pick it up and this was a pause realized she shouldn't have said that to me. of thing.as the sort they clearly wanted to know what i was up to. one point their communications director and general counsel flew out to editork to meet with the who is working on my book. they really wanted to be sure was going to be a fair-minded account. schulman author of sons of wichita. we thank you very much for us. ng >> been my pleasure. for free transcripts or to give us your comments about this visit us at q&a.org. as podcasts.e

>> next a british prime minister david cameron takes questions from the members of the house of commons and outgoing president the congressional gold medal and another chance to with & a >> tomorrow on "washington journal," the author of 100 victories, special ops in the future of american warfare, discusses u.s. military options in iraq. john gable examines the impact of the health care law so far on insurance plans, including pricing. texas congressman henry don't

bonilla talks about the attempts to break gridlock in washington. we take your calls and you can join the conversation on facebook and twitter. "washington journal" live on c-span. >> during this week's question time, british prime minister david cameron discussed the hiring of former news of the world editor andy colson as his inmunications your back 2010. mr. colson was charged with intercepting voice mails, also known as phone hacking. the prime minister apologized to members for hiring him, saying it was the wrong decision. opposition leader ed miller band said the prime minister ignored all warnings against hiring him. his is just over 35 minutes. >> before i call mr. damien collins at the start of

questions for the prime minister, i wish to inform the house how i will be applying the rules to any exchanges on mr. 's case. it is important to members and those outside the house that the position is clear. that he isill learn been convicted on a charge of conspiracy to intercept communications. the court has not yet sentenced him for that offense. there has not yet been a verdict on two charges against him of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. the rules of the house's resolution, which the house rightly expects me to enforce, applied to criminal cases which are act if. they cease to be active when "

they are concluded by verdict and sentence." they apply in this case. at the same time, the houses resolution gives the chair discretion in applying the rules . i have taken appropriate advice , ande house would expect indeed been in receipt of which ited advice, for am, of course, grateful. in the light of all the dircumstances, i have decided,1 not to allow references to his sentencing, such as speculation on the nature of that sentence, and not to allow reference to those charges on which the verdict is awaited. i rely upon honorable members to exercise restraint, but if that proves unavailing, i will intervene.

questions to the prime minister. mr. damien collins. >> thank you, mr. speaker. this morning i have meetings -- have had meetings with your colleagues and others. i shall have further such meetings later today. >> the convention shows that the parliamentary inquiries of which i was a member was consistently misled to the extent of and knowledge of phone hacking. does the prime minister agree with me that he should be addressed to the victims of the phone hacking and also to the democratic freedom of the free press? >> my honorable friend is absolutely right. we should remember the victims, people who had their privacy racks. we should ensure that cannot happen again. cherish a free and

vibrant press in our country. i take full responsibility for y coulson. id always said if those assurances turned out to be wrong, i would apologize fully and frankly to this house of commons. and i do so again today. i am sorry. it was the wrong decision. i am -- i think it is right that we had a public inquiry in this country and it is right that we have proper investigations. yesterday showed that no one is above the law in our country. and. milib >> today we know that for four 'sars the prime minister handpicked closest advisor was a criminal and brought disgrace to downing street.

we now also know that the prime minister willfully ignored multiple warnings about him. on the eighth of july, 2009, the guardian published evidence of phone hacking on an industrial scale while he was the editor of the news of the world. he was hise, director of communications. what action did he take? >> as i said a moment ago, the assurances i saw and received with the same assurances the press complaints commission, by the select committee of this house, and by police investigation. they were also thoroughly gone , an inquiryiry supported. he talks about warnings specifically on the warning from the guardian. guardian did the not raise the issue with mr.

cameron at meetings, both in the months after the article was published and the following year. he said this. there can be no criticism of mr. cameron for not raising the issue. we had an exhaustive inquiry. i know he did not like the results of the inquiry, but he should accept it. , that is aker long-winded way of saying that lsen,it came to andy cou8 he just didn't want to know the evidence. first warning ignored. let's move on. the deputy prime minister warned him in person about his deep oulson. heout andy c was warned by his deputy. what action did he take? >> everyone one of these issues was dealt with by the inquiry.

>> mr. lucas, calm yourself. ande is a long way to go there needs to be calm on both sides of the house. the prime minister. >> every single one of these issues was dealt with exhaustively by the levers on inquiry. the extent to which there was a failure to act on previous warnings. that was what they looked into. he looked into all of these questions about the warnings i was given and the runs -- and the response i gave and he made no criticism of my conduct. i know that the right honorable gentleman was disappointed i the erson inquiry. but he called for it took place, and he should heed what it said. warning number two ignored.

then in september 2010, the new york times published a front-page investigation ndy coulson's detailed knowledge of phone hacking. what action did you take? inquiry called for, and inquiry is terms of reference he agreed, and i know you can't bear it, but leverson made no criticism of my contact dust of my conduct in this regard whatsoever. things't do all of these and then ignore what he has to say. speaker, all, mr. the questions he is raising today are not new. there are other questions dealt with by the inquiry.

>> the prime minister is offering an answer and it must be heard. order! it must be heard by the house. that will happen however long the session has to be run. let us be absolutely clear. understand why he doesn't want to listen to an eight-month long inquiry that cost 5 million pounds, that interviewed people under oath, that was led by a judge, but that is what he asked for, that is what was delivered, and it did not criticize my conduct in this regard at all. instead of casting aspersions, he should accept the inquiry that he is supporting. answer on any of the questions. no answer why he didn't act on the guardian. no answer why he didn't act on the deputy prime minister. no answer why he didn't act on

the new york times. let's come to the issue of betting, mr. speaker. >>er all is warnings -- there is the usual ranting from the usual suspects. be quiet, or if you can't be chamber.ave the we can perfectly well managed without you. warnings,all of those the very least he should have done is insisted immediately on coming to office that andy coulson have the highest level of security vetting. why did he not insist on a? , he looked directly into this issue in the inquiry. this is what he found. this is what he found. rson concluded this. the level of security clearance was not the decision of either . itcameron or mr. coulson

was the decision of the civil service. and those are the correct procedures. if the leader of the opposition's contention is that direct vetting would've gotten son'se bottom of mr. coul conduct at the news of the world, then he should be clear about what leverson found. the process about of involved a detailed investigation of hacking at the news of the world. that undermines the entire case that labor has been trying to make all morning. i know you don't agree with it. i know that he is so desperate not to talk about the economy, not to talk about unemployment, not to talk about the deficit,

but you can't rerun and inquiry that is already taken place. clear from the prime minister -- i will tell him it is failing to stand up for the right thing. now we know the rule of this prime minister is the block does not stop here, and he blames the civil service. on the civil service, can he >> sometimes one has to repeat a thing. if there is quiet, we will continue. if people try to shout other people down against the principles of british democracy, they will be stopped in their tracks. it is very simple and i would have thought pretty clear. >> can he assure the house that at no time did the vendor cabinet secretary or any senior civil servant raise any issue

. out hiring andy coulson >> on the issue of vetting, he was absolutely clear that the is then about vetting responsibility of someone who has served labour government with impeccable service as well as coalition governments led by conservative prime ministers. moment --ender original ministering to do is go over the old questions that were nnswered by the leverso inquiry. he didn't like the answer because he wanted to prove some cooked up conspiracy between the conservatives at news international. he cannot manage to do it, because the inquiry can't find it. he asked a minute ago what is weak. ,'ll tell you what is weak attacking murdock and then standing up with a copy of the sun newspaper and needing to

apologize a few hours later. >> mr. speaker, the prime minister said in his previous he was not asked that question in the leverson inquiry. i would like an answer about whether sir gus o'donnell or senior civil servants raised concerns with him or his office n. the truthoulso about this is that the charge of the prime minister is not one of -- of ignorance, but of willful negligence. he didn't stand up for thousands of victims of phone hacking. the prime minister will always be remembered as the first

occupant of his office who brought a criminal into the heart of downing street. >> he brought up the issue of the warning from the guardian. i totally disproved him using the evidence. he brought up the idea of direct vetting, i totally disproved him by using the evidence. they cannot bear the fact that an eight-month inquiry that he hoped was going to pin the blame on me found that i had behaved correctly throughout. that is the case. all of these issues were -- all these issues were examined by the levers and inquiry. if he wants to debate the calls we make and the leadership we give, i am happy to anytime. is leadership that has got this economy moving. it is leadership that has got our deficit down. it is leadership that is putting britain back to work. it is the total absence of leadership from the labour party that says they have nothing to say about britain's economic future.

>> thank you very much, mr. speaker. months of vehement anti-iranian rhetoric from the and now sudden change of heart, does the prime minister believed that the enemy is mynemies friend trumps all else? >> i think we should judge every regime and organization on this commitment to human rights, the rule of law, and welding a pluralistic society. we should engage with the iranians as i said with a very clear i am a very hard heart. we shouldn't forget what

happened to our embassy. we shouldn't forget the things they are responsible for around the world, but we should start to build a dialogue with him in the way that the foreign secretary set out. on friday, my honorable and myself jumped from a plane 13,000 feet over the yorkshire countryside. .ortunately, we had a parachute and training from the tiger army parachute display team. as we approach armed forces day, will the prime minister pay andute to our armed forces those charities and the generosity of the british people who do so much to support those who give such commitments to queen and country? and really reinforce the fact that this parliament will never ever underestimate the contribution of the armed forces of this country?

>> i absolutely support what my honorable friend has said. i commend him for jumping out of an airplane with a parachute. that only should we commend our armed forces, but it is right and we enter the government -- this covenant into the law of our land. we remember those who have served and those who have fallen. it is anforces day, opportunity to celebrate all those who have served and to thank them and their families, to celebrate the values they live by and all that they bring to our country. >> does the prime minister realize he has made history by employing a crook at number 10? >> i have given a good answer to this. i regret the decision to employ but what i, will say is that no one made any complaints about the conduct of while he was at

number 10. that does stand in contrast to ,he conduct of mr. mcbride alastair campbell and others. dossiers, very bad news and smearing members of parliament. harvey -- sir nick harvey. >> no sign at present a resolution. back before easter, the ministers got the government -- the union was ready to put to its members. will the prime minister look back at that proposal even now and consider whether it might still have some useful part to play in bringing an end to this dispute? >> i'm very happy to look at what my right honorable friend suggests. i know the minister in the local department has been working

extremely hard on this issue. it is important that we listen to what the firefighters say. at the same time, recognize that the tensions they have access to would actually require the building of one half-million pound pot. >> does the prime minister accept that his death at 60 proves that jay conlin lost more prison terrible years in and the anguish of his father's torment due to the injustice from lawyers of the state? particular issues that mattered to jerry in recent years. properthe need for quality mental health services for those who suffered miscarriages of justice. secondly, notwithstanding the egregious 75 year seal that has

been put on the -- papers, he was granted access. his dying wish that it would be honored. will the prime minister and sure that the dying wish of an innocent man is on her? >> am grateful to the honorable gentleman for raising this. it is hard to think what 15 years in prison when you're innocent of a crime that you're been convicted for will do to somebody. i think is absolutely right that the previous prime minister somely asd as full su he did. >> mr. speaker, unemployment is down by one third. last week, this conservative led the rushtonpproved

lakes development. and a fantastic facility. could the prime minister explain how we have that success? could be down to his long-term economic plan? >> i'm grateful for the details of what is happening in northamptonshire. what it proves is that we do have an entrepreneurial economy, particularly in northamptonshire . we do need key developments to go ahead to help unlock the jobs, the growth and the investment that we need for our country. >> the prime minister said yesterday that he was just coulson a second chance. that means that the prime minister knew that there was a from offense, and he knew the very beginning that he was taking a criminal into downing street. sack him.fused to then yesterday and again today

he was busy praising him. tot message does that send the victims echo isn't the truth of the matter that the prime minister's only story -- is only sorry because he got caught? >> i'm afraid that on this issue the honorable gentleman has got it wrong time and time again. about giving someone a second chance is that because the individual in question had resigned as the editor of the news of the world because what -- because of what had happened. let me refer him to what he said in this house of commons. he said there is no doubt that there is a deal secured. best between the conservative party and news international. doubtless found to be complete and utter rubbish. have we ever heard one word of attraction from the honorable gentleman? as ever, not a word. -- one word of detraction from

the honorable gentleman? as ever, not a word. with thein tune concerned of the public across europe unlike some of our continental partners. >> it is important on this issue to stand up and speak for what you believe in. i believe that the european commission president should be chosen by the elected heads of government and heads of state on the european council. that is the right approach and it is wrong to sign up for this power grab by the parties of europe and the european parliament. i also think is important that the people involved understand that we need reform in europe. it is matter how hard i have to push this case, i will take it all the way to the end. speaker, they've been to tea at and dancing

with the business secretary. business cannot get superfast broadband. what is the prime minister going to do? amount of put a huge money into expanding superfast broadband. we are now doing better than other european countries in terms of the rollout of our network and the speeds that are available. my right honorable friend the culture secretary is working hard to deal with those areas of the country that don't yet have it. i will make sure that he puts it firmly on his list. ministerhe prime 2007,ted andy coulson in -- i've never seen a paper that links him to any illegal activity of any kind. that i serve concluded that we have seen no lson knewthat andy cou that phone hacking was taking place.

should explain why they pass information on to the place of the select committee. toy try to rewrite history assist their position. i think my honorable friend ! t it better than i did >> mr. speaker, i am sure the prime minister and the whole house will join with me in welcoming a very successful visit by her majesty the queen and the duke of edinburgh from northern ireland this week. will the prime minister also join with me in condemning the foolish approach to welfare reform which is not protecting the vulnerable in northern

ireland, but is costing the northern ireland executive 5 million pounds per month in fines? >> i agree with the honorable gentleman on both counts. as ever, the queen's visit has been a huge success and has highlighted the economic renaissance that is taking place with over 800 foreign investors, northern ireland is now one of the top u.k. destinations for investment. jealous of the queen meeting with the cast of the game of thrones. right about welfare reform. the point of welfare reform is to help people get back to work rather than just that budgets. we need to explain to all the parties in northern ireland that we should be engaging in welfare reform to help people get back to work. on the side of the house we

have a long-term economic plan, with education funding at its heart. the funding that all schools in north wonderland -- northumberland will receive. as a prime minister agree that we should continue the program so that as the plan takes effect we get fairer funding for all the schools in this country? education and better schools and skills are absolutely at the heart of our long-term economic plan. he should note that we're spending 18 billion pounds onto buildings in this parliament, which is more than labor spent in their first two terms combined, but specifically on the issue of a fair national funding formula, we have made some progress by allocating 350 million pounds to the least fairly funded local authorities, and that will make a real difference in the coming year. pts union in

protesting the closing -- the closure of offices in dundee and protecting the terms and conditions. their main concern was that they felt there was a government plan for privatization of hm rc. could the prime minister assure those members that there are no such plans under his watch? rc is plan we have for hm to make it more efficient and more effective at collecting taxes from people who should be paying them. that is the plan. on sunday, 17-year-old james good ship drowned in lake but wayne in my constituency. as this week is drowning prevention week, what can the prime minister due to raise awareness of the dangers of open

water and improved safety during such a warm summer as we are having at the moment? >> my heart goes out to the family that he mentions. he is absolutely right to raise his issue. for anyone to lose a son in such a tragic way as this is absolutely heartbreaking. we do need to spread better information about the dangers of swimming in open water. we need to do more to teach swimming in school him teach lifesaving skills, and the heroism bill that we are bringing forward will help people who want to do good and rescue people will also help as well. >> hundreds of young british man and some women are now fighting insyria and now with isis iraq. some of them will come back to england trained and ready to attack. our budget has been cut by 17 million pounds.

will the prime minister undertake an urgent review to make sure that we have the plans and the resources to protect our young people from the extremists? >> i have great respect for the right honorable lady on this issue. she is always spoken clearly about the need to confront not just violent extremism, but all forms of extremism. what we have done is to make sure that that prevent program is properly focused and works in a way where you're targeting those at most risk of being radicalized. we need to make sure we shift resources in our intelligence security and policing services to target those who are potentially returning from syria or iraq to their properly. width and covered. we have a large number of arrests, with confiscated passports, we have taken all the actions necessary to keep our country safe. a wonderful children's hospice in my constituency is currently carrying out research into the impact of short breaks

on family relationships. will the prime minister give higher priority to the funding of short breaks as an investor safe measure? anyone bringing up a severely disabled child knows that when you find one of these hospices, and i will never forget finding helen house in oxford, which was the first children's hospice anywhere in the country it is a complete lifesaver for families and carries out really at work. that is why we have committed over 800 million to authorities to invest in short breaks for children. i am sure this research will help inform our work in the future. >> i wonder if the prime minister is aware of the best-selling of warranties by scottish power? one of the uk's largest utility companies has allegedly tried to avert paying the money back to

people who are some of the poorest in our country. i hope you can get to the truth of the matter. >> i commend the honorable gentleman for raising this issue. it took us over a decade ago and it was looked at the time by the then department of trade and industry. in light of the concerns that exist for members of the country about the outcome of the liquidation, i would encourage the honorable gentleman to give the business department all the new information that has come to light and i will fix a meeting for him with the business secretary and members of the old arden group so we can get to the bottom of this issue. >> he recorded on this a brutal assault on her by her caregivers. unbelievably to me, the cps has refused to prosecute her because they say does in the public interest. as a society, should we be

totally intolerant of all attacks on vulnerable people with dementia are? ? >> on the general point of is it right that we are intolerant of breaches of care against elderly people, particularly those with dementia who are reliant on others, yes, we should be intolerant of that. our strategy is all about not just increasing the research into tackling dementia, but making sure our caregivers and hospitals and communities become more dementia friendly. speaker, [indiscernible] a number of senior civil attention to the inquiry. the whole process of the theyment of andy coulson,

vetting of him, the warnings that were given, each and every single one were dealt with by the investigation that the right honorable gentleman supported from the position of leader of the opposition. he cannot bear the fact that independent inquiry came to that conclusion. use the first leader of the opposition not able to ask for an independent judicial inquiry because he is already had one. -- he has already had one. we have got the 2015 world cup rugby to look forward to. my right honorable friend knows -- would he agree with me that this is a great opportunity to use the chancellor's new brownfield fund, plus perhaps some other funds to make sure that the regeneration of our small cities is ready for the world cup 2015?

>> my honorable friend is right that after the disappointment of the foot wall and also the disappointment of that stunning test match where we lost on the second to last ball, i think it is time to look to rugby to provide us with something to lift our spirits. caroline lucas. myin my constituency, tenants are often ripped off, forced to move within months notice, and the average rent is 1200 pounds a month. will the prime minister back my call for a living rent commission to bring rents back into line with the cost of living? more houses a more competitive rents. see more we want to competitive rents, but when i look at the policies of her party, looks like you never built any houses anywhere for anyone, and as a result rents will go up.

>> you been watching prime minister's questions from the british house of commons. question time airs live on c-span to every wednesday at 7:00 a.m. eastern and again on sunday night at 9:00 p.m. eastern and pacific on c-span. watch any time at c-span.org, where you can find video of past prime minister's questions and other british public affairs programs. >> next, outgoing israeli president shimon peres is aborted the congressional gold medal. at 11:00 p.m., q&a with daniel -- danieluthor of schulman. , author of a book on the koch brothers. in the room at congressional hearings, white

house events, briefings and conferences, and offering complete gavel-to-gavel coverage of the u.s. house, all as a public service of private industry. we are c-span, created by the cable tv industry 35 years ago and brought to you as a public service by your local cable or satellite provider. watch us in hd, like us on facebook and follow us on twitter. >> on thursday, outgoing israeli president shimon peres was awarded the congressional gold medal in a ceremony in the u.s. capitol. it is the highest civilian honor bestowed by the u.s. congress. after the presentation, the israeli president spoke about the friendship between his nation and the u.s.. also speaking at the ceremony were vice president biden and congressional leaders, including house speaker john boehner, outgoing majority leader eric cantor and senate majority leader harry reid. shimon perez leaves office on july 27. he will be succeeded by ruben rivlin.

this is an hour and 20 minutes. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the speaker of the united states house of representatives, the honorable john boehner. >> mr. vice president, members of congress, ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, ladies and gentlemen, welcome

this morning and welcome to united states capital. since the days of the american revolution, every congress has had one humbling privilege, that of awarding a gold medal for extraordinary contributions. the highest honor weekend to stoke. the first recipient in 1776 was george washington, the father of our country. we willnder his gaze, present the gold medal to another founding father, the ninth president of the state of israel, shimon peres. mr. president, welcome. [applause] like general washington, shimon peres has spent his life serving his country. even before their was a country to serve. he is the great prototype of the israeli statesman.

we only need to glance at the titles he is held to understand this. it record 48 years in the legislature, a minister in 12 cabinets, a two-time prime minister, and author of at least .1 books, a nobel laureate these designations are only symbols of his service. they do not compare to the place president perez holds in the hearts of freedom loving people all over the world. this is what this medal of honor means above all else. we have a great program in store . mr. president, i know that for your nine get birthday you had barbra streisand serenade you and you had tony blair toast you. i hope you don't mind, but in the interest of time we are asking the vice president today to do both. [laughter]

this is a special moment for all of us. is the first time we are presenting a gold medal to an israeli head of state. mr. president, because of your generation, i have faith it will not be the last. this medal says to our young , never geteuros cynical, never given to expediency, and know that america will always stand with israel, and with all men and women of peace. thank you all for being here this morning. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the presentation of the colors by the united states armed forces colorguard. the singing of the united states and israeli national anthems and retiring of the colors.

>> present arms.

[chorus singing] ♪

[cfhorus singing united states national anthem] o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming. , thehe rockets red glare bombs bursting in air, gave

proof through the night that our flag was still there ♪ ♪ o say does that star-spangled banner yet wave ♪ free andhe land of the the home of the brave. ♪

>> ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing as the chaplain of the united states house of representatives, the reverend patrick conroy, gives his invocation. >> let us pray. abraham, we give you thanks for the gift of life and for the many blessings that light brings. today, we gather in this hallowed temple to recognize a government dedicated to the enjoyment of life and its blessings for its citizens. to honor shimon peres, the ninth

president of israel. we are honored by his presence and his long life of service to his own nation, and as a friend and ally two hours. honored 20 years ago as a nobel laureate, shimon peres has been a man of these in a region known .or its lack thereof mader own time now, perennial enemies are just made perennial enemies around the world be inspired by his recent abbas and pope francis, praying for peace in our world. lord, grant that his efforts might issue into a future proclaimed the profits isaiah, , when the time of

judgment comes, may all our swords be beaten into plowshares , our spears into pruning hooks, may know nation continue to lift up sword against another, and may we no longer learn more. war. bless our world with peace, , and god bless united states of america, amen. >> please be seated. ladies, united states representative from the fourth to stricter massachusetts, the ii. rable joseph kennedy i >> good morning, everyone. mr. vice president, members of

the congressional leadership, it is an honor for me to join you this morning on stage. thank you all for the work that you did to make this moment and this old metal possible. i would also like to thank the congressional gold medal committee, congressman trent franks, senator ayotte, senator bennett, for their partnership in shepherding the bipartisan legislation behind this award through the house and the senate. honor,her guest of at 91 yearses. young, you famously said that you aren't ready yet to consider your legacy, but the future is much more interesting than your past. due respect, mr. president, i think it would be hard to find a person in this room that does not see the future of israel through the lens of your legacy. last year, i had the honor of meeting president perez on a trip to israel with some of my colleagues.

it was an incredible visit from jerusalem to ramallah, tel aviv to masada. of all the memorable moments, there is one that shines through. at a dinner in tel aviv, i met a young israeli woman who founded an organization that was bringing aid to parts of syria that other international assistance had been unable to reach. she had help from community in particular for years without disclosing much of who she was or where she came from. one day, she finally let the syrian commander no as she was an israeli. he was stunned. right then and there he refused her help, calling her a sworn enemy despite the lives she had selfless the

assistance she gave his people. luckily, she was not one to be easily deterred. she took it to the community for a vote. if they said go, she would pack up. if they sit stay, she would continue to serve. they begged her to stay. so she did. mr. president, this is your legacy. every bit as integral to israel's future as her past. men and womens of who continue to put themselves on the front line of peace no matter the risks or the roadblocks, who refused to let labels like enemy or adversary influence the direction of their moral compass, who believe that , and in nossible small part because every reader by their side for over 70 years

ce, optimismatien and faith. mr. president, with a debt of gratitude not only for the history that you carved, but for the future that you will undoubtedly shape, it is our honor to come together today to recognize you with the congressional gold medal. aching forstill peace, as you say, for compassion in the face of great conflict and humanity in the face of great suffering, may your legacy light our way, thank you. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the united states senator from new hampshire, the honorable kelly i ayotte.

morning. i am so so -- so humbled to be you're in the presence of residents shimon peres, vice president biden, speaker boehner, majority leader reid, our congressional leaders, so many distinguished leaders and citizens in this room. to congressman kennedy, congressman frank, thank you so much for your leadership in the house of representatives to ensure that we will award president shimon peres the congressional gold medal. your efforts helped make today's ceremony possible. to senator bennett, i want to express my gratitude to you for working alongside with me in the united states senate to introduce the bill to award president perez the congressional gold medal.

i know today's ceremony is particularly moving for you and your family. we are so honored to have your mother here with us today. suzanne bennett is with us here today. she was born in poland in 1938 as not see forces gathered at the border. she and her parents endured the nazi occupation in warsaw. they were theaunt only members of the family to survive. unfortunately, everyone else perished at the hands of the nazis thomas o i know how much this means to you, senator bennett. thank you. i cannot think of a more deserving individual to receive the congressional gold medal then president shimon peres. i want to thank the people who came to me and senator bennett , and all who have

worked on this, because this is been one of the highlights of the work that i have been able to do in the senate. by the way, if everything were , toasy to do in the senate get cosponsors for as this, can you imagine what we could get done for the country? [applause] as one of the founding fathers of israel, for 67 years president shimon peres has been a selfless servant of his beloved country during times of , providing a steady hand, he has been a constant and passionate words for peace. most of all, not only is he a great statesman and leader, he .s a man who has a pure heart

the depth of his love for all of humanity has made him a drum major for justice, not just in israel, but throughout the world . as for america, we have never had a better friend who understands who we are and what se stand for as president pere said last night as he -- at the israeli embassy, we are an exceptional nation whose people give rather than take. is our waypresident, of saying to you thank you, and to recognize that you truly are an exceptional man who has made israel and the world a better place. thank you, mr. president. [applause]

>> ladies, the united states army chorus. -- ladies and gentlemen, the united states army chorus. [chorus sings] ♪