is build it and they will come. [applause] the reflecting pool holds about

200,000 people. this field back here holds about 250,000 to 300,000 people. they are full in that field, fall behind me, and they are now across the street, approaching the washington monument. [cheers and applause] something beyond imagination is happening. something that is beyond man is happening. america today begins to turn back to god. [cheers and applause] . fort too long, this country -- >> 42 long this country has wandered in darkness .

we have had moments of brilliance and moments of darkness. but this country has spent far too long worried about scars and thinking about the scars, concentrating on the scars. but today, we're going to concentrate on the good things in america. the things that we have accomplished. the things that we can do tomorrow. [cheers and applause] the story of america is the story of humankind. 5000 years ago, on the other side of the planet, god's chosen people were led out of bondage by a guy with a stick, who was talking to a burning bush.

man first began to recognize god and god's law. the chosen people listened to the lord appeared at the same time, those things were happening -- at the same time those things were happening, another group of people were gathered here and they, too were listening to god. how these people were brought together happened because people were listening to god. they did not have the right to worship god the way they saw fit. so they got down on their knees. they did not want to come to this land. they did because they felt that is what god was telling them to do. with malice toward none, they got into their boats and they came.

people -- the native americans and the pilgrims. [applause] i would like to introduce you to this rabbi. [applause] this is john and kyla ward, direct descendants of the native americans that the pilgrims on the shores as they arrived. [applause] and pastor paul is a direct descendent of those who arrived on the mayflower. [applause] to restore america, to restore our honor, we have to start at

the beginning and look at the patterns. when people came together, of different faiths, in the spirit of god, and the first thing they did was pray together -- >> lord god, sovran almighty, ruler of the nation', king of kings and lord of lords, the holy one, the righteous one, you are the king of the earth. all nations belong to you. you were the one addressed in the first 696 chartered that opened -- 1606 charter that opened the settlement on the shores. you address that the gospel of jesus christ should be the central focus of every single

settlement. it was you our forefathers erected a wooden cross on the sandy shores of virginia in honor of. it was you that addressed -- was addressed in the mayflower compact, whose first words were, "in the name of god, amen." it was you the pilgrims now to -- knelt to and blessed. it was you that governor winthrop wrote "we shall be a city set upon a hill." it is you lord god that brought william penn and modeled peace with the first peoples. it was you, lord god, that brought the black regiment of preachers all across the continent to preach or word, to prepare your people to stand for liberty. it was you that was addressed in

the declaration of independence , as the author of inalienable rights. it was you that was declared as the one who created all equal. it was you, lord god, who called us to account when we broke the treaties with the first peoples. you called us to repentance. you, oh, god, called us to repentance when we did not live up to our treaties and we did not treat everyone as equals. lord, we found out that you are god of forgiveness. you are a god of covenants. you are a god of restoration. you are god of healing. you have healed us. you are feeling us. we come now to the mall in

washington. we come to you in humble repentance for the shedding of innocent blood. we come to you in repentance for not modeling marriage among your people. we come to you once again asking for healing, for restoration, for recovery, and for reconciliation. we know he will do it because you are god. your son, jesus christ, is the eternal redeemer, the king of kings, the lord of lords. and so we honor you for your word declares you will honor those that honor you. we come back to you today. we see you as the restoring god, the king of kings, and in

christ's name, for the advance of your kingdom, we once again say, may you god, bless america. maybe we -- may we be one nation under god. in christ's name, amen. [applause] >> thank you. .hank you reporte when mson said to me -- when my son said to me -- about one year ago when we were reading the story of david and goliath, he was sitting on my lap. i said, what a hero he is. he said, no he isn't, dad. my son is 5. i said, how come he is not a hero? he looked at me, totally puzzled. he said, because he cannot fly

or wear a cape. that is when i realized we have lost too many heroes in this nation. heroes are just people who stand and do the right thing, usually at their own peril. [applause] america trust our military. [cheers and applause] our fighting men and women do

the things that most of us do not even want to think about. they do it while we are asleep, while we are at play. the point is, they do it because it is they're calling. we have asked them to do with. -- to do it. i want ted to find people of honor to show you today. i wanted to be able to raise money for an honorable group, raise awareness for an honorable group. the group i found was fow -- so wf. special operations warriors foundation. [applause] i would like to now introduce you to the president of that foundation. [applause]

>> it is certainly humbling to be here this morning in front of all these patriots and great -- people that we could not do our mission if it was not for your generosity and caring. the special operations warrior foundation just wants to thank you the bottom of our hearts. we want to tell -- thank glenn beck for being so supportive of our families, our wounded, and our children. [applause] over the years -- it has been 30 years since we started. we had the tragic accident in a run -- in iran.

we went over to rescue 53 hostages. we had a terrible accident in the desert. we lost a number of young men. those brave young men left behind 17 children. today, one of them is a surgeon practicing at the university of tennessee. [applause] the one thing i have heard, time and again over the years, from the commanders of our special operations units -- they say the special operations order foundation eliminates one very important concern. that is to see that our children get a four-year college education no matter where they go -- room, board, books,

tuition, all their expenses. [applause] today, we have 133 students throughout the country. we have graduated 156. a couple of them are here with us today. they are off the payroll, b thank god. we have 571 yet of college age that we have committed to funding werfel education. this could not be done without caring americans like glenn beck and you folks here today. [applause] in 2005 in iraq, we lost captain derek. he had a son who was 10 months old and a wife, wendy. with me today is his mother.

let me introduce her to you. [applause] >> thank you very much. folks, this is overwhelming. i am overwhelmed. god bless all of you for coming today. to our veterans, are wounded warriors from all wars, -- our wounded warriors from all wars, welcome home. [cheers and applause] today, i want to talk to you about my family -- my personal here isnd miy family postal operations -- special operations.

i want to tell you about my son. when he was in the third grade, he came to me -- a very special little boy -- he came to me and he said, mom, i know what honor is. i said, what is it? he said, it is your promise -- your word. you must never, ever break a promise. [cheers and applause] in the fifth grade, he came to me and said he would promise me something. i said, to who? he said, to myself. i am going to promise that i would get into a service academy and become the best special operations of research -- special operations officer that i can become. in the sixth grade, he wrote an essay -- why we should honor our flag. in that as a, he explains -- in that essay, he explains what i

am seeing today. although the flags are -- the stars on a flight are separated, they come together in the eyes of god -- on the flagship are separated, they come together in the eyes of god. he got his wish. after two long years of trying to get in, he got in to the air force academy. on memorial day, 2005, police threw his hat of into the air -- he threw his hat up into the air. he said, i did it, mom. on that occasion, he was very proud of keeping that promise to himself. he decided to go into a very elite group called the combat control. they are called quiet professionals. their model is first to their that others may live -- first there that others may live.

they are very few. they are my family. he met his wife to be -- windy. their dreams came true and they have a little boy named logan. when he was 8 months old, on memorial day, 2005, that morning derek was promoted to captain. he could have cared less if you had told them he was general. he was on a mission. it was for americans and one iraqi. his plane went down. when logan was old enough to understand that his dad was not coming ever again to a game or coming home and his mother explained that the plane had not reached safety, logan went to his bedroom to get his tool kit. he wanted to fix the plane so his dad could come home.

as you heard on glenn's show, even if you are 8 years old, you will never forget this. shortly after that, my family was contacted by the special operations foundation. they relieve some of our stress and our worries. my son wanted the very best education for his son. that was a wonderful call. these calls continue to all of our children of fallen special ops of all branches. i cannot say enough wonderful things about them. they have never turned me down. allow me to help raise funds. i have attached myself like a barnacle to the bottom of their ship. they cannot get rid of me. " [cheers and applause]

y special ops? because they are often deployed -- why special ops? because they're often deployed. because we do not know where they are. the earnings, not numbers. -- they are and means, not numbers -- lthey are names -- they are names, not numbers. it is about keeping your promise. today, i want to ask you to listen to their stories and be very generous. today, i am not just holding out my hands. i'm holding out my heart. please, if it is a cent or $25,000, please help. please go to their website, find out who they are and what they do. i know now there is no such thing as coincidence.

there is also no such thing as closure. if he were standing with me today, he would say to you that each of us is responsible for our own destiny and our own salvation. each one of us is here to fulfill a mission. please, help us fulfill our mission. in closing, i want to read to you what derrick said when he graduated from the air force academy. it is above you. to serve god and country is not a right but a privilege. thank you. thank you for coming. [cheers and applause] [unintelligible] >> there been so many miracles today leading up to this.

if you have your cell phone, if you would text sowf to 85944 -- this may be the largest single crowd ever able to do this. if you text right now sowf to 85944, it will make a donation automatically of $10 to the special operations warrior foundation. there are 500 families of special forces men and women who have died in our name. let's take care of their children. let's do it right now. sofw, 85944. -- sowf, 85944. this week, i have been going to mount vernon.

i went to the national archives. i held the first inaugural draft, written in his own hand, by george washington. i went to the national cathedral, which is incredible -- an incredible space. there are too little alcoves -- two little alcoves. there is a statue of george washington on one side and a statue of abraham lincoln on the other side. what most people don't know is that if you stand in just the right place at the right time of day, because of the stained- glass windows, patterns start to appear on the chest of these great men -- and at the right time of day, they both start to glow red.

the reason why is because the designers knew what made their chest glow red. in a small little window, high up above them, that most people do not see, there is a stained- glass window of martha and mary, their wives. when the sun hits them just right, it makes their chest glow red. the secret of being able to stand the test of time is being able to have god and a good by your side. -- and a good spouse by your side. family is the secret. when i knew we wanted to honor our military, i did not want to have a military person. i did not want to have a member of congress or someone running for anything.

i wanted to have a dad or imam -- a mom. that is why i picked up the phone and i called a mom. she is speaking to you today as a mother of someone in the military. ladies and gentlemen, sarah palin. [cheers and applause] ♪ >> thank you so much. gracie -- thank you. are you proud to be an american? [applause] what an honor. we stand today at the symbolic

crossroads of our nation's history. all around us are monuments to those who have sustained as over the years in word and deed. they are in the distance -- there and the distance stands a monument to the father of our country. behind me, the towering presence of the greek emancipated -- great demands a pater -- emancipater. over these grounds where we are so honored to stand today, we feel the spirit of dr. martin luther king, jr. [applause]

he who, two score and seven years ago, gave voice to a dream that would challenge us to honor the sacred charters of our liberty -- that all men are created equal. in honoring these giants -- who are linked by a solid foundation of faith in the one true god of justice -- in honoring them, we must not forget the ordinary men and women on whose shoulders they stood. they called for an extraordinary bravery. i'm speaking of america's finest -- are men and women in uniform -- our men and women in uniform, a force for good in this country. that is nothing to apologize for. [applause] abraham lincoln once spoke of

the mystic chords of memory stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land. for over 200 years, those mystic chords have boundless in gratitude to those who are willing to sacrifice to restrain evil, to protect god-given liberty, to sacrifice all in defense of our country. they fought for its freedom at bunker hill. they fought for its survival at gettysburg, and for the ideals on which it stands, liberty and justice for all, on 1000 battlefields far from home. it is so humbling to be here with you today, patriots. you are motivated and engaged and concerned. you know never to retreat. i must assume -- [applause]

i must assume that you, too, know that we must not fundamentally transformed america as some people would want. we must restore america and restore her honor. [cheers and applause] now, i have been asked to speak today not as a politician. no, something more. something much more. i have been asked to speak as the mother of a soldier. i am proud of that distinction. [applause] you know, say what you want to say about me, but i raised a combat vet and you cannot take that away from me.

i am proud of that distinction, but it is not one that i had imagined. no woman gives birth thinking that she will hand over her child to her country, but that's what mothers have done from engine days -- ancient days. you can find monuments to brave americans wearing the uniforms of wars from long ago. look down at the inscriptions on these monuments. they are often dedicated by mothers. today, we honor those in those distant lands across the slope where you will find silent fields of white markers with the names of americans who never came home, but showed their dedication to their countries by where they died. we honor those who served something greater than themselves and made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as those who

served and did come home forever changed by the battlefield. [cheers and applause] though this rally is about restoring order for these men and women -- honor for these men and women, bonner was never lost. you'll find the virtues -- it is in those who wear the uniform. they took the press -- they took the oath and pay the price for our freedom. i would like to tell you the stories of three patriots who stand with us today. the first is named marcus luttrell. [applause] his story is one of raw courage in the face of borrowing odds. it is also the story of americans'enduring quest for

justice. we went to afghanistan seeking justice for those who were killed without mercy by evil men on september 11. one fateful day in afghanistan, marcus and three of its fellow navy seals confronted the issue of justice and mercy in a decision that would forever change their lives. they were on a mission to hunt down a high-level taliban leader. they were faced with a terrible dilemma when some goat-herders stumbled on their position. they could not tell that these men were friend or foe. should they kill them or should they let them go, perhaps resting or compromising their mission? they took a vote and chose mercy over self-preservation. they set their prisoners free.

the vote said it was the humane thing to do. it was the american thing to do. it sealed their fate. within hours, over 100 taliban forces arrived on the scene. they battled the four navy seals. our rescue helicopter came, but it was shot down. by the time the sun set on june 28, 2005, it was one of the bloodiest days for american forces in afghanistan. 19 brave, honorable men were lost that day. marcus was the only survivor -- alone, stranded, badly wounded. he limped and crawled for miles. what happened next is a testament to the words "blessed are the merciful for they shall be shown mercy." they showed mercy in letting their prisoners freed and he was later showed mercy but afghan

villagers who honored an ancient custom of providing hospitality to any strangers who would ask for it. it took him in and cared for him. they refused to hand him over to the taliban. they got him back safely to our forces. his story teaches us that, even on the worst battlefield, against the most brutal and indeed, we adhere to our principles. this love of justice and mercy makes us a force for good in this world. he is a testament to that. please join me in honoring u.s. navy seal, a petty officer retired, marcus luttrell. [cheers and applause]

[applause] next, from the time that he first heard men marching to the cadence call, he had one dream in life -- to beat the united states marine -- be a united states marine. serving in iraq, his company was ambushed in fallujah. he was knocked out when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his humvee. both of his hands were gone when he came to, and his leg was badly wounded. he could not fire his weapon. he could barely move. he was bleeding to death. but he had the strength of mind to leave the men under his command and that is what he did.

he kept them calm. he showed them how to stop the bleeding and where to return -- returned fire. he had been called for support and he got them out of there alive. [cheers and applause] his composure under fire that day earned him the bronze star with dollar -- with valor. if you ask him what he got it for, he will tell you it was just his job. after a long recovery, he continues to serve as a martial arts instructor. he resigned from his beloved marine corps a few years ago, but he still lives by the model -- once a marine, always a marine. if you want to see the american spirit of never retreating, no matter the odds, a steady confidence and optimism, look at

his story. no matter how tough times are, americans always pull through. as he put it, we did not foster the attitude of i can. when you have an obstacle in front of you, you just keep putting 1 foot in front of you and focus on what you can do. please join me in honoring him. [cheers and applause] next,, kirk -- next, tom kirk,

an air force combat commander. one day, on a mission over hanoi, his airplane was shot down. he spent the next five and a half years and the hanoi hilton -- in the hanoi hilton. he endured beatings, torture, hunger, is of isolation -- years of isolation. there was nothing to do, nothing to read, nothing to write. you had to sit there in absolute boredom, loneliness, frustration, and fear. you had to live one day at a time because you had no idea you wear -- no idea how long you're going to be there. after two years of solitary confinement, pacing back and

forth in his cell, tom was finally moved to a larger holding cell with 45 other americans. among them was a man named john mccain. [applause] in circumstances that defied description, this band of brothers kept each other alive. one by one, they came home. he was released on march 14, 1973. you might think that a man who had suffered so much for his country would be bitter and broken by it. but his heart was only filled with love for america -- that special love of country that we call patriotism. [applause] tom wrote, "patriotism has

become, for many, a corny thi ng. for me, it is more important now than at any time in my life. how wonderful to be an american -- to come home." please join me in honoring retired air force general, tom kirk. [applause] [applause]

>> u.s.a.! u.s.a.! u.s.a.! u.s.a.! u.s.a.! [applause] >> my fellow americans, each of these men faced terrible suffering, overwhelming setbacks, and impossible odds. they endured. their stories are america's stories. we will always come through. we will never give up. we shall endure. we live by the moral strength that we call "grace." we have often skirted the press of this -- the press of this --

the precipice. sometimes our challenges seem insurmountable. but at the crossroads of our history, may this day be the change point. around you. you are not alone. you are americans. -- look around you. you are not alone. you are americans. [cheers and applause] you have the same courage as lincoln, washington, king. it will sustain the as it sustained them appeared with pride in the red, white, and together,s stand let's stand with honor, let's

restore america. god bless you and god bless america. [cheers and applause] >> id is no longer enough in our country -- it is no longer enough in our country just to look at these three heroes. they cannot be the only ones who do these tough things. if we want our country to survive, we must begin to look of our selves -- look at ourselves. we must be in digital's -- we must be individuals of faith, hope, in charity. when i first put this together,

i thought it was supposed to be political. i had to announce it for some reason. i went to florida. i had to look people in the eye and tell them what we're doing. 25,000 people showed up. i've broken out into a cold sweat -- i broke out into a cold sweat. i grabbed my assistant by the lapels. i screamed in his ear. i said, i do not know how, but we are wrong. he pushed me back and said, what? i knew we were supposed to come here. so, i went back to the drawing board. over the holidays, i came to faith, hope, and chairty.

those -- charity. those three icons. i brought them back to the television station and said, this is our direction next year. i said, i do not understand it, but this is where we're going. it was about four months ago. we were still lost. we did not know what we were going to do. i was down on my knees. i said, lord, i think i am one of your dumber children. speak slowly. the answer was, you have all the pieces, just put them together. the pieces are faith, hope, and chairty -- charity and looking for those inside of us. we have plenty of medals for our

heroes. they do things none of us want to do. when i found the original story of the purple heart, the badge badge ofir -- our -- merit -- our troops do things for us and we give them the purple heart. the original intent -- it was called the badge of merit. it was the first merit badge and it was given to any soldier that had done something america -- something of merit. to be able to defeat the most powerful army and navy on earth, he had to have farmers and shopkeepers of honor and merit.

there were three given out that we know of. there were lost until 1933. fdr took them and designed the metal around them. i would like to come we ask that, -- humbly ask that we go back to that original intent. we need to look for marriage -- merit and honor in one another. people who have done the tough thing and stood against the tide because it was right. today, we begin to award the new badge of merit. restoring honor. today, we will award three medals to civilians who have done the right thing throughout their life and have touched the

lives of other people, so our children can see regular people making tough decisions and living their lives the right way. [applause] to restore america, we must not only restore honor. in doing so, we will restore heroes. our children need people to look up to. those people are not giants like back. -- like that today are everywhere. they are like us. today, we will begin. faith, hope, and charity. our first medal is for faith. ♪ >> faith. it is knowing and believing in something when all the circumstances surrounding you would indicate otherwise.

faith is the cornerstone of america's foundation. you might say it is in our dna. 1775 -- in the greatest act of faith in our nation's history, a group of upstart colonists saw their freedom -- sought their freedom by declaring war on the greatest military power in the world, where there was seemingly no hope. there was based. nearly 200 years later, a young minister had the faith to dream of a better day. he dreamt of freedom, equality, a realization that all men are created equal -- dr. martin luther king's shah like faith gave him the assurance that -- childlike fate gave him the assurance that all the pain and sacrifice would lead to an outcome that men before him could only dream about. in 2001, our faith was challenged again as we watched

the twin towers fall. americans look inside themselves, then to their god to find the strength to rise above the evil and hatred. the faith that we had an ourselves, in each other, and our god united us. that faith reassured us that no matter what happened yesterday or today, tomorrow is a new day. from the very beginning of this great country, our faith has driven us to become the greatest people the world has ever known. but now it seems as darkness is growing again that faith is in short supply. to restore america we must restore ourselves. we must rediscover the values

and principles that the dali -- that the founders established. we must restore the faith that once guided us. can we still reach for answers? can we still find solutions not yet revealed? can we find that faith? [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, here to present the badge of merit for is our next presenter, from a tribe in oklahoma. >> it is an honor to stand here

before you can see some of the people. i believe you are in a position of honor as well. you are to be honored for coming to this event. before i introduce and tell you about a great man, i would like to give you just a brief of what honor means to native american people. the word "honor" is a word that is like a precious stone. it is a sweet fragrance that blows from the north to the south. honor is a warrior that is able and capable of keeping his word, keeping his promise or her promise. there is a word that our people sung on the trail of tears. it's as always go forward, never

go back -- it says always go forward, never go back. we shall never look back at the past. from this day on, we should look forward to the great awakening, the greek revival that we prayed for -- great revival that we prayed for. [cheers and applause] it is an honor to introduce one of our great black leaders, a covenant warrior of god, a peacemaker, one was able to keep peace and not start wars. i would say this to america. it is a word that means you are like a river that gives me life and without you i cannot exist. pastor jackson pastors a baptist

church in houston. for 53 years, he and his wife cap covenant. he has been in ministry for 50 years as a leader with traditional values -- family values. he was appointed by gov. rick perry to texas. [applause] it was appointed to the texas department of criminal justice. he went to morehouse college. he was appointed to the hall of preachers for the several books he has written -- over 18 books. he is one of the first preachers -- the first creature to have a weekly tv program, a down-to-earth minister that speaks the truth and honesty --

truth in the honesty. he has planted 19 churches just in the houston area. when martin luther king came to washington to give the speech "i have a dream," he said to my right, listening to this great man, at the corner of the reflecting pool -- he wanted to see all people black, white, red, yellow, whatever color -- to come to know -- that they could come to know unity. when we work together in unity, we can move as a unit and we will be in union. that is a covenant. many times, we have misunderstandings of covenant. we have to be