monday night, and a clock eastern. -- 9:00 eastern. next, leaders an associated press ceo talks about the government's seizure of telephone records. after that, and discussion of prayer in public schools. >> on wednesday, congressional leaders along with the vice president joe biden honored for two donuts -- frederick douglass. it included john boehner and nancy pelosi. and mitch mcconnell. washington d.c. delegates eleanor holmes norton and ms. nettie washington douglass, the great great granddaughter of

frederick douglass. this is over in our. , thedies and gentlemen speaker of the house of representatives, the honorable john boehner. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, good morning and welcome to emancipation hall. this a proud day for all americans especially so for the leaders and the residents of the district of columbia. we have long labored to see this day,. we offer you our gratitude and congratulations today. [applause] the man whose statue we are gathered here to dedicate today was in the minds of many of the including abraham lincoln, one of our greatest americans.

he is depicted here today standing by a podium giving an address. we lean forward and listen carefully as captivated audiences on what to did. his name is frederick douglass. he said he was born into slavery sometime in february and eight to 18 he was never ever able to determine the day. -- in 1818. he had to tulsa with his master's dog for food. he learned to read. he started with a bible. this lit a fire in him. a passion for liberty and you can still see in his eyes. indeed, once you learn how to read, he says, you will forever be free. he resolved to escape.

two, hetry or succeeded. a remarkable story. yet, we are just getting darted. -- started. he does not join the anti-slave movement, he becomes the voice. he writes books. he started a weekly newspaper. he is meeting with president lincoln about a better treatment for african-americans and the union army. still as he says, our work is not done. our speaker will go on to help the women's rights movement come into its own. he will be named the u.s. marshall on an ambassador. at the republican national convention, he became the first african-american to have the -- hisste in nomination name placed in nomination for president. he will endure integrity. -- frederickss

douglass set an example for unity that is unmatched. he is a man for all generations. today, we play some kings and fors -- its leader -- for leaders to seek inspiration. we do this not only to honor a giant but to remind one another of how richly blessed with our that such a man lived to prove that ambition is not a gift of status and a gift from god. anything is achievable through struggle and hard work. he would often say what is possible for me is also possible for you. that capital has many statues and this one of frederick douglass will hold a special place in our hearts and in our capital city. thank you all for being here

today. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen him a plea stand the visitation of the colors -- gentlemen, please stand for the colors. ♪

[national anthem]

♪

>> ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing as the chaplain gives the invocation. >> let us pray. all hidden source of life, we are astounded by your great and gracious for you are an equal opportunity distributor of talents and dreams.

we thank you for this inortunity to place a statue the united states capital as a fitting tribute to frederick douglass who worked to ensure that our nation honors its promise of liberty and opportunity for all. lord, we are grateful for his commitment to freedom which inspires us to rededicate ourselves to the timeless principles he struggled to uphold. we praise you for his rejection of violence. on refusal to retreat important issues. and his ability to persuade

allies in order to achieve his objectives. ,nspired by his great life empower us to serve your purposes for our lives and our generation by bringing deliverance to cap this in the sight to the morally and spiritually blind. ,e pray in your merciful name amen. >> lisa be seated. please be seated. >> the honorable eleanor holmes norton. [applause]

>> thank you. mr. vice president, speaker boehner, have reread thomas nancy pelosi, howard professor dr. edna g. medford and the douglass family led by its matriarch, ms. nettie washington douglass. the great, great granddaughter of frederick douglass who we all are pleased to welcome to the capital today. [applause] it took a community to choose frederick douglass tuber present the capital joining statues from the 50 states. at the entire congress to bring the statue to the capital today.

i especially find and easy residents who selected frederick douglass to represent the district and the capital. our residents are accustomed to hosting national and international years who make the district their home. none before or since it douglass however have so joined his national prominence and philosophy with the aspirations of the people of the district of columbia. douglass lived here for 23 of his 57 years as a free man. he knew and felt deeply about where he lived. he refused to separate his life in the district from the quality of his courageous life. rising from bondage to the, the most prominent abolitionist and a leader of the women's suffrage movement acknowledged even in his lifetime as one of the

greatest americans. the district shares douglass with maryland and new york. -- but few had uttered him for his active life. as a resident of the distant columbia, building his home in cedar hill here. inational historic site southeast washington. douglass andhow bedded himself in the life of the district of columbia serving most of his years here as a howard university trustee. even as he traveled the country and the world, there has been too little recognition that as he wasent of d.c., nominated to three local post which was the upper chamber of of the. council, part

home rule government during reconstruction and as a u.s. marshall for the federal courts here. lostnew frederick douglass the republican nomination? on congressional voting rights and independent self-government. the struggle the residents of the district columbia continued today. for douglass, the district was no mere address. he lived what he stood for were ever he lived. some may know of my views that residents must enjoy self- government rights with other americans.

i must come for to mr. douglass whoseview is unmatched -- view is unmatched. --1895, douglass spoke to ."oke defiantly "to take sides , thethstanding, he said frowns or the smiles of the present government. he called the residents of the district "aliens, not citizens but subjects." and what he called 20 taxation but not representation in the great politics of the country. mr. douglass did not admit his words but spoke with militancy and the voice of a local citizen at the height of his international celebrity. today, or have his most famous inspireditate, agitate

the district's determination to become the 51st state. douglass is life and his deep commitment to our equal rights are the reasons that his statue is here to be unveiled today as 650,000rom the almost american citizens of the district of columbia. these are the reasons that the d.c. council authorized the statue of frederick douglass. the statue stands seven feet tall. frederick douglass stood even taller. as a world leader to his hometown and refused to temper his demands for congressional voting rights at the local self- government for the residents of

the district of columbia. this was the great douglass. this was frederick douglass of the district of columbia. thank you very much. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the senator from new york, charles schumer. [applause] >> thank you. i am honored to speak at this location. first i want to warmly welcome everybody west come to join us today. this important and he start defense. especially all of the new yorkers. .- this important and historic i want to recognize an eighth grader who is a two-time winner of the frederick douglass

oratorical contest. [applause] we gather here today and emancipation hall to celebrate the remarkable legacy of a great, great man -- frederick douglass. for 25 years, he made his home in rochester, new york. he was a statesman, and abolitionist, a self-taught writer and an advocate for justice and freedom. it was in rochester where he published the influential anti- slavery newspaper "the ," was also largest african-american paper in the country. he filed for emancipation and equality and dignity for every american at a time when our democracy was far from perfect. it was the only african- american to attend the first women's rights convention in 1848 in seneca falls, new york.

rochester incidentally was the center of the fight for freedom throughout the 19th century. cynical false a short distance from rochester. destiny call false and short seneca falls a- short distance from rochester. frederick douglass lived in washington dc where he served in many positions including federal marshal and president of the friedmans savings and trust company while he carried on as a national leader for syllable rights. -- civil rights. after his body was laid to rest in 1895, the people of rochester erected the first monument honoring him in 1899. the people of washington dc have also undertook this great man who called their city home at the latter years of his life. i want to thank the people of washington for generously

donating this culture which will be seen by millions of visitors every year. it is not an accident that his statue stands here next to the marker dedicated to the enslaved laborers who built the capital that completed the capital dome during the civil war. these workers were among the millions of slaves who frederick douglass, a former slave himself, dedicated his life to free. the statue of frederick douglass joins elite three other sculptures of african-americans in the u.s. capital. martin luther king jr., rosa parks, sojourner truth. for too long, the cap the collection of statues failed to include courageous africans americans who led some the most important movement and the nations and world history. the installation of this statue

in a place named emancipation hall is just one step toward correcting that glaring omission. the base of the statue bears an inscription with the words frederick douglass and was said .- famously said 155 years ago he said, "if there is no struggle, there is no progress ." , millionsng struggle of tourists who come across a country no longer have to wait to see this statue and the place where it belongs. now this generation and future generations can honor the legacy of furtive douglass at the center of democracy -- frigid douglass at the center of frederickefault -- douglass at the center of

for.racy he fought there is no more fitting way of honoring him than with this statue. thank you. [applause] dr.adies and gentlemen, edna g. medford of howard university. [applause] >> thank you and good morning. thank you so much all of you for being here on this important occasion. today, we honor a man whose life taxable fights a deep commitment to human and civil rights both at home and abroad. that he lived at a time when many americans accepted without hesitation one person 's ownership of another. when inequality was for white men only makes his legacy all

the more extraordinary. despite having been born into slavery, he spent most of his 77 years rejecting any limitations on his own ambitions. as system that all people enjoy dignity and fair treatment. his motto, where there is no struggle, there is no progress signaled his commitment to fight for fellow african americans and slavery and freedom. women who have been done my -- who have been denied equal society.in and the many others who faced oppression. douglass began his own personal struggle of maryland eastern shore and continue in baltimore where he was able to expand his defined world through literacy. a privilege denied to most enslaved people. it encouraged him at 20 two

still away to the north. along with his freeborn wife, laid he later writes -- claim to the rights of other free man. political voice equal to all other citizens. within a few years, he joined s andanks of abolitionist landed his oratorical skills to providing an eloquent and fearless voice that articulated and needs and desires at the african-american community. to challenged the nation live up to its creed of the quality of all. hadre he reached 30, he written the first of three autobiographies and have made his first trip to the british isles where he found support for his effort to eradicate slavery in america.

, civil warter pitted one section of the country against the other. his condemnation urged a review -- a reluctant union and the president to embrace the goal of freedom for nearly 4 million enslaved people. to openraged the union its ranks to black men. when it did, he used his name and his persuasive abilities to convince them that taking up the union cause helped to destroy slavery and secure their right to be treated as citizens. during the war, he advised resident lincoln on matters involving the welfare of these men walk continuing to press for equality for african-americans throughout the country. when his home in new york burned under mysterious circumstances in 1872, he moved to washington where for nearly

two decades he championed the causes affecting residents politicalfull participation. he continued to work for the nationwide advancement of african-americans. freedmen's over the bank.very -- during the years he was a resident here that he lent his support as a trustee to the recent established howard university where african- americans could pursue a formal education that he had been denied. he served the institution for 25 years. he was never elected to public office. his demonstrated skill led to several appointments including 2 local positions. they have been mentioned.

united states marshal and recorder of deeds. and the international arena, he served as a minister to haiti and the dominican republic. he viewed these opportunities not as personal successes, but indicators of the progress of the race. , author,ist, orator statesman, defender of women's rights, champion of civil rights for all. he believed as the pretzels espoused in the documents -- in in thenciples espoused nation's documents. as ours,rds, "a nation there should be no bridge among no port,, no high -- there

rich, no poor, nog high, no low, no black thomas no white." this statue is it representative of the people of the district, a fitting tribute of a man who never faltered to secure the rights of all people to control their own destiny. he would be proud to be represented here and proud that his spirit of perseverance and determination remain with the people of the district of columbia. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, mrs. laurie williams. ♪

oh, freedom. oh, freedom. oh, freedom. over me

and before i would be a slave, i would be buried in my grave. to my lord and be free. crying no nore dying cryingore no more dying and before i would be a slave, i would be buried in my grave. and togo home to my lord

be free. there'll be singing. there'll be singing. over me.be singing ,nd before i would be a slave i would be buried in my grave. and bego home to my lord free.

and before i would be a slave, i would be buried in my grave. to my lord and be free. and be free. [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen, the democratic leader of the house of representatives, the honorable nancy pelosi. [applause] >> good morning, everyone. mr. vice president, mr. speaker, leader reid and mcconnell. senator schumer, the sponsor of the bill brings us here today. and of course our colleague and called -- and congresswoman, eleanor holmes norton. congratulations, this is your day. [applause]

and nettie,medford congratulations to you and your family. 150 years ago, as midnight approached in 1863, frederick douglass gathered with fellow abolitionist and tremont temple in boston with great anticipation they waited the official news of emancipation. knowing that freedom of people and the character of a nation hung in the balance. describing the spirit in that room, frederick douglass would later write, "we were awaiting for a boat from the sky. watching a by the light of the stars for the dawn of the new day. we will long for the answer to ." sixayers or centuries

escaping slavery he had agitated to usher the dawn of a new day. as the clock struck midnight, and agonizing prayer was answered. resident lincoln -- president -- emancipation proclamation. twoould take until june 19 reached texas. year on new year's eve, a group of members went to the national archives to reach and that 150th anniversary of the emancipation proclamation and to recognize all who helped make it a reality. central tomore than that cause was frederick douglass. in that time, he stood tall at

the center of the battle for abolition and civil rights. for an american that lived up to the creed of the quality. starting today, frederick douglass will stand tall at the u.s. capitol, a tribute to his leadership, his permanent place, and a pantheon of history. frederick douglass earned fame and recognition as an abolitionist and a leader. but is also a leader in the fight for women's suffrage. many of us celebrated frederick douglass another time by visiting pinnacle falls on the wonder 50th anniversary of the seneca falls of the wonder 50th anniversary. we celebrate him what we visit the national historic site right here in washington dc.

as a person born in baltimore, i know elijah and donna and other in hisues take pride maryland association as well. when it comes to equality in our country, richard douglass -- frederick douglass' voice is still being heard. the seat of d.c. voting rights and his decision to spend the last years of his life at cedar hill in washington. today, the more the 600,000 citizens of washington bluefly a wille finally rubbers -- finally see a statue representing them in the relentless efforts of congresswoman eleanor holmes norton. we know a single statue is not enough.

frederick douglass and so many of us want full representation in the halls of congress and as he wrote of the people of d.c. their voice --" we must wrong this right in history and give d.c. the voice it deserves. [applause] 50 years ago tom a president kennedy spoke -- 50 years ago, president kennedy spoke about civil rights. asspoke for the first time a moral issue. he reminded us that our nation will not be totally free until all of our citizens are free. ofay i'm a with a statue frigid douglass, we honor a man of moral vision known by many as

the father of the civil rights movement. a leader who worked to make our nation fully free. he joins fellow heroes on that journey who have been acknowledged who are present in the capital. martin luther king jr., sojourner truth, rosa parks to his rightful place in the capital. we want more. he understood the truth of douglass'statement. it never did and it never will. frederick douglass demanded freedom. he demanded a nation that stayed true to its ideals. a demanded and help achieve more perfect union. we still have work to do. -- thingsmany causes

on this beautiful statue. is it a beautiful? , -- in that is emmy degrade.n can how perfect. how beautiful. may it along stand as a testament to the inspirational life and timeless message and extraordinary leadership of frederick douglass. thank you. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, throughout the leader of the senate, the honorable mitch mcconnell. of therepublican leader senate, the honorable mitch mcconnell. [applause] >> mr. vice president, thank you for being with us and my colleagues on the stage. , we broke ground on

the visitor center that surrounds us. americanwas that the people when they came to visit their representatives in washington deserved a place that would help them appreciate the .istory of this great country and in pursuit of that goal, congress specifically authorized the creation of emancipation hall. where we are arena now gathered together, to bring attention to the contributions of the enslaved laborers who helped to build the capital. it is fitting that the original is located here. the statue is self located on the roof of the capital --

capitol. .t was done by a slave he's a free free man by the time he finished. it is fitting that we dedicate the statue today. like the parade, frederick reed,ss -- phillip frederick douglass entered this world and shuttles. and he left free. in somellegal jurisdictions to even teach a slave to read. he found a way to not only become literate but to expect slavery and achieve -- escape slavery and achieve great things. as a free man, he became a leader in the abolitionist movement. an orator am a teacher, a gifted writer, a presidential advisor, and a leader of the republican

party. which he described as the party .f freedom and progress in short, he became a powerful voice for the betterment of all nations and its citizens. , atas been said previously the 1888 republican convention, he became the first african- american to get a roll call vote for president. another party nominate him as vice president. why? he was recognized as a leader area a man who gave his all for his country and dedicated his liberty to the freedom of others. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the honorable harry reid.

[applause] >> a decade after president abraham lincoln's death, frederick douglass spoke in praise to the great and mr. pater. -- emancipated. to the gave greater life he works spirit of abraham lincoln. it is no wonder that lincoln and douglass felt such an affinity for one another. present lincoln rose from poverty to preserve the union. douglass escaped slavery to inspire a movement. it is fitting that frederick douglass and his voice of freedom park and unyielding advocate should be honored with an enduring monument. that 600t and proper

thousand american citizens who reside in the district of columbia should have a statue representing them here. washington d.c. residence pay taxes just like those from nevada and california and any other state. fought and died in every war. washington d.c. residence deserve the same right to self- government in congressional representation like any other state. [applause] the district of columbia deserves statehood. [applause] it is to show how serious i am this, i signed my name as a sponsor.

[applause] sponsored legislation is one thing, but congress should act to grant the state took to a gift of 600,000 people, the same privilege that every other citizen has. [applause] this is not some unique idea i came up with. this is close to frederick douglass' heart. in the he championed many causes, he was also an a for equaldvocate rights for district of columbia residents. days before the end of the civil war, he spoke of the right of every american with regards to race and gender to vote at the ballot box and represent congress. this is what he said.

"if he knows enough to pay taxes that support the government money he knows enough to vote. taxation and representation should go together. if he knows enough to shoulder a musket and fight for the flag, he knows enough to vote. ."is applies to women also dataict still lack a district breath -- district residents still lack a vote. summit to rules. there is no better historical figure to represent the district and frederick douglass. honorers should not only his legacy but also an act of

congress. [applause] as late as in judgment, the speaker -- >> ladies and gentlemen, the speaker of the house, john boehner. thank my colleagues for their testimonials. we are fortunate to have many honored guests. you are about to hear from 2 of them. let me express how grateful i am to senator schumer and congresswoman norton for helping us fill this hole with more than 600 guest to represent a cross- section of urgent douglass life and his legacy. that includes mayor great and gray and the-- d.c. counsel.

and his longtime home in rochester. we are joined by guests representing his travels throughout europe as well as museum directors from across the country and members of boards and associations dedicated to arts and education and our national parks. these are the men and women who long before the long after give their time and energy to preserving frederick douglass is life and work. our most special guest today and you would agree are the students and educators here in the d c area including frederick douglass high school in maryland. welcome to all of you. [applause] of course, we are grateful to the white house and the obama administration for recognizing the importance of this day.

it is my honor and privilege to introduce to you the vice president of the united states, joe biden. [applause] >> thank you very much, mr. speaker. thank you you all very much. ,r. speaker, leader pelosi id and mcconnell and rea ms. nettie washington douglass, what a proud day for your family. dr. edna g. medford, great to see you here. dr. black and reverent. laurie williams. you have the voice of an angel. you are amazing. [applause] thank you for having me here.

i am honored to be here. thank you for fighting so hard for this day. mitch, i agree with you. -- frederickss was douglass was a great republican, one of my favorite. [laughter] as are you mitch, as are you. he was born in a horrific circumstance sanctioned by bthe laws passed in this very building. he embraced the stated principles and use them as a sort to try and free others. he fought to make it live up to this capitol and those enabling words -- ennobling words in the constitution.

is juneory over slavery 1 three. -- 13. to message finally got texas. i did not mean it the way it sounded. [laughter] it just took time. it took a long time to get to delaware. the passage of the 13th and 14th amendments. he lived as has been pointed out to serve this government as a statesman and in other capacities. there's largely no one who fought harder for citizenship and fully quality that frederick douglass. douglassntury ago, asked a good question. he asks, what the people -- what have the people of the district and done that and they should be excluded from the privileges of the ballot box?

many representatives and residents like representative norton can trace their families back to former slaves. toking freedom and helped build the city. andgreed with the president i and frederick douglass and support home world, budget autonomy, and the vote for the people of the district of columbia. the people of the district made the right choice in selecting frederick douglass as a representative. eleanor holmes norton and douglass in this capitol. i do not see either of them leaving until all of the district residents get their voice. [applause]

>> our last speaker has the heir toion of being aan to great america. the great-granddaughter of booker t. washington and the great, great-granddaughter of frederick douglass. she is also the founder and chairwoman of the frederick .ouglass family initiatives ladies and gentlemen, join me in welcoming ms. nettie washington douglass. [applause] >> thank you very much. i want to thank you so much for sharing your love and respect for frederick douglass and give

me that warm greeting. i appreciate it. would like to first start by thanking vice president joe ,iden, house speaker joe byner ,- john byner, nancy pelosi senator schumer, commerce one and, a specialty why -- congresswoman norton, a special thank you. all of the classic written work, the famous quotes, the powerful speeches, and remarkable a collusion of a frigid douglass will be -- and remarkable collections of frederick douglass will be enshrined in emancipation hall. thosereasures belong --

treasures belong to history. the believe in spirit still belong to me. frigid douglass believed as a human being that all of us regardless of our race home a gender among religion, or sexual orientation were born to live free and equal. how easy it would have been up for a man born into chains to have the opposite view. frederick douglass believed as an american that the u.s. constitution and to declaration of independence were conceived to elevate every citizen of this great country. how easy it would have been for a man born without a country to reject its most sacred texts. he believed as an individual that reconciliation and forgiveness made us better as he

wrote to his former owner , but hatelove you slavery." how easy it would have been up that had so much missed lace loathing to carry the burden of hatred to his grave, but he did not. frigid douglass believes -- douglass'belief was also beyond understanding. i hold so closely to my heart the spirit of the man i am lucky enough to call my great, great grandfather. ,nd did though i cling tightly he is not mine alone. frederick douglass date in spirit as a birthright to all of us. on behalf of his family, i would like to say we are humbled by the honor of this handsome

bronze statue in this glorious hall. thehe same time, we pray spirit of frederick douglass will be as intensely in your heart in the hearts of people everywhere. thank you. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the army chorus. ♪

♪

♪

♪ ♪

[applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing as the chaplain of the united states house of representives gives the benediction. >> let us pray. we give you thanks all mighty depod for the appearance -- god for the appearance of promise, for the humility that we honor frederick douglas. the abolition of slavery, equal education for all, the desegregation of american schools, the right to vote, not only for black males in his own time but for women as well and the rights of immigrants. all of these championed by an ex-slave who lived in the middle of the 19th century.

as we leave this place, we remain challenged we remain echos of frederick doug glass' voice on issues that persist to our own time. may we never forget the incredible bravery and sacrifices of those, like frederick douglas who call us to greatness as american citizens. give us the grace, oh, god, to remain vigilant in a guaranteing that no person in our great land should ever suffer injustice like so many of our national once did. harrow wins please bless us all. dear god, bless america. amen.

>> ladies and gentlemen, please remain at your seats for the departure of the official party. ♪ >> up next the associated press talks about the government's seizure of telephone records. then research on the prayer in school. then the weekly addresses with president obama and minnesota congressman chairman of the education and work force committee.

tomorrow on "washington journal" obert rector and all lex nowrasteh debate the immigration olicy. "washington journal" live at 7:00 a.m. eastern on c-span. >> a lot of ways this is a challenging time for conservatives. we have a democratic president, and a liberal president. who has not only been elected but re-elected after putting in place ideas and programs and projects that i think are wrong headed. the public had a chance to think about it and they did re-elect him. it is a challenging time but it is also an exciting time. i try to do and many others are

trying to modernize conservativism and bring it into line as what the country faces now. and how to confront the challenges in the 21st century. neither party is doing a very good job with that. there's a lot of opportunity think about what americans in the 21st century need to change about the way it governs themselves to get back to economic growth, get back to processer thety, and caul revival that we need. it's challenging but exciting. >> more with international affairs edit sunday at 8:00 on -span's "q&q." >> let us direct attention to our common interests and the means by which those differences can be resolved. if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for

diversity. >> all free men, wherever they may live are citizens of berlin and, therefore, as a free man, i take pride in the words. >> >> you see a different president kennedy than in the first year. then in 1963, you see a different one again. he's preparing the ground for a real shot of the times and his nuclear test band treaty that was agreed to in the fall of 1963. while at the same time, also, building up defenses and seeking a way toward peace with this university speech. >> looking back at the 50th .nniversary speeches sunday it is part of american history

tv on c-span3. >> at a recent national club gathering, gary pruitt discussed the seizure of the agency's phone records. this is an hour. >> good afternoon, and welcome to the national press club. my name is angela, and im a reporter for bloomberg news and a president of the national press club. we are the world's leading professional organization for journalists committed to our profession's future while fostering a free press worldwide and at home. for more information about the national press club please visit our website at www dot press.org.