we did not get peace. we got war. we got iran. hamas -kicked out the palestinian authority. it collapsed in one day. abbas just said the palestinians are armed only with hopes and dreams. yep, hopes, dreams, and 10,000 missiles and rockets supplied by iran. not to mention the river of lethal weapons now flowing into gaza from libya and elsewhere. thousands of missiles have already rained down on our cities.

you might understand that israelis ask, what is to prevent this from happening again in the west bank? most of our major cities in the south of the country are within a few dozen kilometers from gaza. but we are a few hundred meters away from the edge of the west bank. i want to ask you, would any of you bring the danger so close to your cities and families? would you act so recklessly with the lives of your citizens? israel is prepared to have a palestinian state in the west bank but we're not prepared to

have another gaza. that is why we need to have real security arrangements. they refuse to negotiate with us. israelis remember the bitter lessons of gaza. paris -- irresponsibly and allies israel to go down this path again. it is as if nothing happened. they keep repeating the same advice, the same formula. as though none of this happened. these critics continue to press israel to make concessions without assuring israel's security. they praise those who feed in the crocodile of militant islam as a bold. they cast as enemies of peace

and those of us who insist that we must erect a barrier to keep the crocodile out to or jam and iron bar between its gaping jaws. in the face of those labels and the libel, we must seek a better advice, better press than a goodhue ag. and better would be a fair press whose sense of history extends beyond breakfast and which recognize our legitimate security concerns. i believe that in peace negotiations, these needs and concerns can be properly addressed. but not without negotiations. israel is such a tiny country.

without duty and samaria, israel is 9 miles wide. i want to put that in perspective. that is about two-thirds the length of manhattan. it is the difference -- distance between battery park and columbia university. the people who live and brooklyn and new jersey are nicer than some of our neighbors. how do you protect such a tiny country? surrounded by people sworn to its destruction? you cannot defend it with in that narrow of a space along. israel needs greater strategic depth. that is why the security resolution 242 did not require us to leave all the territories

recaptured. it talked about withdrawal from territories to secure and the sensible boundaries. israel must therefore return and long-term military presence in critical areas of the west bank. i extend as -- explain this to president abbas. he answered that if a palestinian state was to be a sovereign country, it could never accept such arrangements. why not? america has had troops in japan, germany, and south korea for more than half a century. britain has had an -- france has forces in three african nations. none of these kind they are not

sovereign countries. there are many other security issues that also must be addressed. israel's small dimensions create huge security problems. america can be crossed by jet airplanes in six hours. to fly across israel takes three minutes. is our air space to be chopped in half and given to re palestinian state not a peace with israel? our major airport is a few kilometers away from the west bank. without peace, will our planes become targets for anti-aircraft missiles? how will we stop the smuggling into the west bank -- the

mountains dominate in the coastal plain or much of the population since. how could we prevented smuggling into these mountains of those missiles that could be fired on our cities? i bring up these problems because they are not theoretical problems. they are a very real. for israelis, they are life-and- death matters. all of these to potential cracks in securities have to be sorted out before a palestinian state is declared. if you leave it afterwards, they will not be dealt with. it will explode in our face. the palestinians should a first make peace with israel and then to get their state. i also want to tell you this.

after such an agreement is signed, israel and will not be the last country to welcome a palestinian state as a new member of the united nations. we will be the first. [applause] there is one more thing. hamas has been violating international law by holding our soldiers captive for five years. they have not given one red cross visit. he is held in a dungeon against all international norms and. he is the son of --

who escaped the holocaust by coming to the land of israel as a boy. he is the son of as it -- every israeli family. every nation represented here should demand his immediate release. if you want to -- [applause] if you want to pass a resolution about the middle east today, that is the resolution you should pass. [applause] last year in israel, this year in the u.s. congress, are laid out my vision for peace in which

a de-militarized palestinian state recognizes the jewish state. yes, the jewish state. after all this is the body there recognize the jewish state 64 years ago. isn't it time the palestinians did the same? the jewish state of israel will always protect the rights of all its minorities, including the 1 million arab citizens of israel. i wish i could say the same thing about a future palestinian state. as officials made clear the other day, and made it right here in new york, they said the palestinian state will not allow any jews in it. they will be jew-free.

that is ethnic cleansing. there are laws today and make the selling of land to jews punishable by death. that is racism. you know which laws this evokes, israel has no intention whatsoever to change the democratic character of our state. we do not want to palestinians to try to change the jewish character of our state. we want to give up -- [applause] we want them to give up the fantasy of flooding is your with millions of palestinians. -- israel was millions of

palestinians. he said the core of the conflict is the settlement. that is odd. our conflict has been raging for nearly half a century. before there was a single israeli settlement. if what president abbas is saying is true, and the settlement he is talking about are tell the -- tel aviv,. maybe that is what he meant when he said that israel has been occupying palestinian land for 63 years. he did not say from 1967. he said from 1948. i hope somebody will bother to ask him this question. it illustrates a simple truth

-- the core of the conflict is not the settlement. the settlements are a result of the conflict. [applause] it is an issue that has to be addressed and resolved in the course of negotiations. the core of the conflict has always been and remains a refusal of the palestinians to recognize a jewish state in any form. i think it is time the palestinian leadership recognizes what every serious international leader has recognized. from lord george to president truman and president obama, israel is the jewish state. [applause]

president of loss, stop -- abbas, stop walking around this issue. make peace with us. israel is prepared to make painful compromise. we believe the palestinians should be neither the citizens of israel or its subjects. they should live in a free state of their own. but they should be ready, like us, for compromise. we will know they are ready for compromise when they start taking israel's security requirements seriously and when they stopped denying our historical connection to our ancient homeland. i hear them accuse us of -- jerusalem. that is like accusing america of americanizing washington.

you know why we are called the jews? because we come from judea. there is an ancient seal and my office, a cigna gramm from a jewish official from the time of the bible. it was found next to the western wall and the dates back 2700 years to the time of king hezekiah. there is a name of a jewish official inscribed on the ring in hebrew. his name was netanyahu. that is my last name. my first name, benjamin, dates back 1000 years earlier to benjamin, the son of jacob, who was also known as israel. jacob and his 12 sons roamed these same hills four thousand years ago. there has been a continual

jewish presence in the land ever since. for those jews who were exiled from our land, they never stopped dreaming of coming back. jews in spain on the eve of their expulsion, jews in the ukraine, jews and the warsaw ghetto as the nazis were around them, they never stopped praying. they never stopped yearning. they whispered, and next year in jerusalem, the promised land. [applause] as the prime minister of israel, i speak for 100 generations of jews who were dispersed through a plans -- the lands, who suffered every evil under the sun but never gave up hope of

restoring their national life in the one and only jewish state. ladies and gentlemen, i continue to hope that president abbas will be my partner in peace. i work hard to advance the peace. the day i came into office, i called for direct negotiations without preconditions. abbas did not respond. i outlined a vision of a piece of two states for two people. he still did not respond. i removed hundreds of roadblocks and checkpoints to ease freedom of movement in the palestinian areas. this is still -- facilitated a growth in the palestinian economy. the response. i took the steps of freezing all new buildings in the settlements

for 10 months. no prime minister did that before. once again, you applaud but there was no response. no response. in the last few weeks, american officials have put forward ideas to restart peace talks. there were things in those ideas about borders that i did not like. there were things they're about to the jewish state and ensure the palestinians did not like. but with all my reservations, i was willing to to move forward on these american ideas. president abbas, why don't you join me? we have to start negotiating about the negotiations. let's get on with it. let's negotiate peace.

[applause] i spent years defending israel on the battlefield. i spent decades defending israel in the court of public opinion. abbas, you have dedicated your life in advancing the palestinian causes. most of this conflict continue for generations? or were -- will we enable our children and grandchildren to speak of how we found a way to end it? that is what we should aim for. that is what i believe we can achieve. into a half years we met in jerusalem only once. my door has always been open to you.

i will come to you if you wish. i have a better suggestion, we both have just flown thousands of miles to new york. now we are in the same city. we're in the same building. , in theet here today united nations. [applause] who is there to stop us? what is there to stop us? if we want peace, what is there to stop us from meeting today and beginning peace negotiations? i suggest we talk openly and honestly. let's listen to one another. let's do as we say in the middle east, that means is straightforward. i will tell you my needs and

concerns. you will tell me yours. with god's help, we will find common ground. [applause] there is an old arab saying that you cannot applaud with one hand. the same is true of peace. i cannot make peace alone. i cannot make peace without you. president abbas, i extend my hand, the hand of his era, in peace. i hope you will grasp at hand. we're both of the sons of abraham. we share the same patriarch. we dwell in the same lands. our destinies are intertwined. let us realize the vision of

isaiah -- the people who walk in darkness will see a great light. let that light the light of peace. >> the house and senate recessed without approving a measure to provide disaster aid in keeping government agencies opened. it voted to reject the measure from the house that would fund federal agencies and provide $3.7 billion in disaster assistance with some of the money coming from cuts in loan programs that finance technological developments. republicans refused to allow a vote similar to the house version but without the cuts. a work resumes monday in the senate. on the floor are harry reid and mitch mcconnell talking about action on the bill.

>> with the indulgence, let me make remarks about are. for anyone who's confused about what's going on in congress right now, let me make it easy. in order to keep the government running beyond next week, congress needs to pass a short-term bill that funds government operations at a spending level both parties can agree to. the good news is we've already agreed on a spending level. that's already been done. last night the house of representatives passed a bill that meets that figure that we agreed on a couple of months ago. here's the holdup: because of some of the horrible weather we've had over the past several weeks, we've all agreed to add emergency funds that we didn't originally plan in this bill, and republicans identified a couple of cuts to make sure we

don't make the deficit any bigger than it already is, including an offset that leader pelosi has used in the past. the rest is from a cut to a loan guarantee program that gave us the solyndra scandal. now i think we can all agree that this program should be put on hold until we get more answers, but our friends on the other side don't like the idea. they'd rather just add these funds to the deficit. why? because they say that's the way we've always done things around here. well, i think there's a lesson we can draw from the debates we've been having here over the last six months, is that the american people won't accept that excuse any longer. the whole "that's the way we've always done it" argument is the reason we've got a $14 trillion debt right now. if we pass this bill fema will have the funds they need -- have the funds they need -- to respond to these emergencies. that's not the issue here.

what's at issue is whether we're going to add to the debt or not. we have a path forward to get disaster funding done right here today. there's absolutely no reason, in my judgment, to delay funding for disasters until monday, as my opinion friend, the majority leader, is now asking us to do. i don't think we ought to delay at all. now we just received the amendment a few minutes ago, but we're aware of what it does. and i think it's important for us to try to resolve this issue sooner rather than later. let's just walk through the next few days. if we don't have this vote until monday, then that leaves 24 hours or so before the jewish holidays begin, and then several days before the end of the fiscal year. it strikes me that we'd be better off to go ahead and have this vote now and enter into the

discussions that will probably now be delayed until sometime monday night to see how we can resolve this impasse between the house and senate. we'd be happy to have the cloture vote on my friend, the majority leader's proposal right now rather than monday night so we can get a clear sense of where we stand. so it's my view that we ought to have the vote today rather than wait until monday and basically squander the next few days toward getting an agreement we know we have to reach. therefore, mr. president -- and i thank my friend the majority leader for letting me explain my position, i object. mr. reid: mr. president? the presiding officer: objection is heard. mr. reid: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. reid: first of all, my friend, i'm sure understands that this great piece of legislation that was sent to us by the house received 36 votes

over here. it was tabled on a bipartisan basis. mr. president, the matter that's now before the senate is really a nice piece of legislation. it funds the government till november 18. that's what the house wanted. it also has money in the bill to take care of fema, and we recognize that even though we passed a bill here with bipartisan support that had $6.9 billion, which we believe is an appropriate figure, in an effort to compromise in this c.r., we have the number that the house thinks is a better number. that's what is before us. and so, mr. president, my suggestion to my friend -- and he is my friend -- is that the two democratic leaders, reid and

pelosi, the two republican leaders -- mcconnell and boehner -- should cool off a little bit, work through this. there's a compromise here, and the compromise is now before the senate. everyone once in a while needs a little cooling off period. the government is not shutting down. fema is not out of money. we'll come here money. more reasonable heads will prevail and i would hope over the weekend that the four leaders can lead their troops in the right direction. so i again ask unanimous consent the vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur with the amendment occur at 5:30 p.m. monday september 26. the presiding officer: is there objection? mr. mcconnell: mr. president, reserving the right to object, obviously here in the senate we would have a 60-vote vote, and that's what we will have monday afternoon. i see no reason why we shouldn't advance that to now so that it can be clear whether or not this

measure would pass the senate. i'm pretty confident it will not. and i don't see any purpose to be served by delaying the outcome of that, making the outcome clear to monday when we can have a clear outcome today. therefore i object. mr. reid: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. reid: thank you, mr. president. first of all, we have a piece of legislation at the desk that takes care of all the issues. it takes care of funding -- it takes care of the c.r. until after october 1. it also takes care of fema for the forseeable future. that's a nice piece of legislation. it's not our number. it's the house number. so i ask unanimous consent the reid motion to concur on the house amendment to the senate amendment h.r. 2608 with amendment 656 be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be

considered made and laid on the table with no intervening action bill be placedany statements in the record at the appropriate place as if read. in fact, what we're asking here is that the c.r. with the fema language be passed. the presiding officer: is there objection? mr. mcconnell: mr. president, we'll have that vote on monday. i object. the presiding officer: socks lettered. mr. reid: i renew my request. the vote is monday, is that right? i would tell everyone, mr. president, as my friend said, we'll have the vote on monday. we'll keep the vote open if people are really pressed on planes. i'll work with the republican leader and make sure s protected as much as possible. the presiding officer: is there objection to th the renewd request for monday? >> next to c-span series on key

figures to run for president and lose but still changed political history. tonight alike of william jennings bryan. after that, the united nations speech by the iraqi president of jalal talaban a. -- talibani. and now, "contenders." >> good evening, welcome to the third installment of c-span's "the contenders" series. tonight we look at the life of william jennings bryan. the three-time nominee from nebraska. what better way to introduce you to the man by hearing directly from him. this is a speech he delivered at the democratic convention in

1896. this is commonly referred to as the "cross of gold" speech. it was from his first run at the white house. >> we do not come as aggressors. our goal is not a goal of conquest. we are fighting in defense of our families and prosperity. we have traditions and our traditions have been scorned. our in treaties have been disregarded. we have begged and they have bought an hour, -- we have balked. when are calamity came. we beg no more. we intreat no more. we petition no more. we brought forth confidence that we shall win. >> the words of william jennings bryan. we are coming to you from his home and office in the state capital of nebraska. it is commonly called fairview, because it gave you a fair view

of the land. william jennings bryan and his wife moved here in 1902. we are coming to you from the first floor. his study is just below us. he did much of his riding an entertaining here in this house. we welcome our guest, a professor of history at georgetown university. he also wrote "and godly hero." we're also joined by the chair of the department of history at the university of nebraska here in lincoln. thank you both for being with us. to set up this speech, the man that delivered it and the impact that it had bought democratic delegates. >> the country was very divided. there was a great depression. the democrats were split down the middle. the incumbent president was very unpopular. as presidents usually are during great depression. bryan comes into this convention as a dark horse candidate.

everyone knows he is a wonderful order. -- orator. he is defending the cause of free silver. this is to help people in trouble economically. he gives this speech and people go wild when they hear it. partly because he had a wonderful voice. this was actually recorded later. the technology did not exist to record his speech in 1896. the speech was from 1896. he was robust, vigorous. he had an amazing voice. it could be heard without amplification by 10,000 people at a time. he has really stepped this up so he could give a speech at the time when he knew that the majority of delegates were for him but at the same time, no living speech had been given at -- reding speech had been given at -- riveting speech had been

given at that time. he had found his moment and he used it to great affect. >> as you indicated, his words recorded in 1923 but here is a race in which he was challenging william mckinley. he was relatively unknown. he served only two terms in the house of representatives. ran for the senate. he won the popular vote but lost because a republican legislator gave it to the republican candidate. >> it was a tumultuous time in an american politics. there was a major strike that -- a railroad strike that tore the country apart and revealed to americans just how unstable the economy was and how deep this depression might become. william jennings bryant ran as a democrat and a populist for the u.s. senate and ran against a railroad attorney. -- attorney named john thurston. he gained a lot of national

attention with this senate campaign in 1984. i would like connected the lincoln-douglas debates. he had a series of debates and this gave him great visibility across the nation. he emerged as a national figure at that time. the country was desperate for leadership. all of the parties were divided. the populists were on the scene. the republicans had won the presidential contest in nebraska in 1982. the second place vote-getter was the populist. the democrat cleveland was far behind. the democratic party was in deep trouble in this part of the midwest. >> he is one of 14 presidential candidates who lost the election of a change to politics. -- but changed american politics. from nebraska, more of the words from william jennings bryan. from his famous cross of gold speech. >> the great cities are in favor of the gold standard.

the rest upon our broad and fertile prairies'. burned down your cities and leave the farms, and your cities will spring up again if -- as though by magic. destroy our farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country. we care not what lined the battle is fought. england has a gold standard. we will restore bimetallism. if they dared to come out and defend the gold standard, we will fight them to the uttermost. supported by the interest and

the labor is everywhere, we will answer the demand for the gold standard. you shall not pushed down against labor. this crown of thorns. you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. >> how long was this speech in 1986 -- 1896? what was referred to as the cross of gold? >> it was about 45 minutes long. this was a powerful metaphor for most people. william jennings bryan was a very serious evangelical christian. he wanted to keep the country on the gold standard. they wanted to restrict the supply of money. they wanted to keep interest rates high. for many people that supported him, this was a way to keeping the americans who were in debt deeper in debt.

it was a way of keeping the british economy the supreme economy in the world. the british economy was based on the gold standard. it sounds like a technical issue but this is a half against the have nots. that is the way that bryan sought. critics saw it. -- that is the way that bryan saw it. to crucify mankind on a cross of gold was connected to pontus pilot crucifying christ. in the same way, they thought that the american economy was run for the interest of those who already had property or money or banks. there was a real class divide at that time. now, we have a lot of anger about the economy but this is not focused the same way as it was then. every dollar that people had in their pockets could be redeemed

for some old. -- gold, and silver as well. and there was more sober in circulation and there was gold. -- more silver in circulation and there was gold. -- than there was gold. this was really a call for cheaper money, lower interest rates, and greater economic opportunity. >> you talk about his charisma and what he meant at that time. he essentially became a celebrity. he was receiving as many as 2000 letters a day. you also write about something that he did which was viewed as revolutionary which was campaigning for the office as opposed to the strategy in ohio. -- the front porch strategy in ohio. >> they had a lot of money. he was able to get checks from john a. rockefeller.

other big industrialists could just write him checks. there was no restrictions on campaign donations. bryan could not get that kind of money. he had to go out and campaign for himself. he could not depend on a large

through parts of the north. for the most part, american presidential candidate sat on their front porch and other people campaigned for them. brian campaigned at every town in illinois, ohio, virginia and traveled all over america bringing his campaign to the people. >> as always, we want to hear from you. we are and lincoln, nebraska. -- we are in the lincoln, nebraska. this is referred to as fairview. william jennings bryan and his

wife moved here in 1902. let's take a step back. he ran for the house of representatives, and yet he was born in salem, ill.. walk us through the early years of william jennings bryan. how did the end up in nebraska? >> he was born in 1860 into a world that was being transformed. the civil war that followed, 18621865. he was too young to serve in the civil war. -- the civil war that followed, 1862-1865. he had not served in the military. many men in politics had served in the military. he did not have that opportunity. instead, he read for the bar and went into practice as a lawyer in lincoln, nebraska. he started his own law firm, a partnership. he practiced basic law in a growing urban environment.

that is when he became active in politics. >> at the time and in many ways still, going to law school is good training to go into politics. his father was a judge in illinois. his father had helped write the illinois state constitution. a very close associate of stephen douglas. really, politics was in his blood. he never thought of doing anything else but in politics. he became a lawyer because he wanted to get involved in politics. he came to nebraska because he knew that the democratic party was very weak here. he thought there would be a good opportunity for young man to rise quickly within the democratic party. >> let me go back to the way he was able to capture the imagination of the country.

three times getting the democratic nomination. have you received nomination and he lost all three times? >> henry clay received the nomination. this was a little bit different 100 years ago. there was a lot more voters, and a lot more media. more money involved. clay had a pretty small country. america was not just a country, by the early 20th century, som this was a modern campaign. >> as you write in your book, for 14 million americans of voted in that election. that was 80%. 80% of eligible voters cast their ballots. >> they voted in colorado. that is the highest percentage of voters.

of any election from now until the present. we have never had that a high percentage of voters again. >> can you touch on his senate bid in 1894? >> cher. -- sure. he started out to get the populist and democratic nomination. the populist was an insurgent movement in american politics rapidly rising. they had secured the house in nebraska. the irony of his 1894 senate campaign was that the republicans win for the legislature and the democratic candidate actually wins the governorship. there was two debates, one in lincoln and 1 in omaha. 7000 people turned out for the debate in october of 1894.

15,000 people turned out for the debate in omaha. so this was a great political event for the public. bryan started out talking about the income tax. this was an important issue. this is the first income-tax in 1894. bryan had been part of that. it was a 2% flat tax on anyone making more than $4,000. so on the rich, and they started his debate with john thurston on that issue. and then you went to the union pacific railroad and its monopoly power. the issue is down on the list in 1894. it was not as significant as it would become a 1996. >> in 1895, the supreme court ruled that the income tax was unconstitutional.

a radical thing for the highest court to do, to say congress passed a law, this is not constitutional. this helped to enflame the things on brian's side. -- on bryan's side. >> and the irony that in 1913, the signing of the 17th amendment did what? >> the direct election of senators. bryan is expecting to get elected. the republican majority alexa -- elapse -- elects john thurston to be the senator from nebraska. bryan runs for president and gets the nomination and demand -- the man that he ran against was the republican committee chair for mckinley. >> does this home reflect

william jennings bryan? >> it was considered quite nice for the time. has to can see, it is well furnished. he made a lot of money speaking. it was a prize for his career. he worked here. the work here with his wife. double task that they worked on together. that is important to mention about him. he and his wife were partners in his career. often true of political wives now, but you do not think that much about the 19th century. it was certainly true of them. >> we're joined by a -- thank you very much for sharing your time. how did he use this, and how often -- how long was he in that

study writing? >> he would have used that probably daily. the study was the heart of the home. >> why don't you show us what the desk and look like. -- desk looked like. also some of the other artifacts that are on top of the desk. >> these are the partner desks that he and his wife shared. they would exchange conversation, they would compose right things and -- not writing -- that would compose a writing and letters, and they would formulate some of the positions he would want to take. >> on the top of the desk, a copy of "the commoner." why was that significant? >> it can best be stated right and a quote in a first edition.

"it would be to set aside if by kennedy to the common people and -- to satisfy it by identity to the common people and proves to its right to the name which it has chosen." >> it would be set aside if by the community to the common people. >> how does this reflect him when he moved in in 1892? -- 1902? >> this reflects the life style of mr. bryant and their family. -- of mr. bryan and their family. the most important thing came out of the restoration of this home was the role of his wife annette -- a representation in this office. >> the two sat directly across from each other and work on everything, correct? >> they certainly did. his wife was a beloved wife and help make. -- helpmate. >> how much of the material there is original?

>> very few of the pieces are original furnishings. these furnishings and this office have been collected to represent what was originally in the room based on some very fine photographs. >> he was seated in that chair, adjacent to you, would he feel comfortable, would it feel like his study at the turn a century? >> it would feel very much like his office at the turn of the century. even a cluttered desk and the open bible. >> we will check in with you, bob puschendorf, throughout the program. thank you for opening up this home to c-span cameras. we're joined from west virginia. we welcome your calls and participation. this is the third of our series looking at the life and political career of wendell -- william jennings bryan. caller: i would like you to talk about thomas nast. >> thomas nast.

>> he was a cartoonist who was responsible for the image that we have of santa claus. it was a german immigrant. very popular images that he created of the democratic balky and the republican elephant. by the time that bryan ran, how do not remember if nast is still alive or not, besides those images, he is best known for these really a fact is ridge -- relief vitriolic images of the corrupt boss of tammany hall in new york. his images of boss tweed looking like a cd devil really helped to -- seedy devil really help to bring tweed down. there was a prosecutor who was able to bring down the tweed ring. later on a democratic president

ial candidate. >> we will go now to sacramento, calif. go-ahead place. caller: my question originates from the american presidents series. during the grover cleveland episode, there was a question about what grover cleveland thought of volumes jennings bryan -- of william jennings bryan. he said that grover cleveland hating william jennings bryan and he was not able to finish. i am curious what he hated him for and if that was true. >> i will start. you can follow up. grover cleveland was a hard money democratic president. he did not like bryan's position. it was the silver at issue and the income tax that bryan had

championed in the house and helped pass. it was the breaking of the cleveland administration of the purchase act that most got the ire of clover cleveland -- of grover cleveland. >> the democratic party, of commercial interests, especially from the east where cleveland was from. people who believed in thomas jefferson and that the government should not do very much in the economy. during the depression of the 1890's, grover cleveland said that the people should support the government but the government should not support the people. this is different from what bryan believed. he was a liberal. in our parlance today. he was a democratic liberal. he believed the government should help those who could not help themselves. he wanted to reset the balance -- redress the balance between

corporate power and the power of workers and small farmers. also, cleveland had broke the strike with federal troops. the pullman strike. the cleveland attorney general was grover's attorney. for bryan, cleave the thought that he represented all that he did not like about politics. -- cleveland thought that he represented all that he did not like about politics. >> i want to use these words in that jury action. -- and get your reaction. >> they're filled with convictions and bereft of charisma who are willing to lead a charge against secular forces. >> bryan was a champion of those who needed help. he was a man of great conviction.

one of the things he was trying to do that was most difficult was to take on the economic powerful class that had emerged in american politics in a way that did not look like class for their -- class warfare. that was what was so hard for bryan to be able to do, to not appear to be a demagogue, to speak sincerely. he was trying to speak to the people without tearing down but instead attempting to build up. that was a very hard case to make. he did it beautifully but it was a very difficult attempt to repeal the inadequacies of -- to reveal the inadequacies of american society at the time without looking like someone who was just tearing down the american ideal. >> those are your words. they are parallel to someone today an american politics? -- in american politics? who would resemble a william

jennings bryan? >> i'm not sure. there are people who want to be william jennings bryan. sarah palin, might try to be. angry populist. they believe that a small greedy elite is after the majority of americans. bryan was representative of a movement. an anti-monopoly movement. a movement that people believe that corporate america was taking the country in a revolutionary direction. we have come to grips and come to peace with big business. we cannot imagine a society where that is not there. that was not true for bryan. >> we just looked at the desk that he worked with mary side by side. most businesses were like that in the 1870's and 1860's and 1850's. they were small partnerships and firms.

that time before 1896 was a time of enormous industrial growth. 0 colossal corporations. the pennsylvania railroad employing more people than the united states post office. these were corporations with enormous resources, and thomas wolfe, enormous power. -- enormous wealth, a enormous power. most people hadn't experienced of very different america, one with small partnerships. the change was arresting. bryan was speaking to that massive transition and american society and life. >> i want you to listen to the 1900 campaign in which william jennings bryan talk about the issue of transparency. knowing who is contributing to him. hear the words of william jennings bryan from the second of his three campaigns for the white house.

>> on election is a public affair. this is held for the benefit of the public and as a means through which the people select their officials. they give direction as to the policies to be adopted. there is no sound reason for secrecy in regards to campaign methods and publicity will prove in itself a purifying influence in politics. the necessity for publicity has increased because of corporations. the people of to know what influences are at work in the campaign. they will decide whether any party has made it impossible to protect the rights of the people. >> has anything changed a century later? >> that sounds like the base of citizens united. obviously, people love money. they want the government to do

the things they want the government, too. there is a lot of influence if you have a lot of money. bryan was in favor of public financing. he did not want private individuals to give any money to elections. he realized that would not fly at the time. his idea was to let least publicize the donations. let's make sure that everyone knows it is above board. for example, rockefeller wrote a check for to under $50,000. standard oil was involved. he wanted that to be known. the first campaign finance law which had passed which banned corporations from taking money -- giving money to campaigns directly. individualist could still give as much money as they wanted to. this is still something that we

argue about all the time. the court has ruled on net, but it is an issue which has certainly not died. >> william joins us from detroit. >> i had a question i wanted to ask, because i just caught the program and i wanted to understand -- william jennings bryan, was he a supporter of the gold and silver standard in currency in america? >> he wanted the money supply based on both gold and silver, which is the time what it meant that more dollars would have been in circulation. prices would have gone up, but people who produce crops would have seen their prices that they could get for their crops goal of and interest rates would have gone up because there was more

money in circulation. it sounds arcadian and -- arcane and exotic to us today. he wanted more money in people's pockets and interest rates to go down. >> he gets the nomination in 1896. he is renominated in 1900. what happened in 1904? >> democrats decided to go what they candidate that they thought could appeal to all more traditionalists electric. they nominated for someone who would only run for a judge before. a very great candidate, i think it is fair to say. he did not go around the country giving speeches. more like grover cleveland in many ways. he had some of bryan's politicians, but none of his commitment and appealed to ordinary americans. and he got killed in a landslide by teddy roosevelt.

>> and the party comes back to william jennings bryan in 1908, why? >> the party is in great need of a leader. it is a party that is divided by region, and it has had a great deal of difficulty uniting around decanted it and making its voice heard in -- of around a candidate and making its voice heard in the election. >> teddy roosevelt becomes president and then william howard taft elected in 1908. let's go back to something else that was, i guess, rather revolutionary. the debate that took place and how that occurred in 18 note -- 1908. >> it was not a debate like we have now. it was the first time in which both candidates recorded speeches on wax cylinders. you can hear scratchy renditions

of them at the library of congress. this was the original version of records. they only lasted a up to 3 minutes per you went to a studio and recorded them. bryan also sell these to campaign supporters. this is a way that you could hear bryan and taft without them having to go to speak to you directly. we take that for granted now but it was the novelty of the time. >> we will begin with the words of william howard taft, followed by william jennings bryan. >> i have known a good many people who are opposed. i have known many members there religiously choose to use that term. i did not realize the immense importance of foreign missions. the truth is, we've got to wake up in this country.

we're not the only ones in the world. there are lots of people's behind project aside as they are entitled to our sacrifice to help them on in the world. >> imperialism is the policy of an empire. an empire is a nation composed of different races living under different forms of government. a republican not be an empire because arrests of of their that government derives is just power upon that correct -- the consent of the governed. our experiment in colonialism has been unfortunate. instead of strength, as it is brought weakness. instead of glory, it is brought humiliation. >> the words of howard taft. did william jennings bryan changes at candidates from his

first race in 1996 to his third in 1908? what issues dominated? >> the key issue in 18 and 6 was the gold and silver issue and the issue of a class divisions, the regional decisions. in 1900, it was imperialism. the united states was trying to stop the philippines' independence movement from winning a war against the u.s. occupation of the islands. 1908, there were several issues. bryan tried to make powers of the trust and the corporations the issue. but taft was seen as progress of the time. been secretary of war under teddy roosevelt. in many ways, he was similar to george h.w. bush, running as the

hand-picked successor to ronald reagan. similarly, people like roosevelt attended thing, we will be safe with taft. bryan tried to use a lot of the same techniques. he went out to talk to hundreds of thousands of people, but it was not very successful. that country was populous again. times were very good. taft was popular because he was the handpicked successor to a popular president, teddy roosevelt. ryan could not get any traction. -- bryan couldn't get any traction. >> welcome to the conversation,

marie. >> how did william jennings bryan come to live in miami, florida? >> in fact, but the rotund, florida. >> mary had contracted crippling arthritis and could not live in the winter climate of nebraska any longer. miami was beginning to be a place for older people to go that could afford to. also, he had strong supporters in the south. so they had gone to me and me and stated friends' houses before. -- to miami and stayed at friends' houses before -- and you tell a story about how he tried to help bring other people to the area, including a venetian pulled it is still

there today. >> after he'd given all -- of all hope to become president, he began to make money, giving speeches for land promoters. this is not one of his more honorable ventures, perhaps, but after all, he needed to make money and he did. >> then we moved in 1912 and a democrat finally wins the white house, but it is not william jennings bryan. >> it is woodrow wilson. the democrats' struggle for some time and brian have led much of the struggle against the republican party -- bryan had lent much of the struggle against the republican party. they were able to cut what many of the issues that they have brought forward and develop their agenda as a progressive party.

bryan and the democrats had a difficult time reaching that broad middle class and convincing voters that they could bring progressive change, not radical change, but progressive change. wilson was able to do that. it was a professor at princeton. he had been governor of new jersey. he was a very moderate reformer but a progressive reformer. he was able to succeed where bryan was not. >> the only reason woodrow wilson won was because the republican party split. taft proved not to be a progressive successor to teddy roosevelt. roosevelt tried to wrestle the nomination away from taft, and then becomes the nominee of the new progressive party. if republicans had stayed united, we will not know what happened but it was possible that woodrow wilson would not

have won the election. >> jos' joins us from phoenix. good evening and welcome to the program. >> a great show and think you. how what it has something different. i wondered if that people could speak to his foreign-policy and what he thought about the spanish-american war or the european colonialism. what would the gentleman think how he would handle, for example, afghanistan and iraq and the invasions? wallace's mind set back then in terms of -- what was his mind set back and in terms of how the major colonial powers were going

into other countries and controlling them and such? what is your theory about all that? and in general, his foreign policy. the >> thank you for the call. he was our 43rd secretary of state. >> he served in the spanish- american war, but once the war ended, he opposed the occupation of the philippines. it was an anti-imperialists had a time when there was a very large and debt-imperialists contingency in the united states. he traveled around the world the whole year with his family, being financed by william randolph hearst, who wrote articles for. he went around the world and went to indonesia, then controlled by the dutch, and at each stop he denounced the

european powers that control those countries. in principle it was opposed to rich countries funding for countries. that does not mean that he was opposed to all wars. he was opposed to what he saw as an unjust war. as secretary of state, he resigned 1915 because he thought that the united states was about to enter world war i. the lusitania had been torpedoed by a german u-vote. the united states and i get into the war at that time, but he resigned because it was so opposed to the war. he thought it was an insane war that the and at the station not be a part of. >> what was his relationship like with woodrow wilson during the campaign in 1912 and in his tenure as secretary of state. >> he comes around to supporting wilson in the convention in baltimore, when he

supports and helps put wilson over the top at that time when you need 67% of delegate votes to win. ian wilson never really were close. -- key and wilson never were really close. -- he and wilson never were really close. the two did not really trust each other. wilson can get their view will at one time and was not impressed by. intelligenceryan's and interest in the world. the two were not close. bryan became secretary of state because it was a political appointment. it was not unusual for the leading figure in the party not the nominee to being nominated secretary of state by an incoming president.

one of the reasons bryan was unhappy because he did not get the responsibilities that he wanted. one thing that he did go which shows his views about war and peace, he put together peace treaties with european powers so that it would not go to war with one another. he gave each of them a little bronze plowshare with a line from isaf, be your swords into plowshares, and indian, that treaties did not stop world war one, but it was a humanitarian face to the world, one way of actually acting in more humanitarian ways. >> larry joins us from delaware. >> thank you for listening to me. i do have a religious question

about his religion. first, let me say that his efforts to level the playing field was an effort to defeat democracy. what are his fundamental christian belief, was the impact on the election results? >> we should point out that the bible is open to the book of ezekiel at his desk, directly below where we are at, we are in the parlor. but what about the role of religion in his life and his wife's life? >> one of the reason about bryant that is very important, he never really relate -- really separated religion and politics.

he called applied christianity, the social gospel. if you are a christian, you go out and save the world and help the poor and help workers, you want to level the playing field, as the caller mentioned. so his politics and religion was not separate. most were evangelical protestants at the time, but others and not so enthusiastic because it was such a crusader and he supported prohibition in 1910. he was a big supporter of became the 18th amendment to the constitution. it was a very divisive issue in american life. he came to prohibition because he wanted a pure fat the american body politic. -- he wanted to purify the american body politic.

after 1910, not many trusted him because it was a prohibitionist. >> sometimes when he was on the campaign trail, sometimes see it as many as six meals a day. he could of our six chickens at one sitting. >> if you're just getting in, this is our series where we look at 14 candidates for the presidency. all 14 lost, but in the wrong way they shaped american politics, and in many cases, resonate today with the issues that they put forward we come to you from his home in lincoln, neb., fairview which is part of the medical center here in the state capital. our phone lines are open. this is an exterior view of what the home looks like. you can see the bryanlgh medical

center. it does offer tours for those to travel through lincoln, nebraska. from palm springs, california, go ahead please. >> this is a canadian from desert springs, california. -- this is nadine from desert springs, california. i am not a mormon, this is my hobby and i researched my family. i have six to 200 names in the bible, and i like to know about buying the book are the speeches or what you have and how much it is and where they send the money. >> before you get an answer that question, who is in this photograph and what is your connection with william jennings bryan for your family research?

>> as far as i know, he is in a car in this picture, like the kodak picture? and he is in the car with what looks like a single seater what the top down. and i always thought that the other man was no one whose name i cannot remember, who did not believe in religion. >> clarence darrow? >> and i am almost 95 years old so i cannot remember his name. but i have this, and he is in my family. i have 6200 names that i have researched, on my computer. i researched them and make sure that they are my relatives. >> i want to let you stay on the line. we will try to get a phone number to get you connected with him directly.

she brings up another part of his life, dayton, tennessee, the scopes monkey trial and clarence darrow. >> how was just part in to tell me being that we've put all of his speeches from 1896 online on our digital project. if you like to use our computer to look at the speeches, there are hundreds of them. every speech he gave in that 1896 presidential campaign is online on the roads in the making, modern america website. >> all material from the series is available on-line, 14 weeks look at -- looking at a presidential contenders. michael kazin. the scopes monkey trial. >> william jennings bryan is known to a lot of americans because he was the prosecutor in

the trial in tennessee in 1925, which was prosecuting a teacher, john scopes, who was teaching the theory of evolution in high school in dayton, tennessee. what is interesting about this is that this issue is very much alive, with large number of americans believing that the bible, the book of genesis is the truth, is how the earth was formed. bryan believe that the too. one of the things he did not like about the theory of evolution was social darwinism. the survival of that that is, that might makes right, and he put out a series of lectures about evolution before the scopes trial which was entitled

"brother versus brut." -- brute." he did not understand the science very well, but he believed wrongly that the way the size was being applied by some people to have done so well and society, those who are doing well for those who should do well, who were biologically inclined to come out on top. this is one of the things he disliked about the ferry. but he was a fundamentalist and he believed that what the bible said was true. he did not like something that would counteract that. >> iconic photograph of clarence darrow and william jennings bryan in tennessee. how did they come together for this historic moment in american history? >> bryan was asked by the comte -- by the prosecution to help with the trial. they knew that if bryan help

them, this would draw a lot of attention to the case. once clarence darrow, this great defense lawyer, a labor candidate like eugene debs and many of the figures, and when he heard that bryan, a former friend, was going to work for the prosecution, he was financed the defense of scuds. you might of st. "inherit the wind, " starring spencer jury and frederic march -- spencer tracy and frederic march. scuds never went to jail. -- scopes never went to jail. he agreed to be that offended because he knew that a trial would take place someplace and tennessee. he wanted held during -- he

wanted to help bring people to dayton. >> it was broadcast nationwide on radio. >> one of the things that is so remarkable about this trial, not only that it was broadcast on the radio and tens of thousands of americans listen to it, but it was also a court room. and for bryan to defend his christianity and creationism in the court room, it was the context of the court room and cross-examination the bryan met is a difficult the to say what he really meant and what he was trying to convey about the importance of creation in his thinking, and about the central darwinists logic as he sought, which was affecting american society, as michael pointed out. it was a very difficult context in which to make that argument.

bryan spends his life and -- as a man out of context. in 1896, the contest was perfect for bryan to make a cross of gold speech. but dayton was very challenging for bryan. >> let's go to mark and arlington, texas. >> the gold standard seems to of made a comeback. we're having debates about whether it should be brought back, and others will come out arguing against the federal reserve and for the government to print its own currency. those people almost always seem to " william jennings bryan to support their argument. so he seemed to be making a comeback. are there any ways in which his

cross of gold speech is relevant to the america we live in today? >> and less good to the 1912 campaign, because even rick perry has been critical of ben bernanke. >> the gold and silver standard, the legacy of that debate was among other things, the federal reserve system. it was going to get off the gold standard eventually. brian really wanted -- what bryan and those supporting him really wanted was a more flexible situation. they were happy that have prices go up, just as the fed does today. of course we get in economic trouble like we are now, and people look for the gold

standard, for example. but i think, as a historian, in many ways one of the reasons we have been able to avoid serious economic downturns between the at that -- the great depression and now is because we have a central money supply and the fed has been able to take charge when necessary. >> one of the big issues they bryan was trying to confront with a silver issue in the gold standard was the great contraction of the american economy. he lived through a similar contraction in the american economy. it is not surprising that some of these issues are coming forward where they are right now. the difference is that bryan's efforts to broaden the money- supply firm mainly aimed at trying to rescue a class of americans who were struggling

deeply with their financial well-being in their situation. i do not see that playing out today in the same way when the gold standard is being brought up. >> representing georgetown university and at the link -- the university of nebraska. is also the author of two q the iron way -- "the iron way." >> it seems rather ironic that many of the parallels from william jennings bryan's day and today is just amazing. again we are arguing soft money versus hard money. and we do see class warfare argument, except this time the argument is coming from the rich against the poor at as opposed

to the poor against the reds. the irony in my mind is just amazing. >> who like to take that point? >> if it is interesting to look back at that time. for brian to make that argument, also about the income tax, and about the monopoly power that he saw all around and the corruption and politics, and the trust, all of those things together, he was accused by the republicans of practicing a form of demagoguery or of class warfare, of opening the door to class warfare, by even mentioning these things and bringing them up. bryan was trying to lead americans, for what he saw, to

see that the moneyed class was not looking out for their interests. but he had to frame it for a way that it did not become class warfare. americans did not want class warfare. did seen a series of strikes and the last 20 years that looked an awful lot like class warfare or something that they feared from europe, communist organizations and conflicts. that fear of class warfare is very vital to the period of the 1890 bryan is campaigning. the strike of 1877, for example, with the militia and the federal government bringing out gatling guns and mowing down american workers who are striking, that did not sit well what the american people. bryan was walking a thin line trying to raise the issue but not being accused of class warfare.

>> he moved here as an adult where he ran for congress for two terms, and became the democratic presidential nominee in 1896. he moved here and bob puschendorf is down below. how did they use the home after 1902 when they first moved here? >> an interesting combination of issues. the second floor, right above where you're sitting, was the family bedrooms and sleeping chambers. the first floor was meant primarily for entertaining. you can see the wide open spaces where they would entertain their friends. and the lower level was more of a family area. including the dining room and of course the office in which we have seen it earlier. >> as you research the uses of the sum, and the visitors, who would have been here? >> tora number of prominent

guests, woodrow wilson being one of them. but a number of social acquaintances as well as political figures with been visitors to the house. >> we talked about the name fairview, because it gave you a sense of the nebraska landscaped. now what is the home of the bryan medical center. >> he -- they said it was one of the most beautiful vistas of farm country he had ever seen. you could see the land east of lincoln and they chose their homes site in 1901 what is his legacy here in lincoln, nebraska? >> is one of the most famous sons. he is widely recognized by nebraskas and nationwide. proud that we've generated people of his stature, even

though he did not win the presidency. it was an important aspect in nebraska's political life to have such character. >> i think he brings the democratic party into nebraska's history. there were democrats here before william jennings bryan campaign, but he elevates the democratic party and its stature here in nebraska. obviously he is a major figure in nebraska's history, but a local legacy is this home and hospital. >> john joins us from san francisco as we look at the lack of political career of william jennings bryan. >> bryan defended that clue

plus klan in 1924 predict the also privately embrace the practice of lynching in the south? >> he did not defend the planned in 1924. there was a democratic convention in new york city, and it was about whether to denounce the klan by name and not. he believed that the democrats should win over knla rather than denounce them. but he certainly had supporters in theklan, but it is not fair to say that he was a supporter of klan, and he was a racist. we consider him that now. but he denounced lynching. he was a white supremacist. but i want it clarified that his racial views are not as simple as to say that he was a klansman or he was in favor of a lynching people without trial.

he supported the views of most white southerners, and most white northerners as well of the time, is that european americans were superior to other people. in that sense, he was certainly not a modern thinkers. >> he is certainly a democratic political figure in the sense, from that period, in that a broadly believes in white supremacy. he is appealing to votes in the democratic south on those grounds as well. >> he was a democrat with a small d as well as a large day. but the majority of the people in the country were white and he was mostly concerned with their welfare, it is fair to say. he did not know many black

people bring in 1896, there was a group of what we call -- some african-americans in omaha that supported him. he had them over to visit. but politically, he wanted to stay as far from that issue as he could. the 1980 -- the 1908 campaign, and the boys -- dubois wanted to support him against william howard taft, but bryan would not acknowledge him because it was afraid it to lose part of the south. >> talk is on the phone. >> this series has been fascinating and your guests are very interesting. this topic is great. i had heard it one time that "

the wizard of oz," it was an allegorical novel where william jennings bryan was depicted as the wizard. >> had either of you heard that? >> that is one of the great mysteries of american history. i've given lectures about this. it is a wonderful way to teach students about the election of 1896. different figures in the first oz no corresponding to people in that campaign. but if you look at his by are free, it does not bear out. -- biography, it does not bear out. to him, the artifice of the design of the department store window was one way he thought american society developed. to him, q q the wizard of oz"

was a symbol of commercial art as. ryan would have been surprised by that allegorical meaning that people found in the first story, even though it is an entertaining way to look at it. >> let me throw another parallel on the table. karl rove talked about the mckinley campaign and how he tried to take some of the lessons from that campaign to george steny bush in 2000. >> one of the things in that campaign, it established the republican party and presidential elections, and most congressional alexians as well as the majority party. there is no majority party from 1868 until 1896. but karl rove wanted to do was produce a new republican majority based on what he would have seen as the most 4-looking for the business community and also a pretty heterogeneous

group of medical and class american voters. he wanted to do that by including a large group. mckinley tried to appeal to european immigrants at the time, a very large expanding group and the population. he was able to an 1896 in 1900 to win over german voters who have been democrats before, but they mostly became rubble cup -- republicans for various reasons. mark hanna, the rosario of , produce thiseer new republican majority. it did not happen and george w. bush was not as successful president as william mckinley. >> we come from lincoln, nebraska and where william jennings bryan certification two

terms in the state house of house of representatives. frank joins us from salem, illinois. the home town -- the birthplace of william jennings bryan. >> yes, we have most places open to the public, if you call in advance. [laughter] how much influence didn't he have been giving his brother nominated in 1924 to be the vice-presidential candidate? >> that as a sidelight that many people did not know about. the governor of nebraska then, on him for giving his first name. charles bryan, the brother of william jennings bryan, he was

coming out of a tumultuous convention in 1944. it was notable because of his name, and at that time william jennings bryan was a very divisive figure in the party. partly because of the clan debate and partly for other reasons. but the bryan name was still something that democrats hoped would help them win a lot rural votes, especially in the midwest, who they thought would go to an independent candidate for president. charles bryan in the 24, a his nomination was an attempt by the democrats to keep some of the progressive farm vote on this side. for the most part it did not succeed. >> eastern pennsylvania as we look more at the study of william jennings bryan.

>> gentlemen, very interesting talk. instead of william jennings bryan was a fundamentalist and a progressive. i believe states like kansas and nebraska, which have large fundamentalist cause -- populations, or also during his stay very progressive and. today they are extremely conservative. plan happen? what caused this change? >> will thomas? >> that is a great tom -- great question. the progressivism that bryan espoused had a great deal to do with the economic conditions of his day. the prosperity they came forward in american life changed that in the 20th century in ways that bryan could not have predicted. in terms of today's conservative islam, bryan also foreshadow

some of that in his -- conservatism, bryan also foreshadow some of that in his faith, but it was based around the social gospel movement of an applied christianity, helping those in the cities, helping those in need, in that branch -- in that branch of christian thought and experience did not grow in the same way as the fundamentalist movement. change is one quick question before we could austin. another thing to think about is both liberalism and conservatism has changed their postures toward active christianity in public life. liberals generally, especially white liberals, got soured on public release theosophy and

became more identified with a more pluralistic, secular kind of religious landscape. whereas conservatives, particularly evangelicals, became identified with christian right in the 1970's. arertion and gay marriage yo those kinds of issues. >> michael kazin passbook and will thomas's, and chris you have been so patient. >> think you for taking my call. bryan was a populist in both ways, in economics and social issues. socialism, it meant conservatism.

it seems that there is no outlet for that between the two major parties today. but i was thinking that there is actually a big constituency for that, if there was a valid for. i wanted to attack or to get there was an outlet for it. -- if there was an outlet for it. i wanted to get your take on it. >> every politician today, whatever there is theological position, they have to appear to be a religious person when they go to church and not. in that sense, everyone who has the chance to become president is a religious person. and so far, a christian. but i think though that most

people on the liberal side of politics mistrust people who talk too much about their religion in politics. and most of the conservative side want that religious talk to be focused primarily, i think, on issues of personal piety, personal responsibility, abortion, same-sex marriage, stem cells and so forth. the kind of social christianity the many christian democrats in europe sets forth. i do not see that really as a real possibility in the near future. one figure in martin luther king jr. was very left-wing in economics, but it was an

invention local minister the same time. -- an evangelical minister at the same time. we have a national holiday for someone who did try to put together a very conservative sense of biblical truth and also the very left-wing believe about economic issues. >> and the connection between william jennings bryan and harbor day, what is it? >> discussed of nebraska, again. -- and arbor day, when it is aggression mark -- what is it? >> it goes to nebraska again. it was a way to bring more business to this part of a plane. >> from washington, good

evening. >> my question was about the australian ballot, or the secret ballot of 1896, 1900, 1908. did bryan never talk about the need for secret ballots? anecdotally where employers make sure that employees road in the mckinley in things like that. -- rest in the mckinley and things like that very -- wrote in mckinley in things like that. >> it was not a major issue became upping contexts like the potential corruption of companies that would bring in voters to vote for elections, or would require voters to vote in a certain way and these accusations are made especially

in nebraska of one railroad. it brought them into all mom and lincoln and told them which way to vote. that kind of activity led to politicians like bryan and others to objected to call for the kind of secret ballot bill allow individuals to vote for who they wanted without the pressure of corporate interests in the election. in our next caller from reno, nevada. >> [unintelligible] >> are you with us? we would try one more time grid we're getting some feedback. let's go to nancy joining us from another town important to william jennings bryan, dayton,

tennessee. >> i am from dayton, tennessee. home of the scopes trial. i am not old enough to remember it. but i know several people that were there and it was a carnival-like, and the table where it all started in as i understand it started as let's do something exciting or unusual, let's do this. so that is how it got started. and the older people have told me that dayton has grown into a booming little to them. -- town. it has a play on the

anniversary of the trial, and it is a very interesting place for people to come from all over the united states to see. i just wanted to say that we were known as the monkey town for a long time but now we are know as home of the scopes trial. i cannot know william jennings bryan, but i did made clarence darrow -- meet clarence darrow at t held for him by the women of dayton. we're glad that it happened there, and as i was told, it was kind of started for chattanooga, and chattanooga did not want, so they decided to bring it to dayton. it has brought much economy to the city of dayton.

>> thank you for calling in sharing your firsthand account to that famous trial. >> talk about tourism, there is a very good museum in the basement of the court house in dayton, tennessee, about the trial and discussion of it around the world or you can also visit the courtroom itself. i sat in the judge's chair. but the famous cross examination, darrow cross- examining bryan, it was actually held on the lawn outside. 2000 people were probably in attendance listening to and watching the cross-examination. we do not have that kind of trial today. but it was, as he said, a carnival and it did help the economy of dayton a good deal because it needed it at the time. >> talking about the

prohibition of the income-tax and the popular election of the u.s. senators. legacy and michael kazin handles this beautifully in his book, the legacy is damaged by the end of the scopes trial and in particular h.l. mencken's obituary of bryan. it depicts him as a bumbling back-country misguided figure in 1924 and 1925. his legacy is tarnished, really, at the end of his career by this. book, it recovers his legacy beautifully. all the reforms that he championed, women's rights in particular, the right to vote. it was an active issue in the 1870's and 18 80s, and 1890's. bryan was at the forefront of

it, and other issues that you mention in which he was deeply involved from the beginning. >> one of the things it is important that in many ways with our bryan, you did not get wilson or roosevelt. he was a major figure into remaking the democratic party into one that we got today. he forges for the first time in 1908 are a great relationship between organized labor at the democratic party, for the most part which has remained of the last century between that movement in that party. it was that the only figure who did this, but he was a key figure in the 1890's in making the democratic party into the party that you think of it today.

dealing with the strongest of working people, people were down on their luck. that is a very important legacy that he does that take credit for. >> had been elected president, what kind of president what he had been? to in a very good one, actually. his skill was is an agitator and someone who could put forward ideas, rally people to support those ideas. it would probably not have been a good administrator. as president, he would of been a very divisive figure in very difficult for him to work directly with the opposition party in congress. >> mark joins us from dallas. did joseph800's, blackburn run against william jennings bryan for the nomination and if he'd tie with him?

>> blackburn got a few of those of most rallied around bryan. it was not really a close contest. that was unusual because conventions back in that day were contemptuous affairs. -- contentious affairs. but the time they would get there, they would know who the nomination will go to. >> in 1984, mario cuomo delivers a speech that propels him to the national stage. and then barack obama delivers a speech that compels him to the presidency, some people said. >> obama in that sense is certainly a parallel. he was better known in 1896 to

americans than obama was in 2004. which might seem surprising, given all the media that we had feared that he had gone all over the country. -- that we have. but he had gone over the country. lyndon johnson put the democratic party into support of civil rights, which they never had been before. to do what about today, other parallels to other modern politicians? >> i think obama's speech in that way is similar. it vaulted into national prominence. bryan it already achieved much of that, but the sense of party unity that both of them brought to the speeches and the kind of

sincerity and speaking across the broad range of public and speaking outside of their party as well, both of them are able to do that in those settings. they are different in other ways but there is a similarity. >> william thomas is the chair of the history department. the university of nebraska in lincoln. michael kazin teaches history at georgetown university. >> i started researching my book around 1986, and it was published in 2006. trichet we thank you for your perspective on the life and career of william jennings bryan. our thanks to the staff here at the william jennings bryan home and to the staff and the administration at the bryanlgh medical center which makes up the campus that we are out, part of the bryan home, often called fairview. we will hear more of the words of william jennings bryan and

you can check it out of line at c-span.org. in the words of william jennings bryan, what mail -- what made an ideal republic? >> resting securely upon the foundation of a revolutionary patriots, proclaiming to the world the self-evident process -- propositions that all men are created equal, that they are endowed with inalienable rights, that governments are instituted among men to secure these rights, and that government derives its just power from the consent of the governed. the holder republic in which civil and religious liberty uplifted for never century. >> the train profiles of key figures here run for president and lost, but changed political

history nevertheless. you can see tonight's program again sunday at 10:30 a.m. eastern. our live leggett "the contenders" continues as friday when we travel to talk with historians and take your calls about the presidential campaign of eugene debs. the series airs live every night at 8:00 p.m. eastern -- every friday night at 8:00 p.m. eastern here on c-span. go to our website to find a schedule, biographies, historians appraisals, and portions of speeches when available. that is all at c- span.org/thecontenders. next, a united nations speech by iraqi president talibani. then it will put a gloss on palestine's application for text -- for statehood.

then israeli prime minister netanyahu. in a speech to the general assembly, jalal talabani supports statehood for the palestinian people. the iraqi president also spoke about security and economic stability in this country. his remarks about 20 minutes. >> mr. president, allow me to congratulate you and our brothers, the people of qatar, on the occasion of your presidency of the 66th session of the general assembly. our delegation will be of assistance to you in performing your duties, and we're confident that the experience and wisdom will be an important factor in the success of the general assembly. our thanks also go to your

ess,ecessor, mr. joseph dic for his presidency of the general assembly in its outgoing session. i would also like to congratulate the un secretary general mr. ban ki-moon on his re-election for a second term as secretary general and wish him all success in his work. mr. president, it is an honor to stand in front of you one more time, to brief you and the notable developments that iraq is witnessing as it works on building of modern state that lives in peace with its people and neighbors. iraq is building a homeland where everyone lives in peace and stability, regardless of sectarian, ethnic, or factional affiliations.

a system where the rule of law prevails and human rights are respected. and this system that is based on democracy and the peaceful transition of power. this is the basis for a path on which we embarked and continually implementing. the events that are currently taking place in the arab region have proved the correct choice that we of allah and are now following. the values of change and reform, which iraq has and will always continue to call for, has become an essential part of the aspirations of the arab people for freedom and for their ability to choose their political system, a system of their own will on the basis of democracy and human rights. we've come a long way in the building of our political system, which is based on the national collaboration.

iraq has started to restore its elements of strength at the lost due to more than three decades of internal and external wars conducted by the former dictatorship. and the international isolation and sanctions that iraq experienced. as well as the collapse of security institutions and the outbreak of sectarian strife that threatened its national existence after the collapse of the former regime. we began to overcome these negativities and they became history thanks to our determination and the help of the international committee. in the area of development, having witnessed the biggest improvement in the security situation in iraq, we still rely on the five year plan for the years 2010-2014 announced by the government of iraq on april 4,

2010, and a licensing rounds held between iraq and major companies in oil and natural gas developments to improve our oil industry. this was done to spin the wheels of development and push the economy to advanced levels. as expected, the direct five- year plan will include about 2 in the 700 strategic projects in different sectors with the cost of $186 billion. the plan would provide about 4 million job opportunities that will help deal with the unemployment problem in iraq. it is hoped that by the end of this plan, the per-capita income of the iraqi individual would increase to $8,000 per year and poverty levels would decrease by 16%.

in addition, we were able to get rid of this nation's and restrictions imposed on iraq as a result of the invasion of kuwait. based on security council resolution 1956, 1957, and 1958, adopted on december 15, 2010, iraq has been liberated completely from all the restrictions imposed on it which prevented the country from taking advantage of scientific and technological advances, and iraq has gained its sovereignty and regardless of its resources. after this important stage of building the state, we feel the we're taking firm steps on the road to democracy and development and that the rigid in that we are opening the doors wide open for investment in a record there for the economic policy of iraq is based on

encouraging investments and providing the appropriate legislative environment to protect investors and their capital, so iraq can become a safe and fertile investing environment in many essential sectors, such as oil and natural gas, electricity, reconstruction, infrastructure, and other economic sectors. from the stage a call on all countries to open collaboration channels with iraq in the field of investment to take advantage from the available opportunities. iraqi kurdistan has witnessed important developments. thousands of villages that were destroyed by the dictatorship -- the former regime were built. cities, towns and roadways were modernized. the region has more than 15 public and private universities with more than 100,000 students, in comparison the past where we only have one university with

under a 2000 students. at the end of this year, the united states forces will withdraw according to the agreement signed between the two countries in 2008. during this year, ours to give it forces proved great ability to combat terrorism and provide security. these forces are capable and efficient to fill the vacuum that the withdrawal of the united states forces will create. and i will promote the iraqi national abilities to keep the gains achieved in the new iraq. however, the need will push the government ever rack to keep numbers of american experts and others to benefit from their experience in the fields of training and capacity building, in accordance with iraq's needs. on this occasion, i would like to express on behalf of the

government of iraq, how are things, that government and people of iraq, rather, for the appreciation of the assistance and support they provided assistance to the iraqi people and government. i avail myself of the opportunity to be here in new york to express to the people of new york into wall americans the feelings of sympathy and solidarity on the 10th anniversary for the terrorist attacks in september. on iraq's continuing international en route -- regional relations, the constitution of iraq and a national program for the current iraqi government determined the general basis of our farm policy. it provides that iraq is that finding -- a founding and effective member in the league of arab states and it is obligated with its charter in addition to that iraq is part of

the islamic world. iraq is working to host the arab summit at the end of march 2012. moreover, iraq respects the principles of good neighborliness and is obliged to not interfere in the internet -- the internal affairs, seek to solve the disputes with peaceful means, establish relations on the basis of common interest and reference of -- reciprocity and respect its international obligations, and on this basis we invite the two neighbors turkey and the islamic republic of iran to resort to diplomacy and positive dialogue to solve the issues and to stop the bombing of iraqi territories in the kurdistan region which is causing many victims from the innocents and civilians. that take the opportunity to

thank him for relieving the two prisoners in iran. the constitution of iraq was clear in the determination of the position of iraq concerning this issue, or call 9-eve of the iraqi constitution provides that the iraqi government shall respect and implement iraq's international obligations on non-proliferation, not development, non-production, and non-use of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and job provide associated equipment, materiel, technologies, and and deliver systems for use in the development, manufacture, production, and use of such weapons. on this clear position and commitment of iraq with the international charter's concerning disarmament, the security council adopted on december 15, 2010, resolution

1957 which lifted all restrictions that were imposed on iraq. we would like to confirm the legitimate right of states to peaceful use of nuclear power and its technologies according to the rules of the relevant international conventions. this right constitute one of the foundations for the disarmament system and non proliferation. within this approach, and with regard to the nuclear issue of the republic of iran, we believe that -- in the lids a right of states in using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. this right is guaranteed by international charters. at the forefront of those charters is the non-

proliferation treaty. we affirm the importance of reaching a peaceful solution in dealing with this issue, dialogue and calm diplomatic work are the best ways to achieve this goal. on the other hand, any escalation will harm the interest of all parties and will put the security of the region at great risk. iraq is concerned about the tragic situation of the palestinian people which the result of israeli practices which are incompatible with international law and customs and international humanitarian law. iraq is doing everything in its powers to support the structure of the palestinian people in getting all its inalienable rights, and in particular to establish its independent state on their homeland. with its capital in jerusalem. and in this regard iraq endorses and supports the direction of the palestinian authority to go to the in added nations to achieve full international recognition of palestinian state

during the meetings of the current session of the general assembly and calls on the international community and all peace-loving forces to stand by the palestinian people in their legitimate struggle to achieve its goals and demanding the israeli government to fully withdraw from all arab territories occupied in 1967. that would contribute to the settlement of the arab-israeli conflict, and bring comprehensive and fair peace in this vital region of the world. making the middle east an area that is free from weapons of mass destruction is a vital matter to achieve peace, security and stability, and this requires israel to join the non- proliferation treaty and to put its nuclear facilities under the safeguards systems of the international atomic energy agency. this is unprecedented reforms and political changes in the countries of the arab world, affecting the future of the

whole region. and it will extend to areas beyond their effects. iraq is an early actor in supporting this struggle of the people the region in order to be gain their freedom to choose their political system and their right to peaceful demonstrations and protests in the so-called arab spring. we hope that these changes will contribute to regional stability and security and to avoid any threat to the unity and sovereignty of the countries of the region, or stirs strife or sectarian or ethnic conflicts. iraq will work to develop cooperation with all countries that stood with it and supported us in the stability of the ongoing political process and reconstruction. we refer here to get data sets of america and to the european union when we mention these two parties, we mentioned them not

because they are the only ones that stood with iraq, but because we are linked by mechanisms of action that should be implemented there are many friends who stood with us in the difficult times we have witnessed, and we will keep and develop this favor, and we will develop relations of cooperation with them. after withdrawal of the united states forces from iraq by the end of this year, we will work to stance -- to enhance and expand the scope of cooperation based on the strategic framework agreement signed between the two countries in 2008, the relations according to this agreement will be for long term and will cover all losses allied. the situation is that -- the situation is the same with the european union. after finishing the draft of the partnership and cooperation

agreement between iraq and the european union and the possible signing of the agreement in the near future and the signing of the memorandum of understanding on the strategic partnership in that field of energy between iraq and the european union. the cooperation between the two parties will take scope in various fields covered by this crime occurred are economic, commercial, and political relations with the people's republic of china are expanding. our relations with neighboring countries, arab countries, india, and pakistan are also improving. in the areas of the relationship with the united nations, we will continue the approach of constructive cooperation with all united nations bodies, if in the forefront of these the security council and the general secretariat and will keep the commitments which we made to ourselves. auletta take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the efforts made by the special representative of the secretary

general, mr. ed melkert a threat as time and are at, and we wish him success in good health. we will continue to cooperate with him in a way that will enable him to carry out his tasks in accordance with the resolution 1770 and the subsequent resolutions. united nations assistance mission for iraq will receive all forms of support and assistance and in particular during the next phase, we will do our best to provide the necessary protection to its staff and premises. mr. president, we look forward with confidence and optimism to the future, and we're working to make iraq and emerging democracy, a country that brings a richness in natural and human resources, an important factor in regional stability, security, and prosperity and as a dimming -- a living example of democracy and federalism,

voluntary coexistence of different ethnic and sectarian groups. i think you for your kind attention. >> palestinian territories president mahmoud abbas is submitted a formal request awful united nations membership, calling on the security council to vote in favor of membership. he declared that the palestinian liberation organization is ready to go back to the table immediately, but said they are meaningless as long as israelis continue to build on land claimed by the palestinians. his remarks about 40 minutes. >> in the name of god was gracious, most merciful, mr. secretary-general of the united nations, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, at the outset, i extend my congratulations to his excellency mr. nassir of past thus far to mr. nassir on his

assumption to of the presidency of the assembly for the session and i wish him to success. today i extend my sincere congratulations on behalf of the palestine liberation organization and the palestinian people to the government and people of south sudan for its deserved and mission as a full member -- and mission as a full member of united nations, wishing them progress and prosperity. i also congratulate the secretary-general, his excellency mr. ban ki-moon for his election for a new term at the helm of the united nations for this renewal of confidence reflects the world appreciation for his efforts, which have strengthened the roles of the united nations.

excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the question of palestine is intricately linked with united nations with the resolutions adopted by its various organs and agencies and by the essential and lauded role of united nations relief and works agency for palestine refugees and in areas which embodies the international responsibility towards the plight of palestine refugees, the or the victim of a catastrophe that occurred in 1948. we aspire for and seek a greater and more active role for the united nations in working to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in our region that ensures the inalienable, legitimate national rights of the palestinian people as defined by the resolutions of international legitimacy of the united nations.

mr. president, ladenism chairman, a year ago, at the same time, as in this hall, delegations addressed the stalled peace efforts in our region. everyone had high ropes -- high hopes for a new round of final status negotiations, which had begun in early september in washington under the direct auspices of president barack obama and with the but dissipation of the international quartet, as well as egypt and jordan. with don -- within one year, to reach a peace agreement. we entered those of negotiations with open hearts and attentive ears, and sincere intentions,

and we were ready with our documents, our papers, in our proposals. but the negotiations broke down just weeks after their launch. after this, we did not give up and did not cease our efforts for initiatives and contacts. of the past year we did not leave a door to be knocked or channel to be pursued for a path to be taken -- or a path to be taken, and we did not ignore any formal or informal party of influence and stature to be it a dress parade we consider the various ideas and proposals and initiatives presented from many countries and parties. but all of these sincere efforts and endeavors undertaken by international parties were

repeatedly smashed against the rocks by the positions of the israeli government, which quickly dashed the hopes raised by the launch of negotiations led september. the core issue here is that the israeli government refuses to commit to terms of reference for the negotiations that are based on international law and u.n. resolutions, and that it frantically continues to intensify building settlements on the territory of the state of the -- of the future state of palestine. settlement activities embody the core of the policy of colonial military occupation of the land of the palestinian people and all of the brutality of aggression and racial discrimination against our

people that this policy entails. this policy which constitutes a breach of an international humanitarian law and u.n. resolutions is the primary cause for the failure of the peace process. the collapse of dozens of opportunities, and the burial of the great hopes that arose from the signing of the declaration of principles in 1993 between the palestine liberation organization and israel to achieve a just peace that would began a new era for our region. the reports of united nations missions as well as by reports by several israeli institutions and civil societies convey a horrific picture about the size of the settlement campaign, which is the israeli government does not hasted date to boast about -- does not hesitate to

boast about, and which it continues to execute through the systematic confiscation of palestinian land and construction of thousands of new settlement units in various areas of the west bank, particularly in part of jerusalem, and the accelerated construction of the annexation wall that is eating up large tracts of our land, dividing it into separate and isolated islands and cantons, destroying family life and communities and the livelihood of tens of thousands of families. the occupying power also continues to refuse permits for our people to build an occupied east jerusalem. at the same time it intensifies its decades-long campaign of

demolition and confiscation of homes, displacing palestinian owners and residents under a multi prong policy of at the cleansing aimed at pushing them away from their ancestral homeland. in addition, orders have been issued to deport elected representatives from the city of. the occupying power also continues to undertake excavations that threaten our holy places, and its military checkpoints prevent our citizens from getting access debt -- a task that -- access to their mosques and churches, and it continues to besiege the holy city with a ring of settlements imposed to separate the holy city from the rest of the palestinian cities. the occupation is racing against

time to redraw the borders on our land according to what it wants and impose a fait accompli on the ground that changes the realities and undermines their realistic potential for the existence for the rise of the state of palestine. at the same time, the occupying power continues to impose a strict blockade and targeting people. airstrikes, artillery. this war of aggression happened three years ago which, -- homes, hospitals, and mosques. thousands of marchers.

and also continues its encouragement in areas of national authority to the killing at the checkpoints. in recent years, the criminal action of the armed settlement militias, who enjoyed special protection, these actions have been testified and there are frequent attacks, hurting the schools, universities, mosques crops and trees. today, they killed one palestinian. the occupying israeli authorities have not acted -- we hold them responsible for the crimes.

these are but a few examples of the policy of the israeli colonial -- this is primarily responsible for the international attempts to stop them. this policy will destroy the chances of achieving a two- state solution, upon which there is an international consensus. i caution them about this. this threatens to undermine the palestinian national authority and even end its existence. we now face the imposition of new conditions that have not

previously been raised. the raging conflict in our region. a million and a half palestinians. we reject what is impossible for us to accept. the actions taken by israel and our country and a series of unilateral actions that aim to entrench occupation. they have the administrative and military authority in the west bank. it is the military authority that determines the right on

wheter to resign in any area of palestinian land. israel is the one that the sides. they speak of unilateral -- despite our agreement, ladies and gentlemen, in 1974, are deceased leader yasser arafat -- [applause]

he assured the members of the general assembly, he urged the united nations to recognize the inalienable rights of the palestinians. do not let the olive branch fall from my hands. do not let the olive branch fall from my hands. president arafat again addressed the assembly. the palestinian people adopted the session held that same year in algeria. when we adopted this program, we were taking a painful and very difficult step for all of us. especially those, including

myself, that lost their home, their towns, and their villages, carrying some of our belongings. and the keys to our homes. the diaspora in 1948. one of the worst operations of removal of a vibrant and cohesive society. the cultural, education, an economic renaissance of the arab middle east. because of our conviction, and because we have the courage to make difficult decisions, we have decided to adopt the path

of relativism. that is the correct part of this great historic -- against our people. only 22% of the territory of historic palestine. our goal is the territory occupied by israel in 1967. we made a major concession in order to achieve a historic compromise that would allow peace to be made. from the madrid conference, to the washington solution, to the

agreement signed 18 years ago in the white house garden. there was mutual recognition. the palestine liberation organization and israel. all efforts aimed at the establishment of a lasting peace agreement. that is the initiative at every conference. every new round of negotiations and every movement shattered on the rock of the israeli settlement expansion protest. i confirm, on behalf of the palestine liberation organization, as a

representative of the palestinian people, we want the end of the conflict at all of this action. the goal of the palestinian people is the realization of the inalienable right -- jerusalem, all of the land of the west bank, including the gaza strip, which was occupied in the 1967 war. this is in accordance with resolution 194. the arab peace initiative, which was the consensus. the comprehensive peace that we are committed and will work

towards. to this, we adhere, achieving this desire peace requires the release of political freedom. palestinians need to be released from israeli prisons without delay. number two. the palestinian liberation organization but here to there -- a condemnation of terrorism, especially state terrorism.

state terrorism -- it adheres to all agreements signed between the plo and israel. we adhere to the options of negotiating with the conflict. in accordance with international of lit -- international legitimacy. i want to return immediately, based on international legitimacy and the settlement activity. we will continue resistance and continue this popular peace -->> -- peaceful resistance to the israeli settlements -- they receive settlement, which

is consistent with international law and has the support from israel. reflecting an impressive, inspired, and great example of the people. this has courage, hope, that goes beyond tear gas and bulldozers. when we bring our fight to this international podium, the confirmation of our alliance and the confirmation of actual steps.

our efforts are not aimed at isolating israel or delegitimizing it. we only aim to delegitimize the settlement activity, the apartheid, i think all people stand with us in this regard. on behalf of the palestinian libera's station organization -- liberation organization, we extend this to the israeli people. urgently to gather for a future

for our children. let us build the bridges of dialogue instead of checkpoints. let's build this based on equity between two neighboring states. mr. president, ladies and gentlemen, despite the unquestionable rights of self- determination an international solution, over the past few years we need to be engaged -- over the past two years we have tried to build our state institutions. despite the extraordinary situation, a serious issue was launched.

this is important for order. the financial end oversight system. and the reliance in order to review the need for foreign aid. a number of large infrastructure projects have been implemented. special attention to marginalized areas. in the midst of this massive

national protest, we will be strengthening what we thought to be the futures of our state. from the preservation for the citizen to the promotion of authorities, to strengthening be role of women, to ensuring -- to institutionalizing rules and regulations, issuing accountability, is the work of our ministry. this is the basis for the palestinian political life. when division struck the unity of our homeland and our

institutions, we were determined to adopt a dialogue based on this. we succeeded in achieving national reconciliation. we hope that the implementation will be accelerated in the coming weeks. this will return to the people. and for the elections to be conducted. it would be a state characterized by the rule of law. this was issued recently by the lay eyes on a committee.

the world bank and the international monetary fund. they have confirmed an unloaded the complication. this has an unprecedented model. the consensus conclusion of the committee a few days ago in this city describes what we have accomplished. a remarkable international success story. the people and their institutions with immediate independence. that was the statement of the international community.

and do not believe that anybody in with a shred of conscious would detract our applications for full membership of the imaginations. -- united nations. [applause] mr. president, it is no longer acceptable to use the same means and methods that have been tried over the past years. it is far more dangerous to be circumvented.

it is not possible or tactical to go into negotiations without the parameters and the absence of credibility, negotiations would be meaningless as long as the occupation army continues to intrenched its occupation and continues to change the democracy of our country to create a new basis for supporters. this is unacceptable. [applause]

ladies and gentlemen, this is a moment of truth. our people are waiting to hear the answer. how will it allow israel the -- last occupation in the world? we're the last to be under occupation. will it allow israel to continue and the international courts and the positions of the overwhelming majority of countries. mr. president, part of the

crisis in our area -- those who believe that we are people, and unwanted people or those who believe there is a state that needs to be established. [applause] mr. president, i come before you today from the holy land, the land of divine messages from the profit of comment, peace be upon -- prophet mohammed,

peace be upon him. you. jesus christ, peace be upon him. to say after years of soft -- suffering, enough, enough, enough. [applause] it is time for the palestinian people to gain their freedom and independence. the time has come to end the suffering of millions of palestinian refugees in their homeland. to end their displacement and -- some of whom had to take their fortune in different places. at a time when the people off from their desire for -- affirm their desire for independence,

the time has come for the palestinians to take independence. [applause] the time has come for our men, women, and children to live normal lives. for them to be able to see without waiting for the worst that the next day to bring. for mothers to be reassured their children and will return home without fear of being killed or arrested. for students to be able to go to school and university without checkpoint obstructing them. the time has come for people to be able to live life normally as farmers, to be able to take care of their plans without fear of the occupation. the war prevent access to it.

they have a guard dogs to attack the palestinians. they have been on our land and burned everything that had existed for hundreds of years. the time has come for the thousands of protestors -- prisoners to return to their families and children to become a part of building their homeland for the freedom of which they have sacrificed so much. my people desire to enjoy a normal life like the rest of humanity. they believe in what our great poet said, [applause]

"standing here, eternal here, we have one rule, one rule, to be, and we shall be." [applause] ladies and gentleman, we appreciate and value the positions of all states that have supported our struggle and our rights and recognize following the declaration of independence in 1988 as well of the countries that have recognized palestine and our representation. i also salute the citizen

general who said a few days ago that the palestinian state should have been established years ago. [applause] be assured that this support of our people is more valuable than you can imagine. someone is listening. it does not ignore the tragedy and the occupation. it reinforces their hopes that stems from the belief that justice is possible in this world. " is the -- hope is the

strongest ally. the time has come for my people after decades of displacement and occupation to cease -- and ceaseless suffering and to live like other people of the earth, in a sovereign and independent homeland. [applause] mr. president, i would like to inform you that before delivering the statement in my capacity as president and chairman of the executive committee of palestine and submit to his excellency secretary general of the united

nations an application for the admission of palestine based on the borders of the june 1967 as a full member of the night of nations. -- united nations. [applause] [cheers]

i call upon mr. secretary- general to expedite transmittal of our request to the security council, and i call upon the distinguished members of the security council to vote in favor of our full membership. i also call upon the states that did not recognized the state of palestine as yet to do so. excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the support of the countries of the world for our endeavor is a victory for truth, freedom, justice, law and international legitimacy, and it provides tremendous support for the peace option and enhances the chances of success of the negotiations. excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, your support for the

establishment of the state of palestine and for its admission to the united nations as a full member is the greatest contribution to peacemaking in the holy land. i thank you. i carry a message that palestine is being reborn. may all the people of the world stand with the people of palestine with freedom, with independence, right now. and i hope we shall not wait for long. thank you. [applause]

>> israeli prime minister and benjamin netanyahu is urging motta's to meet with him at the united nations for direct will negotiations for middle east peace. he said that they should first make peace with israel and then have their state. he said that israel wants peace but it cannot happen without direct negotiations. his remarks about 40 minutes. >> thank you. i invite you to speak before the general assembly. >> thank you, mr. president. ladies and gentlemen, israel has extended its hand in peace from the moment it was

established 63 years ago. on behalf of israel and the jewish people, i extend that hand again today. i extend it to the people of egypt and jordan, with renewed friendship for neighbors with whom we have made peace. i extend it to the people of turkey, with respect and good will. i extend it to the people of libya and tunisia, with admiration for those trying to build a democratic future. i extend it to the other peoples of north africa and the arabian peninsula, with whom we want to forge a new beginning. i extend it to the people of syria, lebanon and iran, with

awe at the courage of those fighting brutal repression. but most especially, i extend my hand to the palestinian people, with whom we seek a just and lasting peace. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, in israel our hope for peace never wanes. our scientists, doctors, innovators, apply their genius to improve the world of tomorrow. our artists, our writers, enrich the heritage of humanity.

now, i know that this is not exactly the image of israel that is often portrayed in this hall. after all, it was here in 1975 that the age-old yearning of my people to restore our national life in our ancient biblical homeland -- it was then that this was braided -- branded, rather -- shamefully, as racism. and it was here in 1980, right here, that the historic peace agreement between israel and egypt wasn't praised -- it was denounced! yeart's here year after

that israel is unjustly singled out for condemnation. it's singled out for condemnation more often than all the nations of the world combined. twenty-one out of the 27 general assembly resolutions condemn israel -- the one true democracy in the middle east. well, this is an unfortunate part of the u.n. institution. it's the -- the theater of the absurd. it doesn't only cast israel as the villain, it often casts real villains in leading roles -- gaddafi's libya chaired the u.n. commission on human rights. saddam's iraq headed the u.n. committee on disarmament.

themight say -- that's past. well, here's what's happening now -- right now, today. hezbollah-controlled lebanon now presides over the u.n. security council. this means, in effect, that a terror organization presides over the body entrusted with guaranteeing the world's security. you couldn't make this thing up. so here in the u.n., automatic majorities can decide anything. they can decide that the sun sets in the west or rises in the west. i think the first has already been pre-ordained. but they can also decide -- they have decided that the western wall in jerusalem, judaism's holiest place, is occupied palestinian territory. and yet even here in the general assembly, the truth can

sometimes break through. in 1984 when i was appointed israel's ambassador to the united nations, i visited the great rabbi of lubavich. he said to me -- and ladies and gentlemen, i don't want any of you to be offended because from personal experience of serving here, i know there are many honorable men and women, many capable and decent people serving their nations here. but here's what the rebbe said to me. he said to me, you'll be serving in a house of many lies. and then he said, remember that even in the darkest place, the light of a single candle can be

seen far and wide. today i hope that the light of truth will shine, if only for a few minutes, in a hall that for too long has been a place of darkness for my country. so as israel's prime minister, i didn't come here to win applause. i came here to speak the truth. the truth is -- the truth is that israel wants peace. the truth is that i want peace. the truth is that in the middle east at all times, but especially during these turbulent days, peace must be anchored in security. the truth is that we cannot achieve peace through u.n. resolutions, but only through direct negotiations between the parties. the truth is that so far the palestinians have refused to

negotiate. the truth is that israel wants peace with a palestinian state, but the palestinians want a state without peace. and the truth is you shouldn't let that happen. ladies and gentlemen, when i first came here 27 years ago, the world was divided between east and west. since then the cold war ended, great civilizations have risen from centuries of slumber, hundreds of millions have been lifted out of poverty, countless more are poised to follow, and the remarkable thing is that so far this monumental historic shift has largely occurred peacefully. yet a malignancy is now growing

between east and west that threatens the peace of all. it seeks not to liberate, but to enslave, not to build, but to destroy. that malignancy is militant islam. it cloaks itself in the mantle of a great faith, yet it murders jews, christians and muslims alike with unforgiving impartiality. on september 11th it killed thousands of americans, and it left the twin towers in smoldering ruins. last night i laid a wreath on the 9/11 memorial. it was deeply moving.

but as i was going there, one thing echoed in my mind -- the outrageous words of the president of iran on this podium yesterday. he implied that 9/11 was an american conspiracy. some of you left this hall. all of you should have. [applause] since 9/11, militant islamists slaughtered countless other innocents -- in london and madrid, in baghdad and mumbai, in tel aviv and jerusalem, in every part of israel. i believe that the greatest danger facing our world is that this fanaticism will arm itself with nuclear weapons. and this is precisely what iran is trying to do.

can you imagine that man who ranted here yesterday -- can you imagine him armed with nuclear weapons? the international community must stop iran before it's too late. if iran is not stopped, we will all face the specter of nuclear terrorism, and the arab spring could soon become an iranian winter. that would be a tragedy. millions of arabs have taken to the streets to replace tyranny with liberty, and no one would benefit more than israel if those committed to freedom and peace would prevail. this is my fervent hope. but as the prime minister of israel, i cannot risk the future of the jewish state on wishful thinking. leaders must see reality as it

is, not as it ought to be. we must do our best to shapetuth away the dangers of the present. and the world around israel is definitely becoming more dangerous. militant islam has already taken over lebanon and gaza. it's determined to tear apart the peace treaties between israel and egypt and between israel and jordan. it's poisoned many arab minds against jews and israel, against america and the west. it opposes not the policies of israel but the existence of israel. now, some argue that the spread of militant islam, especially in these turbulent times -- if you want to slow it down, they argue, israel must hurry to make concessions, to make territorial compromises.

and this theory sounds simple. basically it goes like this -- leave the territory, and peace will be advanced. the moderates will be strengthened, the radicals will be kept at bay. and don't worry about the pesky details of how israel will actually defend itself. international troops will do the job. these people say to me constantly -- just make a sweeping offer, and everything will work out. you know, there's only one problem with that theory. we've tried it and it hasn't worked. in 2000 israel made a sweeping peace offer that met virtually all of the palestinian demands. arafat rejected it. the palestinians then launched a terror attack that claimed a thousand israeli lives. prime minister olmert

afterwards made an even more sweeping offer, in 2008. president abbas didn't even respond to it. but israel did more than just make sweeping offers. we actually left territory. we withdrew from lebanon in 2000 and from every square inch of gaza in 2005. that didn't calm the islamic storm, the militant islamic storm that threatens us. it only brought the storm closer and make it stronger. hezbollah and hamas fired thousands of rockets against our cities from the very territories we vacated. see, when israel left lebanon and gaza, the moderates didn't defeat the radicals, the

moderates were devoured by the radicals. and i regret to say that international troops like unifil in lebanon and ubam in gaza didn't stop the radicals from attacking israel. we left gaza hoping for peace. we didn't freeze the settlements in gaza, we uprooted them. we did exactly what the theory says -- get out, go back to the 1967 borders, dismantle the settlements. and i don't think people

remember how far we went to achieve this. we uprooted thousands of people from their homes. we pulled children out of -- out of their schools and their kindergartens. we bulldozed synagogues. we even -- we even moved loved ones from their graves. and then, having done all that, we gave the keys of gaza to president abbas. now the theory says it should all work out, and president abbas and the palestinian authority now could build a peaceful state in gaza. you can remember that the

entire world applauded. they applauded our withdrawal as an act of great statesmanship. it was a bold act of peace. but ladies and gentlemen, we didn't get peace. we got war. we got iran, which through its proxy hamas promptly kicked out the palestinian authority. the palestinian authority collapsed in a day -- in one day. president abbas just said on this podium that the palestinians are armed only with their hopes and dreams.

yeah, hopes, dreams and 10,000 missiles and grad rockets supplied by iran, not to mention the river of lethal weapons now flowing into gaza from the sinai, from libya, and from elsewhere. thousands of missiles have already rained down on our cities. so you might understand that, given all this, israelis rightly ask -- what's to prevent this from happening again in the west bank?

see, most of our major cities in the south of the country are within a few dozen kilometers from gaza. but in the center of the country, opposite the west bank, our cities are a few hundred meters or at most a few kilometers away from the edge of the west bank. so i want to ask you. would any of you -- would any of you bring danger so close to your cities, to your families? would you act so recklessly with the lives of your citizens? israel is prepared to have a palestinian state in the west bank, but we're not prepared to have another gaza there. and that's why we need to have real security arrangements, which the palestinians simply refuse to negotiate with us. israelis remember the bitter lessons of gaza. many of israel's critics ignore them. they irresponsibly advise israel to go down this same perilous path again. your read what these people say and it's as if nothing happened -- just repeating the same advice, the same formulas as though none of this happened. and these critics continue to press israel to make far- reaching concessions without first assuring israel's security. they praise those who unwittingly feed the insatiable crocodile of militant islam as bold statesmen. they cast as enemies of peace those of us who insist that we must first erect a sturdy barrier to keep the crocodile

out, or at the very least jam an iron bar between its gaping jaws. so in the face of the labels and the libels, israel must heed better advice. better a bad press than a good eulogy, and better still would be a fair press whose sense of history extends beyond breakfast, and which recognizes israel's legitimate security concerns. i believe that in serious peace negotiations, these needs and concerns can be properly addressed, but they will not be addressed without negotiations. and the needs are many, because israel is such a tiny country. without judea and samaria, the west bank, israel is all of 9

miles wide. i want to put it for you in perspective, because you're all in the city. that's about two-thirds the length of manhattan. between distance battery park and columbia university. and don't forget that the people who live in brooklyn and new jersey are considerably nicer than some of israel's neighbors. so how do you -- how do you protect such a tiny country, surrounded by people sworn to its destruction and armed to the teeth by iran?

obviously you can't defend it from within that narrow space alone. israel needs greater strategic depth, and that's exactly why security council resolution 242 didn't require israel to leave all the territories it captured in the six-day war. it talked about withdrawal from territories, to secure and defensible boundaries. and to defend itself, israel must therefore maintain a long- term israeli military presence in critical strategic areas in the west bank. i explained this to president abbas. he answered that if a palestinian state was to be a sovereign country, it could never accept such arrangements. why not? america has had troops in japan, germany and south korea for more than a half a century. britain has had an airspace in cyprus or rather an air base in cyprus. france has forces in three

independent african nations. none of these states claim that they're not sovereign countries. and there are many other vital security issues that also must be addressed. take the issue of airspace. again, israel's small dimensions create huge security problems. america can be crossed by jet airplane in six hours. to fly across israel, it takes three minutes. so is israel's tiny airspace to be chopped in half and given to a palestinian state not at peace with israel? our major international airport is a few kilometers away from the west bank. without peace, will our planes become targets for antiaircraft missiles placed in the adjacent

palestinian state? and how will we stop the smuggling into the west bank? it's not merely the west bank, it's the west bank mountains. it just dominates the coastal plain where most of israel's population sits below. how could we prevent the smuggling into these mountains of those missiles that could be fired on our cities? i bring up these problems because they're not theoretical problems. they're very real. and for israelis, they're life- and- death matters.

all these potential cracks in israel's security have to be sealed in a peace agreement before a palestinian state is declared, not afterwards, because if you leave it afterwards, they won't be sealed. and these problems will explode in our face and explode the peace. the palestinians should first make peace with israel and then get their state. but i also want to tell you this. after such a peace agreement is signed, israel will not be the last country to welcome a palestinian state as a new member of the united nations. we will be the first. [applause] and there's one more thing. hamas has been violating international law by holding our soldier gilad shalit captive for five years. they haven't given even one red cross visit. he's held in a dungeon, in darkness, against all international norms.

gilad shalit is the son of aviva and noam shalit. he is the grandson of zvi shalit, who escaped the holocaust by coming to the -- in the 1930s as a boy to the land of israel. gilad shalit is the son of every israeli family. every nation represented here should demand his immediate release. if you want to -- if you want to pass a resolution about the middle east today, that's the resolution you should pass. ladies and gentlemen, last year in israel in bar-ilan university, this year in the knesset and in the u.s. congress, i laid out my vision for peace in which a demilitarized palestinian state recognizes the jewish state. yes, the jewish state.

after all, this is the body that recognized the jewish state 64 years ago. now, don't you think it's about time that palestinians did the same? the jewish state of israel will always protect the rights of all its minorities, including the more than 1 million arab citizens of israel. i wish i could say the same thing about a future palestinian state, for as palestinian officials made clear the other day -- in fact, i think they made it right here in new york -- they said the palestinian state won't allow any jews in it. they'll be jew-free -- judenrein. that's ethnic cleansing.

there are laws today in ramallah that make the selling of land to jews punishable by death. that's racism. and you know which laws this evokes. israel has no intention whatsoever to change the democratic character of our state. we just don't want the palestinians to try to change the jewish character of our state. we want to give up -- we want them to give up the fantasy of flooding israel with millions of palestinians. president abbas just stood here, and he said that the core of the israeli-palestinian conflict is the settlements. well, that's odd. our conflict has been raging for -- was raging for nearly

half a century before there was a single israeli settlement in the west bank. so if what president abbas is saying was true, then the -- i guess that the settlements he's talking about are tel aviv, haifa, jaffa, be'er sheva. maybe that's what he meant the other day when he said that israel has been occupying palestinian land for 63 years. he didn't say from 1967. he said from 1948. i hope somebody will bother to ask him this question because it illustrates a simple truth -- the core of the conflict is not the settlements. the settlements are a result of the conflict. the settlements have to be --

it's an issue that has to be addressed and resolved in the course of negotiations. but the core of the conflict has always been and unfortunately remains the refusal of the palestinians to recognize a jewish state in any border. i think it's time that the palestinian leadership recognizes what every serious international leader has recognized, from lord balfour and lloyd george in 1917, to president truman in 1948, to president obama just two days ago right here -- israel is the jewish state. president abbas, stop walking around this issue. recognize the jewish state, and make peace with us. in such a genuine peace, israel

is prepared to make painful compromises. we believe that the palestinians should be neither the citizens of israel nor its subjects. they should live in a free state of their own. but they should be ready, like us, for compromise. and we will know that they're ready for compromise and for peace when they start taking israel's security requirements seriously and when they stop denying our historical connection to our ancient homeland. i often hear them accuse israel of judaizing jerusalem.

that's like accusing america of americanizing washington, or the british of anglicizing london. calledw why we're "jews"? because we come from judea. in my office in jerusalem, there's a -- there's an ancient seal. it's a signet ring of a jewish official from the time of the bible. the seal was found right next to the western wall, and it dates back 2,700 years, to the time of king hezekiah.

now, there's a name of the jewish official inscribed on the ring in hebrew. his name was netanyahu. that's my last name. my first name, benjamin, dates back a thousand years earlier to benjamin -- binyamin -- the son of jacob, who was also known as israel. jacob and his 12 sons roamed these same hills of judea and sumeria 4,000 years ago, and there's been a continuous jewish presence in the land ever since. and for those jews who were exiled from our land, they never stopped dreaming of coming back -- jews in spain, on the eve of their expulsion, jews in the ukraine, fleeing the pogroms, jews fighting the warsaw ghetto, as the nazis were circling around it. they never stopped praying, they never stopped yearning. they whispered -- next year in jerusalem. next year in the promised land. as the prime minister of israel, i speak for a hundred generations of jews who were dispersed throughout the lands, who suffered every evil under the sun, but who never gave up hope of restoring their national life in the one and only jewish state. ladies and gentlemen, i continue to hope that president

abbas will be my partner in peace. i've worked hard to advance that peace. the day i came into office, i called for direct negotiations without preconditions. president abbas didn't respond. i outlined a vision of peace of two states for two peoples. he still didn't respond. i removed hundreds of

roadblocks and checkpoints, to ease freedom of movement in the palestinian areas. this facilitated a fantastic growth in the palestinian economy. but again -- no response. i took the unprecedented step of freezing new buildings in the settlements for 10 months. no prime minister did that before, ever. once again, you applaud, but there was no response. no response. in the last few weeks, american officials have put forward ideas to restart peace talks. there were things in those ideas about borders that i didn't like. there were things there about the jewish state that i'm sure the palestinians didn't like. but with all my reservations, i was willing to move forward on these american ideas. president abbas, why don't you join me? we have to stop negotiating

about the negotiations. let's just get on with it. let's negotiate peace. i spent years defending israel on the battlefield. i spent decades defending israel in the court of public opinion. president abbas, you've dedicated your life to advancing the palestinian cause. must this conflict continue for generations, or will we enable our children and our grandchildren to speak in years ahead of how we found a way to end it? that's what we should aim for, and that's what i believe we can achieve. in two and a half years, we met in jerusalem only once, even though my door has always been open to you. if you wish, i'll come to ramallah. actually, i have a better suggestion. thousands just flown of miles to new york. now we're in the same city.

we're in the same building. so let's meet here today in the united nations. [applause] who's there to stop us? what is there to stop us? if we genuinely want peace, what is there to stop us from meeting today and beginning peace negotiations? and i suggest we talk openly and honestly. let's listen to one another. let's do as we say in the middle east -- let's talk "doogli". that means straightforward. i'll tell you my needs and concerns. you'll tell me yours. findith god's help, we'll the common ground of peace.

there's an old arab saying that you cannot applaud with one hand. well, the same is true of peace. i cannot make peace alone. i cannot make peace without you. president abbas, i extend my hand -- the hand of israel -- in peace. i hope that you will grasp that hand. we are both the sons of abraham. my people call him avraham. your people call him ibrahim. we share the same patriarch. we dwell in the same land. our destinies are intertwined. let us realize the vision of isaiah -- [speaking hebrew] "the people who walk in darkness will see a great light." let that light be the light of peace.

>> next to discussion of the federal government also role in developing the solar industry. the house hearing on the solyndra bankruptcy. >> tomorrow, from the heritage foundation discusses president obama's debt as a reduction plan. david parker outlines the democratic strategy in north carolina for 2012. and nina federoff explains how of genetically modified foods could be used to ease growing worldwide demand. "washington journal" alive at 7:00 a.m. eastern on c-span. next, a discussion on the role of the federal government in developing the solar industry in light of the bankruptcy of

solyndra, which receive the loan guarantees from the department of energy. from "washington journal," this is about 35 minutes. me inoduce you to our first guest, rhone resch is the president and ceo of the solar energy industries association representing their interests in washington. thank you for being with us. guest: thank you for having me. host: today representatives from solyndra are eected to come to capitol hill. we are told that would take the fifth amendment. i am wondering about your reaction to this headline in politico earlier this month. "solyndra scandal a pr nightmare for the solar industry." guest: there is no doubt that what has happened is it has become a political issue rather than the plic really taking an accurate look at what is going on in the sola industry, and i think it is a mistake if we start to judge the entire industry on the basis of the performance of one company. we are in a extremely

competitive market. we will have companies that succeed and companies that fail. but the reality is e solar industry did -- grew 70% this last quarter from last year and one of the fastest-growing industries in the united states today. host: we thought it would be useful to get a primer on the lar industry and we welcome your questions. let me ask you, how big of an industry is in the united states d how many people employees? guest: over 100,000 people, twice as many than two years ago. a thousand companies in the united states. thatakes up manufacturers, construction, install is -- and they are operating in all 50 states today. " we are seeing as the industry has grown is it has put a lot of americans back to work. electricians, plumbers, those let go by the housing industry have found a new industry in solar. host: what is global

competition? guest: right now the united states is not in first place. germany installs about eight times more solar as we do in the united states, and japan and italy are ahead of us. in the installation we are on fourth place. hover, we are growing fast and we think the u.s. will be the largest market in the world by 2014. host: what ithe basic elements needed for a successful solar business. what is involved in the technology? guest: multiple technologies. first, panels that directly conversunlight to electricity. solar water heating, the heat of water for cooking, cleaning, showering, or industrial. then concentrating solar that focuses sunlight and creates a very high temperatures that it generates steam and basically electricity. it's one of those has a very different business model. physically for the homeowner they are installing solar electric and thermal systems in homes that directly displaces

the ches, allowing them to live with their electricity bills and provide a clean energy source. host: there is redential and commercial and agricultural. guest: agricultural -- and solar power plants in the southwest taking advantage. host: what segments are the largest? guest: all of them are growing. which is great news. the largest segment is commercial. rooftop or ground mounted that you see on a home depot or lowe's. you have seen this sector grow a little over 30% quarter on quarter. in fact, went people think about it as only california technology, new jersey is now the number-one state for installing commercial operations of the second quarter in the united states. an exciting development as you see more markets open up around the country. host: before we get to telephone calls there is a lot about solar in the news today, not surprisingly what the hearing an

investigation of solyndra. "the washington times" frontpage. related to that -- in a rush to assist sar firm obama administration is warning signs. at first solar says it will not meet its u.s. loan guarantee deadline. there also positive stories. related to that, 200 students, no wasted energy. university of maryland competing in a solar decathlon. tell us, first of all, what is a solar the cap the lawn and then we will talk about the government involvement. guest: competition from universities really around the world, architecture and engineering programs coming together to build homes that are entirely solar powered that are down on our nation's mall as an example of what the technology tended to day -- not in the future, but this is office of

technology powering homes by over 100% of their electricity and heating and cooling demand. it is a real emple of what innovation can do but also an example of what these archecture programs and what these students are doing in this country to help but vance clean energy and to help of a and new techniques and housing -- help advance clean energy and to help indians new techniques. it is a great opportunity for the public to come down and not only see technology but innovations in energy efficiency and appliances and top distance to learn how they can go solar as well. host: u.s. department of energy is involved? guest: the primary sponsor. host: can you describe the ways in which the federal government, i guess primarily through the apartment of energy, helps foster solar technology? guest: the federal government has made it a priority to support all energy in the last 100 years. oil and gas industry has

enjoyed permanent incentives, it really was not until the 2005 energy bill that a real incentive was provided to help homes and businesses go solar. but since the policy has been put in place we have seen the industry grow bright -- grow by over 600% so we are competing in a cost basis with a natural gas in california. we are seeing the investment pay off very quickly. not only the scale but costs coming down for the consumer. host: are the in the forms of grants or bad loans or both? guest: we have the loan guarantee program which was created with the 2005 kennedy bill as well and then adopted and the recovery act in 2009. that program is designed to invest in those technologies or bring projects considered higher risk or, frankly, innovate, such they cannot attract the capital from wall street to finance either the scale or the new technology.

other technologies. host: we have some examples of a longer list of federal loan guarantees. here is a look at them. one is the one we showed you, first solar. g.m. california. solyndra the one in the news is $535 million. what has changed? you said the program changed during the stimulus program. how does the loan question program change? guest: they expanded it such that it focused more on deployment. actual projects to be in utter in the ground and companies can apply multiple times. it adjusted to advance the technology much further much faster. host: with the hope of creating more jobs quickly? guest: absolutely. and when you look at the 10

projects approved the vast majority were just in august and september of this year. seven out of 10 just receid funding but those in place for a while are creating jobs in rural areas that have some of the highest unemployment across the country. so they are making investments and moving dirt and creating new opportunities. host: what changed about the loan question pgram that increased the risk to u.s. taxpayers? guest: there is no adjustment if you will to the risk to the taxpayers. it is the same in the 2005 energy loan question program as it is in the 1705 program. the primary shift is the credit subsidy cost is covered in the 1705 program. in the 1703 program the applicant needs to put that up, which means if you have a $100 million project you have to put

$10 million up in escrow through the legislative of the project to be able to get the loan gogh. a lot of start-up companies that is an impossible hurtle. so the escrow requirement was taken away. wouldn't that automatically increase the risk to taxpayers? guest: it would in the sense that there is an appropriation involved. but what you are doing is putting money into those projects that are most likely to succeed. when you look aoss all of the portfolio projects that have been approved by the loan question program what you find is there are just a few a like solyndra. the vast majority are utility scale power plants and they have 20-year power purchase agreements with utilities so ey have a contract in place and a guaranteedate of return and what they are overcoming is just the scale of the solar projects. we never built a 250-megawatt

project. so wall street is unwilling to projects.ese that is where it becomes critical that you have a industry to allow them to scale up, but it ultimately delivers a lower cost to the customer. host: last question then. what was the overall size of the toeral loan question program solar? guest: so far for the projects that have been approved is $7.3 billion. that is in private investment that will go into solar. that is 10 projects. the problem is so many of them were just in august and september where they finally got approval so they are just ramping up. there is an additional eight projects in the queue that the d.o.e. is evaluating worth another $7 billion so you are talking about a substantial investment in the u.s. economy that can be advanced if d.o. gets them approved. host: what is the default rate

on tt figure you gave us? guest: it is just solyndra right now. when you evaluate the risk across the entire portfolio you will find that solyndra, which represents a little less than 2% is a pretty small piece you will get a solid return from the rest of the projects. host: let's go to your calls about the solar industry and federal support for it. let's again with a call from cape cod. peter is watching there an independent. caller: good morning. this is a fascinating discussion. i'm a program manager and dependent consultant for private solar systems here and the systems we have have been extraordinarily successful. the solyndra thing troubles everybody. my favorite contractor has two solyndra systems in place and they are not hap about this. but the obama administration deserves a good slap for their misbehave your because two years ago the model said solyndra would run out of cash in august

of 2011. they declared bankruptcy then but the department of energy guarantee program that was used was put in place under the bush administration. so, it seems to me that stupidity just runs through government. it is probably more than a coincidence that one of the original lead venture capital companies has a partner who is a cousin to guseorge bush. but the politics are far more hazardous. i have a liquor store across the street with a roof that exceeded the projections by 135%. so if we can make moan on cape cod with solar you can do it almost everywhere. host: to help people understand how it works you can see it is a pretty gloomy day in washington. how does the technology account for long periods of no sunshine?

caller: you can pull one of the panels on this building out of a truck and it starts generating electricity instantly. it will generate electricity under 12 inches of snow. a clear cold winter day in new england is a better generating day than noontime in tuscon in the middle of summer because the air is clearer. the technology continues to advance. the productivity of the proct continues to get better and better. will givestallation you great results. where the federal subsidies are helpful is in the 1603 program and tax advaages. all forms of energy generation are subsidized one way or another, whether a railroad subsi because they are 50% of revenue are hauling coal or direct subsidy for oil and gas. if there is an issue with subsidies we should not let things like the disaster of solyndra torpedo a fine industry

that is providing tens of thousands of new jobs. host: let me jump in. his overall comment is politics is more hazardous to the industry tse days. guest: i think that's right and thanks for the call, peter. what aware seeing is -- what we are seeing is unfortunately solar is becoming a bit of an issue. but we are an industry and i think if the politicians look not at who is supporting their pac and showing up at their fund-raisers but who their constituents are and where the jobs are being created they are going to find they have a solar company in their district and manufacturing facility or two in thr district and their constituents want greater use of solar energy more today than ever before. we need to correct the record that points out that solyndra is a failure and allow congress to do the investigations and make sure that the information

becomes available and if solyndra broke the law they need be held accountable to the fullest exnt. then we need to get past that because today the solar industry employs over 100,000 people. host: that caller talked about all forms of energy being diseased. i want to show you a chart and the topic is energy cost producon average per megawatt hour and solar is second place, 210 just off of offshore. why does it cost more per hour to produce that energy guest: that is flawed. it is looking at the investment aspared to what is installed opposed to the potential the investments will have in greg the industries. is critical is with respect to solar is we are a small part the energy mix. so if you compare think of the investments in solar you will get a distorted number.

the fact is that solar has a higher return on the dollar investment than any other energy technology. we create more jobs per megawatt than any other energy technology and right now in the united states we are expanding and innovating in this industry that allow us to be the global leader. which iscritical. we want the united states it be the leader, not china. host: next call for reason ron who represents the solar industry in washington a republican from new jersey. caller: thank you. i would like to say i think solar is augntation rather than a substitute to the fossil fuels and as long as we have fossil fuels like the marcellus shale i don't see solar taking off. and like the last caller is from cape cod so it will ct a lot. most people can't put solar on the house. we can barely afford to pay the

electric bill these days. your segment ishe golf role in solar and the role is not to make a market but to allow businesses and homeowners to be able to put the money into research and development and get out there and yet the industry rather than having it subsidized. that is pretty much it. i see aot of this is misrepresentation that is going into solyndra and it seems lining it is criminal. guest: you are in a unique position in new jersey with a high rate but what you will find is there are companies - ts is the incredible thing about the industry. e innovation and entrepreneurial spirit is greater in solar than think or industry in the united states. you can find three or four companies in new jersey who will install solar on your house for no money down and it will cost you not one penny to go solar and they will guarantee that the electricity coming from the system will be cheaper than what you pay right now. so you can go solar for no money

down and save money on the bills. you st pointed out how expensive the electric is. solar can safe you money on the bill. these are the innovations in the business models. the government has nothing to do with that. but if you create a stable policy platform that allows businesses to have an environment where they can grow and innovate what you will see is that it is that cost that will be reduced more so by innovation than research and development. that is where the government role is, provide a stabl platform similar to what you the oil and gas industry and coal industry, have a level playing field and you will see solar will outcompete them. host: a similar theme struck by the chairman of the energy and commerce committee. we will listen to his question and if you can respond. >> what the solyndra failure means for the loan question program. just one bad bite or is it the

tip of the iceberg? d.o.e. has closed over $8 billion in loan guarantees to other green tech companies and has about $10 billion to spend before the septeer 30 deadline. the administration was so wrong about sol some after 19months how can we -- how can it exercise the proper controls when doling out another $10 billion in the next couple of weeks? this time of record debt i question whether government is act as a venture capitalist picking winners and losers and shelling out billions of dollars to keep them afloat. host: we are back. is is it just the tip of the iceberg? purpose of the programs is to make investments that the private sector would be unwilling to do. so, solyndra is a very unfortunate example of what has happened. but i thi that when you look at the loan question program it

has integrity across the board there. is similar to the agricultural sector and export sector in this country. so, louestions are part of what we do to help build up new industries. unfortunately there are failures from time to time but what is important is that there are some great successes and those need to be highlighted coming out of this. host: next call palm bleaeach a democrat. caller: i'm walter fuchs from the world house project. i introduced the program and only two people knew what we were doing. the res were people that morning at the u.n. there is an opportunity to exhibit at the world future energy summit in makings of a zero energy house based on the

square foot areas composed of 10 fi fiber panels that technology is no need for traditional roofing. we cut the cost of construction by 50% by eliminating many now nonessential components. there is a difficulty in having our government sign on an event that would start feel the world a zero energy house that pays for itself. ideas go back to an american architect frank lloyd wright in the 1930's who came forth with his ideas. i find it very strange that the state department no matter who is contacted in government, they don't seem to want to boost america's image in innovation. any suggestions? guest: i agree, walter. it is a shame because i think america as a country can o else i the anybody

world. and we are seeing that in both low cost manufturing in solar and high efficiency. right now the u.s. is home to the lowest cost manufacturer of solar and they manufacture in ohio and building a new plant just outside of phoenix. you also have the highest efficiency solar panel manufacturer here in the united states. and as we look forward what you are going to see out of our industry are innovative products that are integrated in the roofing, products that are higher efficiency, lower cost, have applications on the back of your iphone up to utility scale solar projects. when you look forward in the next five to 10 years what is critical is we focus on american innovation. we don't get bogged down in the failures but highlight the successes and make investments in these technologies and

companies that are going to be the future of our economy. we will outcompete the chinese if we make the investments. host: north dakota, chris, republican. caller: good morning. i was wondering if part of the problem with supportingolar energy has anything to do with just government's role in solar energy but government's role in supporting gas and coal? is there -i don't know -- a bipartisan fight over that? guest: chris, to the point i made before, which is the federal government has always made strategic investments in energy and they have been in large part what made the country great. investments in hydroelectric power allowed to us produce large volumes of equipment going into world war ii and to succeed. our investments in oil and

natural gas through the 1920's and 1930's led us to be a global leader. we need to make sure we are investg in the 21st cenry technologies. technologies that we manufacture and those technolieso create jobs and provide safe reliable for customers and consumers in the united states. so when we look at the role of government it is not to subsidize these industries but to create an investment opportunitto track private capital and helps us get through that stage where the product is being developed so that it becomes commercially viable and that ultimately toes job are created here. host: aware over time but we're talking about investment. could you explain this one paragraph in the "new york times" if there is a single b made by the pweupls that would determine the success or failure of the investment in solyndra it is centered on the global price

its competito pay for one of earth's most common elements, silicon. >> it is a feed stock material that is in the panels or semiconductorors. as the industry grew fast in 2007 and 2008 we had a shortage of polysilicon so the price went from about $60 to $300 per kilo tkpwrpl. that was the opportunity for those that didn't use it to enter into the market. solar panel prices were going up due to tt shortage. so companies lake solyndra and other thin film companies attracted private investment because it seemed like they had a competitive advanta and could enter the marketplace at a lower cost point than the po polysilicon manufacturers could. what we saw is that you had policy collapse in spain and other countries and the markets decreased and you saw the market react which was to produce more

po polysilicon. so the price is down from $300 to $60 today. what that thaoepbs is po polysilicon manufacturers and solar manufacturers have been able it lower price. to give you a sense in the last year the price of solar has come down by 30%. aware seeing a very competitive environment and up form companies lake solyndra are >> tomorrow on washington journal, president obama is perhaps jobs plan. david parker outline the democratic strategy for north carolina a in 2012. doroff explains how genetically modified food could be used to ease world wide demands. washington journal live at 7:00

a.m. eastern on c-span. >> two top executives from the solyndra solar panel manufacturing company invoked their fifth amendment rights today before the house subcommittee on oversight and investigations. they received $500 million in the guarantees from the energy department, part of the president's 2009 economic stimulus package. the long program was part of the president's economic stimulus package. the company has filed for bankruptcy. hearing is about 1 hour 15 minutes.

>> my colleagues, before we begin today, i would like to address the procedures used at this hearing. i call ranking members together yesterday evening to consult about today's hearing. ranking member degette and i agree on the following process for opening statements and questions. i will recognize myself and the ranking member or five-minute opening statements, then each member of the committee will be able to give a two-minute opening statement. after swearing in the witnesses, the majority and minority will each have 10 minutes each to ask

questions of today's witnesses. at this time, it will be allotted among members who wish to ask questions at the discretion of the chair and the ranking member. we will start with five minutes of questions from majority members, five minutes from minority members, then repeat. i would like to thank the ranking member, the distinguished member, for her support, and now i recognize myself for a five-minute opening. ok. good morning, everybody to reconvene this hearing of the subcommittee on oversight and investigations to examine what solyndra's executives knew about the company's financial condition and how it represented at condition to the department of energy, the white house, and members of this committee. just two years ago, after solyndra received its $535 million loan guarantee, six months after the department of energy restructured the deal, solyndra has laid off over 1000

workers. it filed for bankruptcy and has been rated by the fbi did it only two months ago, c l brian harrison met with me and looked me in the eye and assured me that everything was just fine, and that the company was on track to be cash flow-positive. mr. harris and told me and other members of the committee that solyndra was continuing to make excellent progress, that it is meeting all of its costs and performance milestones, and that revenues were projected to nearly double in 2011. i was hoping mr. harrison would testify today and explain to me and this committee how he could make those representations in late july about solyndra improving prospects when the company was on the path to bankruptcy just 30 days later.

it seems clear to me that mr. harriston knew or should have known in july that the company was going to restate its financial projections to reflect increasing market and pricing pressure on its products, resulting in decreased revenue. when the committee invited mr. harrison and mr. stover to testify at last week's hearing, mr. harris and would appear voluntarily and answer the committee's questions. however, the council asked the committee to postpone testimony by one week, claiming that mr. harrison and mr. stover were involved in active negotiations to potentially sell the company, and that an earlier sale might result in a better recovery for the taxpayer at the company's bankruptcy. i agreed to this request, provided that mr. harrison appeared this week and testify. in return for postponing his

testimony by one week, i was provided a written assurance by solyndra's council that mr. harrison would answer the committee's questions. unfortunately, we won't get those answers today. mr. harrison and mr. stover's council informed the committee three days ago that they would decline to answer the committee's questions and would invoke their rights under the fifth amendment to the united states constitution. i respect the witnesses' rights under the fifth amendment, but i want to make it clear today, though, that this subcommittee's investigation will continue. we have asking questions about this deal since february of this year. we will get to the bottom of why this loan was pushed out to a company whose liquidity issues were a major issue to the department of energy staff reviewing the loan back in 2009, and which ultimately cost its bankruptcy. we will also examine how doe

concludes the restructuring for the taxpayer for maximum recovery. when documents produced for the committee for theomb government prevent a solyndra bankruptcy or a better recovery from the government. we also wonder why doe would allow it to be subordinated to taxpayers in violation of the clear leader of the law. what we do not know is whether the solyndra executives here today have something to hide. was all the information and they singh added todoe accurate and complete? what did they know about their financial situation and when did they know it? what did doe understand about solyndra's financial situation? and did doe know what they were

doing, did it properly monitored solyndra and the taxpayer money being used to prop solyndra op? these are all the questions that i would like to have received answers from our witnesses today. congress and the american taxpayers have a right to know whether this loan guarantee was rushed out the door before it was ready for prime time, whether the administration doubled down on a bad bed after knowing that the company's dubious commercial prospects, or even worse, whether 535 million taxpayer dollars were wasted on false or incomplete information. we intend to get those answers. that concludes my statement. with that, i recognize the ranking member, ms degette, for opening statement. >> two weeks ago, ranking member waxman and i requested testimony from a solyndra president and ceo brian

harrison. i am pleased that we have mr. harrison and his colleague, at mr. stover, for today's hearing. i respect their witnesses have a right to invoke constitutional rights, but i regret that they will not be answering questions. i hope that once the constitutional questions are resolved, and they will be able to return and testify voluntarily. nonetheless, mr. chairman, i am glad that the subcommittee will continue to examine key questions relating to the solyndra loan guarantee. as i noted in my statement at the september 14 a subcommittee hearing, it is critically important that we understand a number of factors.

first, whether the bush and obama administrations conducted due diligence on the loan guarantee, whether solyndra made accurate representations to the government, with the administrations sufficiently monitored the financial status of a cylindrical, particularly as market forces seemed to be against the company, and finally, whether the government make correct decisions about restructuring alone. in addition to our specific concerns around this long, it is also a part of that the subcommittee examine these issues in the broader context of how government should support development of our nation's clean energy technology industry. the united states has an unparallels the history of innovation, and at the beginning of the 21st century, it would be to our long-term economic peril if we cede leadership to any other nation in clean energy technology development. ranking member waxman and i have urged you, mr. chairman, to

take several additional steps in this investigation. first, we ask that the subcommittee convened hearings to ensure that u.s. policies and incentives are adequate to ensure that u.s. manufacturers can compete in the global clean energy market. we have already heard testimony in our investigations that china's share of the solar market has jumped from 6% in 2005 to 54% just six years later. we have heard that half of the 10 largest solar panel manufacturers are now based in china. at the same time, just last week, some of the country's business leaders, including the ceo's of general electric and xerox, stated that "federal government has a vital role to play in innovation," and warned "if the u.s. fails to create new technologies and jobs, that will mean a deep transformation

and revitalization of the energy industry -- we will have lost an opportunity to lead in what is arguably the largest and most pervasive technology sector of the world." accordingly, review of the solyndra loan guarantee should go hand in hand with a review of the appropriate path our nation can take c to take ceding leadership of the clean energy technology market to china and other countries. mr. waxman and i have asked the chairmen to obtain testimony from representatives of the two private equity firms which were the most significant investors in solyndra. private investors invested twice as much as the government in solyndra. the subcommittee should understand why solyndra attracted so much private capital at representations' the company made to private investors as well as to the

government. i am certain that the chairman sees the merits of these requests, mr. chairman, and i look forward to working together on these and other issues as the investigation continues, and i yield back the balance of my time. >> thank you, gentle lady. now, the full chairman of energy and commerce, a distinguished gentleman from michigan, mr. upton, is recognized for five minutes. >> in 1963, there was a great train robbery in england. at the time, it might have been the largest highest ever. because of its cleverness, the legend continues. the tape was 2.6 million pounds, about $7.5 million in 1963 dollars. now we have our modern-day great train robbery, but we have of iced over half a billion dollars, and possibly willing collaborators and co- conspirators of the u.s. government who rushed out a $535 million loan to solyndra.

it is a very sad commentary that we met resistance every step of the way as this subcommittee has tried to seek answers to basic questions overseeing the approval process of this project. we finally had to resort to a subpoena, and at the outright resistance to getting answers that both of you two witnesses assured us only last week he would provide. let me warn you and other folks involved in this taxpayer ripoff -- we are not done. no, we're not. solyndra was the very first company to receive a loan guarantee fund it with a stimulus dollars. the company was touted in statements by the president, who vice president, secretary of energy as a model for the government's investment in green technology. less than two years later, solyndra has filed for bankruptcy and was raided by

the fbi. i understand that our two witnesses today, mr. harrison and mr. stover intended to invoke their rights under the fifth amendment and will not testify. solyndra has left taxpayers holding the bag for $535 million guarantee, and we still cannot get answers. last week we learned even more troubling facts about the administration's review of the solyndra guarantee. concerns about liquidity and cash flow were ignored. the financial models show that the company would run out of cash by september 2011. which, as it turned out, it precisely did. omb felt pressured to complete its review at a time for a groundbreaking event with the vice president. when solyndra faced default at the end of last year, the administration restructured the guarantee and put taxpayer's behind investors, despite concerns by omb staff that the restructuring would not be a

better deal for the government and, frankly, in direct contradiction to the law. these facts clearly show that the committee was right to start asking questions about solyndra when we open up our own investigation seven months ago. the administration past actions in this case i deeply troubling, and so is their response to our findings. rather than engaging in a dialogue about their efforts to protect the taxpayer from the risks posed by solyndra, they are are going to the press that clean energy programs that republicans supported undermine the basis of our asking tough questions about solyndra. according to "politico," "obama administration officials have spent the last week to digging up stories about republican lawmakers who had previously bet for clean energy spending for their districts." first, let's talk about clean

energy. yes, republicans support innovation, and we are uniform in our support of any solution that improves our energy security. we may question whether the federal government is capable of selecting the most promising companies in technology, we have concerns about the stimulus, when it passed in 2009, and we have concerns now that it failed to deliver the jobs that were promised. this is not a debate about the virtues of clean energy. it is a serious inquiry into reckless use of taxpayer dollars on a company that was known to pose serious risks before a single dime went out the door. i yield back. >> chairman yields back. representative rakowski, gentle lady from illinois, is recognized for two minutes. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i am saddened that a company in

which both the bush and obama departments of energy and sausage promise has filed for bankruptcy, causing the loss of more than 1000 high-tech jobs. i also seek answers from solyndra's executives about the possibly misleading or incomplete assessment of the company's financial position, and the cause and circumstances behind the fbi raid on solyndra facilities and executives' homes last month. it is unfortunate that mr. harrison and stover mr. have chosen not to testify it and answer questions today so that our subcommittee might together have answers to questions. however, it is important that as we work to address the solyndra situation that we do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. last night, exploiting the solyndra case, this house voted to cut the doa loan guarantee program. this is a short-sighted

mistakable undermine our ability to compete in the global energy sector. as the demand for energy rises, emerging technologies will need our support to compete with businesses in china whose solar industry was provided with $30 billion in government subsidies just last year. conceding the green energy race to china would be reckless an irreversible decision. in a "politico" op-ed last week, venture cabalists said that the nascent green energy industry needs more than capital to grow. as we move forward with our investigation into solyndra, we should ensure that the loan guarantee program remains a priority for this congress and our country. now i yield back the remainder of my time. >> i thank the gentle lady. chairman america's of the full

committee, distinguished gentleman from texas, recognized for an opening statement for two minutes. >> thank you, mr. chairman. let's set the scene. it is a sunny day in northern california. it should be a good day for a solar energy company, especially a company that has just received a government guarantee a loan over half a billion dollars. the solar energy company that has been paid a visit by the president of the united states himself. a solar energy company that president obama called a true engine of economic growth, touted as a green energy success story, a stimulus success story, and a job- creating success story. as it turns out, that day was not a good day for the company. instead, the company, after taking half a billion dollars of taxpayer money, closed its doors, laid off over 1000 employees, and declared bankruptcy. the next week, the fbi knocked down the company's door to

secure its files. the question before the subcommittee today, mr. chairman, is how does a company go from having the president of the united states and visit it to having the fbi, in and confiscate its files? the american people deserve an answer to the question, mr. chairman. the two gentlemen who sit before the committee to date told us informally and in meetings with the staff that they were ready to answer questions, they have nothing to hide, at a deal with this committee to delay the hearing with the promise that when they came, they would answer our questions. now they will assert their fifth amendment right and refuse to answer questions because the answers to those questions might be incriminating. however, i am sure that the members of this subcommittee will still ask those questions so at least the american people, mr. chairman, no one questions should be answered. with that i yield back.

>> the gentleman from telephone, ranking member of the full committee, mr. waxman, is recognized for five minutes. >> two weeks ago, ranking member degette and i requested executives from solyndra appear before our committee, and i am pleased that chairman sterns agreed and invited brian harrison, ceo, and bill stover, cfo, to be before us today.

recognizes the gentleman from which is currently numbers,

unworkable. host: on the screen is dr. keith hall commissioner of the bureau of labor statistics. fridays we have been inviting the people who keep america by the numbers who give us a portrait of the country to tell us more about aspects of our society. today we look at unemployment numbers. we welcome your participation. dr. hall is in a four-year term of the bureau of labor

statistics. sworn in 2008 and faculty member in the economics department at university of arkansas and missouri. tell our viewers about the agency you head, please. guest: the bureau of labor the other is like statistical agencies. we have a long tradition of independence. we are about 3,000 employees and we have about two dozen defend programs. the highest profile is the unemployment program so we also produce most of the price indexes, data on productivity and data on workplace injury illnesses. host: yourovided us with quite a few charts and graphs about our unemployment situation and i'm going to -- i hope i don't throw you for a loop. i will pull them out of order becae the one that caught my attention was long-term employment because there is so much debate in this town about employment benefits and what happens to people after

they reach that threshold. let's look at that chart that shows us the numbers of people after the year 2008 which have reached that threshold. what does this chart tell us? guest: we consider anybody who has been unemployed six months or more to be long-term unemployed but we keep statistics on those unemployed more than a year or two years. it tells you the number of people whoave been unemployed for a rather long time period. they are still looking, willing to work and looking for work. host: and it seems to have spiked. guest: that's right. we are somewhere over six million people which is a remarkably high number because the previous record was below three million. we have more than doubled the old record in long-term unemployed. host: we can go into some of these in more detail. you have given us a stat that looks at the share of long-term unemployment by age. this compares the overall labor

force and you can see it on the scre screen. long-term unemployed compared to force.or it looks like 25 to 54 have the highest. guest: the blue bar tells you the share of labor force held by the groups. 16 to 24-year-olds make up about 14 14.2. 25 to 54 is 65.9 parts and 55 and older is almost 20%. the red bars tell you their share of the long-term unemployed. you see 16 to 24-year-olds are about 14% of labor force but 17.5% of the long-term unemployed. so, they are overrepresented in the long-term unemployed. host: authorize those 355 and older their personal is equal to the share. guest: they are about the same.

they are not overrepresented. host: now we see how race affects the numbers. white, black, hispanic are the statistics that you have here. yes.: the whites make up about 81% of the labor force but only about 70% the long-term unemployed. so the two groups, african-american and hispanics are overrepresented, particularly african-americans are roughly two to one. host: so as a personal of the liberal force 11.7% but long-term unemployment is 23.5%. guest: that's correct. host: next statistic. share ofong-term employment by education for those 25 years and older. guest: you have a similar story as the race and ethnicity. there are certain groups overreprented.

those without a high school diploma 8.8% but 15% of long-term unemployed. high school diploma are overreesented as well. some college or associate degree is also overrepresented. the only group underrepresented are those with a college education. host: what is the message of this statistic? >> this is a stay in school chart i suppose. host: i will pause and give our the numbers that you can send us a comment or question by twitter twitter. we also divided the phone lines a little differently. that is number for those who are uneloyed and we would like you to briefly tell us your own story that is 202-737-0001. and all others either employed, still retired or udents and want to participate in the discussion 202-737-0002 is the

all other line. we will get to calls in couple of minutes. this is another chart that looks at five firms and downturns. help us understand what you are showing. guest: this is a comparison between the current recession or recent recession and 2001 recession. the red bars are the downturn from the 2001 recession the job loss by firm size. you notice on the red bars the far right are large firms, 500 employees and more. they are oveepresented in the last recession, 2001. it was very little job loss in t the smaller firms. host: this time small firms are much more likely to be affected? guest: that's right. ou see that the blue bars are fairly evenly space sod this

recession smaller firms and medium sized fir partipated more in the downturn. this is repeated throughout the numbers. this was such a deep and long that it affected all ethnicities, all educational levels. host: all company sizes. guest: all company sizes. host: we have seen small business sometimes insulated in the post-but there time affted equally by the downturn. there is a look at the united states and it is a graphic look at unemployment rates from july 2012 and how states -- 2011 and are affected state by state. those that are in red 12% california and nevada, 10% higher ar in th southeastern area and michigan. 8% to 9% are green and a good majority of them there.

the blue charts have unemployment rates o 6% to 7.9% so lower than the national average. those lucky stat through here and vermont and new hampshire in pink have 5.9% or lower unemployment. can you speak to -- i know you gather the numbers on the unemployment but what is going on in those states that are at the end of the spectrum? it is hard to say because obviously it is dependent on the local economies in the state. some of them are states that have particular problems with the housing market, big do downturn. some manufacturing is involved. a lot of job loss was concentrated in manufacturing and construction. those two combined for over half the job loss during the recession. so states that had a lot of manufacturing and big downturn in housing construction were hard hit. host: do you know what is going on with vermont and new

hampshire? they are doing well compared to their regional neighbors. we will take calls then come back and look at employment and particular sectors including construction. earlier we had a call from the construction industry and financial services industry. we will take a call from brooklyn. this is a person who is unemployed. caller: organ good morning. i don't have a question. i do have a question. i was -- host: turn the volume on your tv down. you are getting feedback. caller: i was a bank for jpmorgan chase for two years. i was like i collected unemployment for two years. why can't we do something simple like everybody who collects unemployment the way i did has to do some ki of simple job or have to go outside and pick up the trash from the street a,

street b in the local neighborhood and kind of supervision. this way they are not sitting there collectinghis money for nothing? host: let me hear about your own prospect. you are in brooklyn in the financial services industry. we keep hearing companies like bank of america still plan it -- plan it lay off more. what are your prospects for finding a job? caller: anybody if they get up every morning and work and work, you know, toward finding a job they can find something. wherever it is going to be something that pays you enough money for your family, i think there is always some kind of b job. it is hard to fit the job to life style because there's a big difference getting a job that pays you $40,000 and having a job that pays you $10,000 a year

is not that hard but can you feed your family and pay for an apartment or buy a house. not going to happen. host: what is your optimism level at this point? ller: as far as 10 years down the line i think it is good. i think as far as something short-sighted, the next six months, i have thoughts, i don't have a lot of things in the short term but i still believe we have satellites in space and we can't solve a problem like making sure everybody has a job. i don't think it should be so difficult. but then i'm not a decision maker. i don't make policies. so, i'm not going to make a change. host: thank you for your call. he has been unplayed for a while -- unemployed for a while. this chart looks at financial activity employment from 1999

through 2011 including the 2008 downturn. what is happening in that sector? guest: a couple of things you will notice. fit the employment decline in the sector. the blue band represents the recession. the right hand is t current recession, left is 2001 recession. you notice the downturn started before the recession started so it is sort of a leader into the recession. the drop, you know, the drop in ployment is three-quarters of a million jobs. in the financial activity sector is split 2010 finance and -- between finance and insurance and includes not only securities and commodity contractors and typical financial types of firms but also it includes real estate. host: what is fascinating is it brought us right back to the level in the sector of 1999. guest: yes. host: so all the build-up in that brought a lot of jobs but

we came to the point where we were before it began. guest: another thing if you look at the 2001 recession the financial sector didn't participate meaning there was not any job loss. call as we look at america by the numbers is a call from bernard in oklahoma city and also unemployed. you are on the air. caller: hello. i'm bernard, oklahoma. i have a college degree in architture and i have been unemployed for over a year and i understand that oklahoma is doing very well statistically. however, has there been any study between minorities with college degrees versus nonminorities with college degrees. because i live in atate where it is probably offrepresented, and i want to hear your comments on that.

host: first, he said oklahoma is well and by the borrow of labor statistics oklahoma is one of the states with lowest unemployment, 5.9% or lower. you can see it here. he asked about by the numbers and racial demographics. guest: not only does that show up in this recession is minorities are impacted more than hers. the unemployment rate for and hispanics ns and other minorities increase by more, start higher and increase by more andmployment by industry in different industries doesn't really explain it. or education doesn't fully explain it. so if you do it just with the people with college degrees, those of the minorities do have their rates go up more than nonminorities. caller: architects related to the construction industry so let me put your chart on the screen that looks at employment in

construction from 2000 through 2011. look at those numbers. guest: two things. if you look at the employment before the recession you see this tremendous build-up in employment in the construction industry. this iwhen construction was high of new hos. what now appears like an unsustainably high level and it began like the activities the decline started around the beginning of 2007. you saw the deadline in employment a housing starts dropping and employment dropped significantly. it dropped about two million since it started. you look at the bottom you see it is down. host: when we looked at financial service it is came back to the 2000 level but the difference aware shong here in

2000 the jobs were between 6.5 and 7.0 million but now nowhere near where we were a decade ago. guest: yes. host: so, i don't know what to ask about that. i will take a tephone call. ryan from boca raton, florida. caller: good morng. my question is for the gentleman. my question is that one question will be what the statiscs of the personal there and how they -- percentage there and how they come up with the result and the other is on drug laws and how the interception them has d disenfranchised them. andhat type of people are unemployed? and in the sense of what type the elderly, are they people who

have physical or mental disabilities? are they people that are not educated enough? there is some reason that these statistics -- how she is statistics are based on something. and then on the drug issue, i will take my question off the air but for the drug issue since the inception of them they have put fear in our society to stop people from a racial standpoint and now if someone has the ability to get a scholarship or get into government programs or government jobs an they have a prior record or felony, that is going it deny them access to that job. so i really question the how this is come about. thank you. host: we will let the second comment stand but he wants to dig into the profile of the unemployment. we looked earlier by education

and racial demographics. what else can you tell us? gues in this recession there is a significant increase in unemployment by all groups. so even though the college educated have a much lower unemployment rate than those without a high school degree, the unemployment rate did go up significantly during the recessi recession. so it is made up of everybody. there are overrepresented groups but there are virtually no groups who were spared this time. host: next telephone call as we talk about america's numbers this is mark from rochester, new york. also unemployed. caller: hello, how are you. host: what field did you work in? caller: photography, optics. i got my bachelor's degree from r.i.t. and got a master's degree from r.i.t. in color science.

i'mctually calling because i have laid off a number of times in my history of going through college i was in the workfce in 2000, laid off from a company that does aerial images for bing and places like that. and went to work forodak and was laid off from them and most recently worked for i.t.t. one of the bigger employers left in got laid offhen they lost a government contract. so, i'm very familiar with the workforce, i guess. my question is, where are people like me that have been laid off and decided they will take their future into their own hands and now we are coming up through this lending crisis and we can't money to hire anybody o equipment and we would like to create jobs but away can't. host: when you went into this field did you have any sense of how volatile it was going to be? caller: a more global level i

guess. more than just my industry. i could tell that i was -- my industry branches into many industries from medical to printing, display, cameras, you know. we touch everything. so i could see this was not just one industry that was squandering, it is more of a global crisis. host: how old are you? caller: 33. host: if you had money what business wouldou like to create? caller: i have created a business. it is real estate investment busine business. so you are not using your photographic skills. caller: not at all. host: he is young, his part of the society and its unemployment statistics are what? how much are the young affected compared to others? guest: the younger probably more

impacted than other age groups. for example teenagers or those up to 24, they have had a particularly big drop-off in employment to population. host: but where he is against the norm you showed us, the early graph was stay in tkpwraourp and he stayed for college and graduat and found in an industry with a lot of volatility. what would you say to that? guest: there are certain industries that have a high degree of volatility. reason we never get to zero unemployment rate. the low prior to the recession was 4.7%, which is very small compared to now. but there is still a fair amount of churn where people are between skwrobls, sometimes unemployed for a -- jobs, sometimes unemployed for a while. so you have to recognize that

there is some long-term sustainable level of unemployment that you can get down to but never down to zero. host: here is a chart with a lot of colors around statistics. unemployment rates for persons 25 years around older by educational attainment. we are picking up on the stay in school theme but this is two decades. what are you telling us here? guest: this is a similar story as the long-term unemployed. during this recession the last recessi recession those with more education had a bigger impact. if you look at the top line, the blue line, that is the unemployment rate for people with less than high school diploma. you notice they started before the recession at about 7% unemployment rate and it has grown to 14%, doubled. you look at the bottom those are bachelors and higher their rate started as low as 2% and just now up to 4% so they

have not gotten as high a rate during the recession as those who without a high school diploma prior to the recession. but again all of the rates went up for all the education levels but those with lower levels are impacted more. there is more than a stay in school graph. it is also telling you the sort of people who are unemployed they -- the lower education are overrepresented in that group and you think about that when you try to come out of the recession. host: you are the commissioner of the bureau of labor statistics and we are looking at the numbers h statisticians gather about unemployment. we have a call from mchenry county, illinois. catherine. i understand you are unemployed. caller: yes, i am. i was laid off in january of 2010. and my situation is i'm a

divorced person, i live by myself. i rai six 13 r -- i raise six children had are doing well. my one son is in italy now. i was laid off and making good money and there wasn't really any -- i bought my house, ok? i november of 2009. and i fought my way up because i was divorced and trying to raise the kids and it was kind of hard and i had some problems and i made it thrgh the credit thing to where i could buy a house. and i bought just a little house. i have two dogs and a cat. at the time when i did by the house i made a joke saying watch me get laid off and sure enough, january of 2010, after i did

purchase my house in november of 2009 when it was still looking good and i didn't see any reason to be laid off but i made that jump and i did get laid off. host: what field were you working in? caller: purchasing. and i had been in purchasing almost 20 years and i was -- it was all on-the-job training. i got a g.e.d. before i got my i didn't graduate from high school but got a g.e.d. i made myself get it before my first son graduated from high school. host: let me, in the interest of time, cut to the chase. are you able to keep the house? caller: i'm fighting for my live. i have been unemployed for almost two years. january will be two years. the unemployment kept meoing because i managed to buy a husband where the mortgage payment would be sustainable. host: i will stop you there. that illustrates a number of

statistics. we have not looked at the difference between men and women in society and how they have been affected. katherine being a woman, let's look at how she fares compared to society as a whole. guest: the blue line is the employment level for men and red for women. you notice that this recession a couple of things. first, women participated in the recession, the point if you look in the 2001 recession women had a very small drop in employment levels. but there is a fairly big drop this time. at the same time, men lost jobs two to one compared to women through this recession. and the line has gotten close so the level of employment by men and women became almost equal for a while. the next thing you notice is the almost so far has been

exclusively with men. women haven't participated much yet. one interesting thing to note is it probably drives the whole graph is women's representation in different industries. for example, during this recession it was a wide recession so a lot of industries were hit. so, women participated because some of the jobs were like ditional manufacturing and construction which have underrepresentation by women, a lotf other industries were hit by the recession. in the recovery it is showing back women is job loss in local government. since the recsion ended local government has lost about a half million jobs, and out of that 400,000 were women. that is big reason why the wo n employment hasn't recovered. host: our viewer on twitter offers this comment saying they

don't call it a phaman session nothing. next call is washington, d.c., and this is anthony on the air. caller: i have two jobs. i work deliveringood for chefs warehouse to restaurants around washington during the day and at night i work as a dishwasher in urban barbecue and they seem to be hiring but can't get cashiers or delivery drivers so people looking in the washington, d.c. area urban barbecue is hiring. ost: what is kwryour education level? host: i have two years of college, four years in the marine corps. i had my own computer store which shut down in 2001 after 9/ 9/11. no one was buying anything so i went back to driving a truck. host: what is your income or

standardf hrfliving with the tw jobs versus what it was before when you had your own store? caller: it is about the same. nothin has changed. it is just an adjustment of unemployment. defend things you were doing. i'm still making an average of $50,000. i was doing about $70,000 at the most before 9/11. and i'm still about $50,000 with two jobs. host: are you working the same number of hours? caller: definitely not. i work 60 hours six days a week on the truck job and four days a week as a dishwasher at night i'm putting in a lot more hours. america has gotten to the point where we reached a crescendo with the rise of housing prices that no one can affor a house

and same thing with healthcare. michelle bachman said it is because of obama care businesses are n hiring but she forgets that during the bush years the last couple of years jobs were flowing out of the country before president obama came on the scene. so, it is not obama care that is killing jobs, it is the prices of everything that are s high and nobody can work to afford to get anything. and then of course the jobs have left the country. if weust opened up the factories with people who worked there before in the steel industry and all the other industries that left this country and stop importing, buying imports, we have to build our own and making our own clothes and socks and metal. we have to do this again and open up the clothes factories. and bring housing prices down. nobody can afford a down payment and it will be at least 20 to 3 years before these houses that

have just been built that are sitting will start it get sold. if they do bring the house prices back down you are not going to have any housing is the number one economic leader for people getting on their feet to have their own home. host: what time do you start your workday? host: today i'm off. i start at 4:00 every morning. i usually am done by 3:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon truck driving and i start at 5:30 at night until 30 derby wa -- dis washing. calle host thank you. how would anthony show up in your numbers, someone who used to have a full-time job and is working two part-time jobs? guest: he will show up as multijob holder. we keep track of that and he will be counted as employed but we have a special category. we keep track of people who are

part-time for economic reasons. so, people in other words they are part-time, they would rather be full-time so probably both his jobs he would be counted as part-time en though he is counted as employed. host: next telephone call from memphis, tennessee, larry, unemployed. caller: good morning. yes, i was employed in manufacturing. my job csed up at the end of this year but i was laid off on july 25. i think we have two problems. number one problem is wal-mart. wal-mart insists that they going to keep you on their shift you have to do a certain percentage of [inaudible] about five years ago we did 23% of our business in china and ever since it is more and more. that is the reason the jobs are leaving. wal-mart insists you have to

manufacture in china. number two reason is we are in this situation is because our government. we have a government that is setting people up with tax breaks and paying people to move overseas. we need to get rid of all of the people that doing that. they work for the people that is lining their pocket. they don't care about working people. they are for the rich. host: thank you. we have a series of statistics about public sector employment. there is what it looks like over the last decade with a spike right after the recession. can you tell us what is going on? guest: you see a spike around 2010 and spike around 2000. both of them were temporary hiring by the census bureau to conduct the census. this lastime it was about

600,000 jobs at most. they were temporary so you see the spike went up and came down. another was a sense success hiring. host: before the recession overall if you look at federal government employment has been growing since the recession. guest: yes, it is a little up. maybe 50,000 to 60,000 higher. host: let's look at state government. what is happening there? est: state government there's been a steady decline the. one thing you notice is that it hurri -- a lot of it occurred after the end of the recession. state government in fact since the end of the recession has droppe about 100,000. host: but look how much it has grown over the decades. so when we started out in 20004.7 million and now 5.1 million? guest: that's right.

host: local government, another stats technique. guest: the local government right now is within sector that is consistently still losing jobs. you notice the local government employment grew significantly up to the middle of the recession but since the recession it has lost about 400,000 jobs. host: then this one is the civilian unemployment rate. so, what is this? guest: this is the rate for everybody. and it is civilian because we don't collect information on military based in the united states. it is a data collection issue. host: so it is public and private sector? guest: yes. and you will notice that the unemployment rate is around 9% now. it peaked at around 10%. it is still significant since the start of the recession. host: let's listen to a call

from harrisburg, pennsylvania. scott. caller: thank you. i'm a wholesale distributor of grain and i have seen a recent uptick inusiness. i was at a fabricator the other day and for the first time in two years i have seen all of his machines running. w, everybody seems to be busy right now but none of us, myself included, have added employees because we are not su. our numbersere off from what our tradition feel usually july and august were slow but they have been extremely busy. months when we normally make money have been upnd down. we are having a hard time understanding what is going on. so we're not hiring because we are not sure if this is a blip and september, october, november, december going to be

do down. september, october, november for me because we are mostly a re remodel industry in the northea northeast. it usually is good but last year it was awful. host: we have to go with that. he leaves us with somethingf a ray of hope, uncertainty but more manufacturing activity. closing comment on unemployment in the united states and overall how we are doing? guest: well, we still haven't made very much progress in the recovery from the recession. we have made some progress but it has been a little slow. last four months in particular i think allowed the job growth -- a lot of the job growth has been stalled. we are not

the presiding officer: is there objection? mr. mcconnell: reserving the right to object and the indulgence of my good friend, the majority leader, let me make brief remarks about where we are. for anyone who's confused about what's going on in congress right now, let me make it easy. in order to keep the government running beyond next week, congress needs to pass a short-term bill that funds government operations at a spending level both parties can agree to. the good news is we've already agreed on a spending level. that's already been done. last night the house of representatives passed a bill that meets that figure that we agreed on a couple of months ago. here's the holdup: because of some of the horrible weather we've had over the past several weeks, we've all agreed to add

emergency funds that we didn't originally plan in this bill, and republicans identified a couple of cuts to make sure we don't make the deficit any bigger than it already is, including an offset that leader pelosi has used in the past. the rest is from a cut to a loan guarantee program that gave us the solyndra scandal. now i think we can all agree that this program should be put on hold until we get more answers, but our friends on the other side don't like the idea. they'd rather just add these funds to the deficit. why? because they say that's the way we've always done things around here. well, i think there's a lesson we can draw from the debates we've been having here overhe last six months, is that the american people won't accept that excuse any longer. the whole "that's the way we've always done it" argument is the reason we've got a $14 trillion

debt right now. if we pass this bill fema will have the funds they need -- have the funds they need -- to respond to these emergencies. that's not the issue here. what's at issue is whether we're going to add to the debt or not. we have a path forward to get disaster funding done right here today. there's absolutely no reason, in my judgment, to delay funding for disasters until monday, as my opinion friend, the majority leader, is now asking us to do. i don't think we ought to delay at all. now we just received the amendment a few minutes ago, but we're aware of what it does. and i think it' important for us to try to resolve this issue sooner rather than later. let's just walk through the next few days. if we don't have this vote until monday, then that leaves 24 hours or so before the jewish holidays begin, and then several days before the end of the

fiscal year. it strikes me that we'd be better off to go ahead and have this vote now and enter into the discussions that will probably now be delayed until sometime monday night to see how we can resolve this impasse between the house and senate. we'd be happy to have the cloture vote on my friend, the majority leader's proposal right now rather than monday night so we can get clear sense of where we stand. so it's my view that we ought to have the vote today rather than wait until monday and basically squander the next few days toward getting an agreement we know we have to reach. therefore, mr. president -- and i thank my friend the majority leader for letting me explain my position, i object. mr. reid: mr. president? the presiding officer: objection is heard. mr. reid: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader.

mr. reid: first of all, my friend, i'm sure understands that this great piece of legislation that was sent to us by the house received 36 votes over here. it was tabled on a bipartisan basis. mr. president, the matter that's now before the senate is really a nice piece of legislation. it funds the government till november 18. that's what the house wanted. it also has money in the bill to take care of fema, and we recognize that even though we passed a bill here with bipartisan support that had $6.9 billion, which we believe is an appropriate figure, in an effort to comprise in this c.r., we have the number that t house thinks is a better number. that's what is before us.

and so, mr. president, my suggestion to my friend -- and he is my friend -- is that the two democratic leaders, reid and pelosi, the two republican leaders -- mcconnell and boehner -- should cool off a little bit, work through this. there's a compromise here, and the compromise is now before the senate. everyone once in a while needs a little cooling off period. the government is not shutting down. fema is not out of money. we'llome here money. more reasonable heads will prevail and i would hope over the weekend that the four leaders can lead their troops in the right direction. so i again ask unanimous consent the vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur with the amendment occur at 5: p.m. monday september 26. the presiding officer: is there objection? mr. mcconnell: mr. president, reserving the right to object, obviously here in the senate we would have a 60-vote vote, and

that's what we will have monday afternoon. i see no reason why we shouldn't advance that to now so that it can be clear whether or not this measure would pass the senate. i'm pretty confident it will not. and i don't see any purpose to be served by delaying the outcome of that, making the outcome clear to monday when we can have a clear outcome today. therefore i object. mr. reid: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. reid: thank you, mr. president. first of all, we have a piece of legislation at the desk that takes care of all the issues. it takes care of funding -- it takes care of the c.r. until after october 1. it also takes care of fema for the forseeable future. at's a nice piece of legislation. it's not our number.

it's the house number. so i ask unanimous consent the reid motion to concur on the house amendment to the senate amendment h.r. 2608 with amendment 656 be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid on the table with no intervening action or debate, and any statements relating to this bill be placed in the record at the appropriate place as if read. in fact, what we'resking here is that the c.r. with the fema language be passed. the presiding officer: is there objection? mr. mcconnell: mr. president, we'll have that vote on monday. i object. the presiding officer: socks lettered. mr. reid: i renew my reest. the vote is monday, is that right? i would tell everyone, mr. president, as my friend said, we'll have the vote on monday. we'll keep the vote open if people are really pressed on planes. i'll work with the republican leader and make sure s protected as much as possible. the presiding officer: is there objection to th the renewd

request for monday?

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a living an example of democracy. i thank you very much for your kind attention. unitedin a speech to the nations, the prime minister of japan talked-about the fukushima nuclear crassus, the worst since the chernobyl disaster in 1966, and the lessons japan has

learned over nuclear safety. his remarks are 25 minutes. >> ladies and gentleman, i express my gratitude to the former president for his tenure as president. i would also like to pay my deep respect for is leadership. this has been a year of extraordinary challenges for japan. a little more than six months have passed since the great earthquake hit japan. nearly 20,000 people were killed or remain missing. nearly 40,000 were forced to

evacuate and continue to endure inconvenience in their daily lives. i am truly proud to see the noble spirit of the japanese people even amidst this hardship. the nurses and trainees have evacuated 120 patients from hospitals.

she stayed on at the hospital for several days, taking care of the patients in the absence of electricity and water supplies. in brazil, the children of a small rural town collected change and sent their contributions to us in a tin can. i heard that when asked why, one of the children answered that it was because japan, a friend of brazil, was suffering. university students in chile and nairobi in memory of japanese quake sang ahe earth quake popular japanese song.

"let us walk looking up." they wished to deliver the song to the japanese people. these are only a few such stories among tens of thousands. the world expressed friendship and solidarity as well as praise for the japanese people immediately after the earthquake. on behalf of the people of japan, i express my heartfelt gratitude for the helping hand extended from all over the world. these bonds and the international community will be forever remembered by the japanese. since the events of march, the sounds of recovery have been echoing throughout japan. the government of japan has been exerting all efforts to restore and reconstruct the

disaster affected areas. the daily lives of those outside the affected areas have almost returned to normal the infrastructure and economy of the area, which were washed away by these a nominee, are recovering. still damaged supply chains are close to full restoration. they have been reminded of the role of japanese companies play in sustained growth of the global economy. while making progress toward securing control of the situation at the fukushima nuclear plant station. we are focusing our efforts on moving up the existing target to achieve a cold shutdown status by the end of this year. a number of other challenges remain to be addressed, including the removal of debris and the livelihood of the japanese people in the affected areas. we are fully engaged in the

efforts of restoration and reconstruction 7 japan's renewal can be realized without delay. mr. president, as the new leader of japan, i am deeply honored to discuss and share japan's ambitions for the world podgy future as well as our future with all of those in attendance today at the united nations general assembly. the world is undergoing tremendous changes, including those now under way in the middle east and north africa. these changes have been brought away -- brought about. in this experience of the massive earthquake in march, japan became aware of the bonds of other people in the world. we of come to realize how important their responsibility to be fulfilled by each individual is and to society. we have never felt more strongly the significance of

promoting human security. japanese diplomacy works hand in hand with all the world leaders here at the united nations with a determination to make a contribution to overcoming the challenges the world is facing and to shaping a brighter future for humanity. mr. president, allow me to touch upon japan's efforts for the growth of the world economy. japan has a long history of assisting developing countries in building of a society's through nation-building efforts and human-resources. japan understands very well from its own experience that the economic growth is a strong middle-class.

to strengthen the middle class, it is necessary to construct a social foundation upon which all individuals can enhance their capacities and develop them into an -- develop them to their fullest. from this perspective, japan will continue to support developing countries. we must not let current global economic uncertainty and global unrest hamper the efforts of the community toward growth. it is vital that all countries cooperate in order to create harmony out of the current chaos. i, myself, have committed to do my best as the new leader of japan. achieving economic growth in tandem with fiscal health is the

most crucial challenge confronting the world at the present time. japan will press ahead with its targets for restoration and fiscal sustainability. meanwhile, we recognize that revitalization of the japanese economy is directly linked to the rebuilding of the world economy. we will work on the stripping of industrial infrastructure, employment, and energy conservation towards the achievement of a full-fledged recovery from the earthquake disaster. in the mid to long term, we intend to further reinforce partnerships between the japanese and other global economies. it is also important that trade activities not be disturbed by the currency volatility. moreover, stable growth of the japanese economy will promote the attainment of a low carbon society and a chance -- in the

transition into a green economy. the keys to achieving these goals is technological innovation in the areas of renewable energies, energy saving, and clean use of fossil fuels. movement referred to as "green innovation." by summer of next year, the government of japan will create a new strategy on japan's mid to long-term energy composition to pursue a bold energy shift. japan will further improve on its excellent safe, secure, and environment-friendly technologies as represented by energy-efficient houses, electric appliances, and electric vehicles. japan will make useful contributions to the growth of the global economy and to a brighter future of all and a discussion.

mr. president, japan will seek a safe and brighter future with full force. the maximum vertical height on shore above a sea level, called the run-up height, of the tsunami that hit the district creased as high as 40 meters. the highest ever observed in japan's history. we have learned that we must be very well prepared. in that regard, there are contributions that japan is uniquely qualified to make. the first lesson at the japan's -- the first lesson from japan's recent tragedy is the importance of international cooperation in disaster reduction. we have a long history of combating and overcoming disasters.

we are prepared to share with the world our a cumulative knowledge and skills as a country which has learned to cope harmoniously with nature. japan will hold an international conference in the disaster stricken region next year to boost international cooperation for natural disasters. japan proposes to host a third world conference on disaster reduction in 2015. a japan will take a leading role in creating a disaster resistant world society. next, japan hopes to share this acquired knowledge and experience in the field of nuclear safety. i welcome the holding yesterday of a high level meeting on this issue under the initiative of the secretary general. following the nuclear accident, japan has implemented emergency

safety measures and has further strengthened its nuclear regulation regime. at yesterday's meeting, i expressed my resolve to continue positively until the -- the reinforcement of a nuclear safety drawing on our experiences in the accident. next year japan will co-host an international conference with the iaea to share the results of the overall assessment of the accident in comprehensive detail and contribute to the various measures taken to raise the standards for nuclear safety although some countries regrettably are still imposing undue restrictions on imports from japan, our government will continue to provide prompt and accurate information on this matter with transparency.

i request that all countries make sound judgments based upon the scientific evidence. mr. president, global threats continue to proliferate. it is essential to solve the root conference of these threats what taking steps to address them. japan will continue to respond to those challenges in order to ensure a brighter and more peaceful future. with regard to the issue of piracy off the coast of somalia, japan will remain actively engaged with combating the problem with two destroyers and patrol aircraft. japan intends to make an effort toward the eradication of terrorism as well as its causes.

despite the passage of a decade since the 911 attacks, our collective sarraute has yet to be healed. i would like to and express our sincere condolences on the demise of the chairman of the council of afghanistan. japan reiterates its firm condemnation of these atrocious acts of terrorism. in order to prevent afghanistan from once again becoming a agree -- breeding ground for terrorism, we will continue to confront the problems with strong results. japan has expressed its commitment to provide approximately $5 billion u.s. dollars in assistance, focusing on security, reintegration of a former insurgents into society, and development. we will implement this commitment.

un peacekeeping missions are being dispatched to fragile and conflict-prone states. japan will continue towards the efforts for peacekeeping by actively participating in those operations. we must further improved circumstances to this end. at the same time, we will do our best to achieve the ideal of a world without illegal weapons. crew such efforts as the non- proliferation initiative. the nuclear and missile issues pose a threat to the entire and the national committee. japan continues to urge concrete actions toward their resolution. in particular, they issue represents a is -- and a violation of basic human rights. it is a matter of big concern for the entire international community.

japan is committed to continuing its utmost efforts to realize the return of all the victims at the earliest possible date through strengthened accord nations through other member states. with regard to japan, we intend to maintain our approach to comprehensively resolve the outstanding issues of concern, especially the unfortunate past and normalize relations in accordance with a declaration. japan and urges positive steps in order that our country's may move toward this goal. in recent years, the united nations is taken on greater significance than ever. in order for the united nations to tackle these issues more effectively, japan will continue to support efficiency and reinforce the functions of the united nations. security council reform is absolutely necessary in this respect. we must accelerate the

stagnated reform process. all member states must proactively commit to the reform with a sense of urgency that it would effect the credibility of the united nations. japan intends to launch substantive negotiations towards reform with like-minded members to make tangible achievements during this session. mr. president, as i promised moments ago, japan will recover from the earthquake disaster and seek a peaceful, safe, and a brighter future side-by-side with the leaders gathered here. for that purpose, japan will maintain its contribution to the attainment of the millennium goals. focusing on health and education. moreover, japan will continue

its contribution to the development of africa by hosting the fifth an international conference on african development in 2013. regarding the support for developing countries suggest climate change. japan will implement its commitments. japan will continue to support beyond 2012. mr. president, today i would like to announce japan's new commitments. firstly, i wish to congratulate the people of the republic of south sudan on achieving their independence. i assure that japan will extend support for the nation-building efforts in south sudan as well as for the consolidation of peace in the region. japan is eager to make contributions to the un mission in south sudan in the fields for which sudan a sales.

we are prepared to dispatch japanese defense force personnel to headquarters as start officers. japan is interested in dispatching an engineer leader to which the un expresses a high expectations. japan will conduct necessary film studies as early as possible. secondly, japan will remain involved in the international community paltry efforts against humanitarian crises the most pressing challenges at present is the drought in the horn of africa which is directly affecting the children of the region. japan will provide further humanitarian aid in addition to assistance worth $100 million. the last commitment i would like to announce concerns the middle east and north africa. japan was reports of form and democratization efforts in this region, which is often -- which is when two massive change,

often referred to as the arab spring. japan is prepared to extend 1 billion u.s. dollars in total for projects expected to continue infrastructure and industrial development. we will provide support to ensure fair elections in tunisia and egypt where polls are expected to be held in autumn of this year. for a new libya, japan will support the nation's this is a building efforts in cooperation with the international committee, utilizing its expertise and technological capacity. japan will deepen conversations with middle east and north african countries while promoting trade and investment through such means as trade insurance and export loans. as middle east peace represents a linchpin for the peace and stability for the region, japan

will make active efforts, such as extending assistance to the palestinians, for the two-state solution. mr. pandit, in conclusion, i will touch briefly on what i have felt. after the events of the 11th of march this year, i strongly felt the magnificence of police society in which each individual undertakes action in an orderly manner. a society in which people help each other. in addition, all lines of for the bullet train, including a chain moving during the earthquake, made it emergency stops safely without causing a single injury. i believe this demonstrates and bears witness to japan's high level of technological advancement. i believe and the strength of japanese people.

i am certain that such resilience, much -- both human and technological, will be the source of japan's future, does it -- contribution to the international community. ladies and gentleman, let us take on the challenges for the resolution of the issues confronting the world today with a strong determination to open up a broader way for humanity. as the new leader of japan, i am determined to make progress step-by-step towards a more peaceful, prosperous, and positive future hand in hand with the leaders assembled here today. the people of japan as well as the government are determined to overcome any and all difficulties. we will continue our contribution towards a brighter future for the people of the world. i would like to close my

statement by reiterating our determination and thank you for your attention. >> the south sudanese president announced -- addressed the u.n. assembly. he said that south sudan was in dire need of help. south sudan declared its independence in july from the north after a two decades long war. this is 15 minutes. >> the president of the united nations general assembly, your excellency, heads of states and governments, heads of delegations, distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman,

allow me first of all to congratulate you for your election as the president of the united nations assembly for this 66 session. we wish you all the success during your term of office. in the same way, we congratulate the un secretary general for winning the election for the second time. that was because of the confidence he has won from the people of the united nations. your excellency, i have looked

into the global issues. being at the youngest nation in this family of nations, our country is just two months and 14 days today. you can see how many problems and challenges are ahead of us. i have the privilege of addressing this meeting. on behalf of the people of south sudan. our most sincere a profound gratitude for the warmth with which our state has been

welcomed into the community of world nations. my people in south sudan and i personally here with you in new york regard this significant moment as yet another milestone on the longer list of our achievements. bob would like to seize this opportunity also once again to salute many of you. we are indebted to many friends in this great hall. without your efforts, it would not be easy for us to arrive where we are today. we owe a debt of gratitude to the friends and partners.

we signed a comprehensive peace agreement in 2005. as an emerging nation, we have been embroiled in conflict at different periods of time. for five decades, the republic of south sudan stands in dire need of all the help it can get. nations would normally expect to rebuild. this is not the case for us. before the ravages of war could set in, our country never had

anything worth rebuilding. we categorize our nation as one of construction rather than reconstruction. our independence and was greeted from all corners of the world. we hope it translate into is assistance for south sudan. the process will be a long one. that is why we need butte -- need you on this difficult journey.