former mayor at an event talking about his book. he discusses his up ringing in a mississippi and his early political activism and his experience as mayor. and has returned to washington after his release. from the national press club, this is an hour. >> good evening, everybody. welcome to the national press club for this very special event. i am eleanor herman. we are very glad you've come to this event and we hope you enjoy it.

about 15 or 20 book raps pper year. if you're not already on the email list, and you'd like to know about future events,, please see me and i will put you on the list. speaking of future events, we could try guest, i want to tell you about some coming up in july. all of which begin at 6 pm. on tuesday, july 8, tom purdom will discuss his book, an idea -- "an idea whose time has come: two presidents, two parties, and the battle for the civil rights act of 1964". brad thor will discuss his book "act of war". on tuesday, july 15th, tom young will discuss his book,,

"sand and fire". on tuesday, july 22, aneesh chopra will discuss his book, "innovative state: how new technologies can transform government". events for this rap is as follows: i will introduce our guest, then i will have a conversation with him. after that, you can ask them questions. when we have run out of time for questions -- i imagine quite a few -- he will be signing yearbooks. also been told that we will have jazz night upstairs with a live band -- you might want to check that out. marion shepilov barry was born in 1936.

was eight, his mother left his father whom he never saw ever again, and moved to memphis. he was inducted into the national honor society in high school. he received a degree in chemistry from lemoyne college, and a masters university in 1960. he required all courses a doctoral degree from university of kansas where he'd studied quantitative and qualitative organic chemistry. he was cofounder for the civil student roup the nonviolent coordinating committee. in 1964, the organization sent him to dc where he won a seat school board in 1971.

he served as a second elected mayor of the district of columbia from 1979 to 1991, and is the fourth man from 1995 to 1999. he has been a member of the dc ward 8 , representing since 2005. of many a life accomplishments -- and we have just heard a few of them -- mr. is most well-known for a few minute videotape. i like to usethe time this aspects explore other of your life that he did not know about until i read your book. for instance, one thing that really surprised me was you were one of the first black eagle scout in memphis. as a mother to eagle scout, i would like to ask you -- i bet gotten this question -- what was your favorite merit badge and what

did you learn from scouting? >> good evening. let me get that out of the way. i think it was life-saving and swimming. and camping, and birdwatching. was a girl watching or birdwatching? >> birdwatching. they did have a merit badge in girl watching. >> i think they do now, and my son got it. did you feel you learn something from the boy scouts that helped propel you through university and into your life? >> i learned quite a bit. i learned leadership skills. i went to nasty and resilience. and all those e, things.

as long as, getting along with people. i went to the jamboree in new mexico, and all those kinds of things. shape my life. but, the person most important life, is my mother. my mother finished third or fourth grade. -- and my parents were sharecroppers. all said and done, $3000-$4000 in cash -- for all that work, for the whole year. the man at the store, he sold the seeds to my family at a price higher than he paid them for. back he bought the cotton

aat a price lower. in hink it is important america, you found very few opportunities at that time for boy born in mississippi, in a house without electricity, and without other that we now have. my mother was a domestic. that means cleaning up some white woman's families' bathroom, kitchen. she told me, when she went to job, she would tell the white woman -- uusually the one hiring -- i'm through the go back door.

if i'm good enough to take care of your son, your kids, and cook your food, i'm going to go through the front door. she lost a lot of jobs that way. she also said -- ddomestics used to be called by the first they did not have last name -- she said, my name is not maddie, it is mrs. cummings. that kind of tenacity and courage rubbed off on me. as i'm mber as clearly sitting here when she would me that story -- i do understand then, i was probably to understand than -- but that was a defining moment in my life. she lived to be 92 years of age. she passed six or seven years ago. [applause]

92, that's a long time. >> when you were a young man, and you are very busy. in addition to school, and honor society, you had a lot of odd jobs. but even then, if you were a bit of a rabble-rouser. you write, do you like to drink white water from a white water fountain. what did your mother say about that? hell out of ed the me. that was the custom in the south. she had beencondition to be like that. >> i thought that was an interesting point in your book. back then,people in to live ion were used young hat -- it was the ones, who said,, you are crazy why are you living like this. >> that's true. me do this -- backup,, and put the book in context.

a lot has been written about marion barry. a lot of photographs have been taken. but those interviews, and those why of , were about the my life. that's what my life. it's about me being a fourth term man. which is a what. i decide to tell a story, the marion barry ho really is. book is brutally frank. tell it all -- the good, the bad, and ugly. life is not a rule is that where everything goes perfectly, with no imperfections. i put that in the book. you for going

read a book -- those of you who are debug the book, thank you, buy some or. this book to me almost a year to do. omar tyree is a spectacular writer. books of his 20 own, fiction books. am in the 1 am to 2 saturday, orking sunday, leaving tonight,, working holidays, to make sure that i was accurate in what i was trying to put together. i talked to a number of state and put this try together. it was a labor of love. labor of love. did not start -- it was

just a sliver in my life. i'm going to get that out of the way right now. what i said this, and that, had been 24 years ago. 24 years ago. ask forgiveness from rasheeda, and her mother. she was a victim as i was. apologize to this community. and to gized to my wife, my son. this country is a country of second, third, fourth, and fifth chances. i hope what this book will do is inspire somebody else was struggling to stand up and get

rid of that struggle. this book will educate people. i put in that context. other context that i will go back to is washington, d.c.. washington, d.c. is our nation's capital. all the foreign embassies are here. the national government, all the cabinets are here. of representatives is here. the international press is here. the national press is here. more eyes , they are on me than on any other person in america. i survived that. i've overcome that.

i will not let that get me down. i want to thank the people of washington, d.c. who were bright and beautiful. also, with this major press here, we have a few barry haters. about half a dozen. what the barry haters do, they cannot find anything good. there's one columnist last night and read the book -- not and wrote on -- the book. that is not right. are vback to you ms. herman.

>> i was really fascinated by your education in the field of science. in your book, you say you move from science to create activism because when teaching students, ones did not want about teacher to teach them, ones were not prepared. it starts upset you, that the black kids were not prepared. >> that's true. i had four sisters. three of them have passed. i've one living sister in memphis, tennessee. years younger than me. her this morning -- gloria. when i was a high school, i sports oriented high school. was the . washington

champion statewide in black schools in everything -- football, track, everything. too small to play football. i went to the band. after about two weeks, the bandmaster said, you have to go buy a trumpet. we cannot let you keep taking the strumpet home. to buy ot have the money a trumpet. my mother didn't have the money. no way have the money. so, i dropped out and. i decided to go to boxing. the last two fights i had, the guy hit me so hard, i saw stars. -- didn't knocked

get knocked out, i saw stars. the weeks later, i told coach, i'm gone. i probably wouldn't be here, hit up on the head so many times. i loved science. i decided major in chemistry, a minor in math. came to an era when people use the first letter of -- their name, and

their middle name. i didn't have a middle name. the russian f after scientists shepilov because he good things e very and science. one of the final point on my education. i went to kansas for year. lifestyle stand that -- drinking beer, going to kansas city for entertainment. lawrence was in segregated, but they wouldn't serve you. so i went to the university of tennessee. i was only like student amongst 3000 natural scientist. the only black student. i would do my dissertation, but i got tired of it.

civil rights movement because i could help more people that way. overcoming, struggle, tenacity, courage, big vision -- all see-through the the book -- god gave them to me. i decide to give them back to the community. no one present us with your or has not been affected directly or indirectly by the leadership of marion barry. [applause] >> so, let's skip over several fascinating things and go to

when you won your first election for mayor. there was so much that you did that i was not aware of. when you first took office, you done on city finances. you found the city was $387 deep in the hole. during this three consecutive years in office, you balance the budget. that is something we should to do these days. -- reduce the uch deficit by 200 million. programs to e provide fair and affordable housing. maternal do with the mortality rate to one of the lowest in the country. and, you are able to build 70

buildings downtown, creating revenue and jobs. i get the sense from your book that your favorite out of your many a conscience as mayor is minority hiring for dc contracts. >> when i took office and 79, i in by thurgood marshall. me at one point were to get out of jail because he was the -- hhe was on the defense fund. a back in those days was sleepy, southern town. this building is not here. this context was not here. building, the fbi

f st. and g st. -- they did not have any major highways building. look at washington now. look at it now. did not happen overnight. it took a lot of work and a lot of vision. i appointed , herman miller, a white developer. with some very great reputations. i also reorganized the permit department. i think that is important, that see the big picture -- i painted a large picture, a large photograph of our city. all this is replete with courage and tenacity, and

and understanding this community, loving the community, and they left me back. that is very important. my most favorite program is my summer job program. [applause] had to sell up, i carry the les, morning paper, the evening paper, i had a scuffle during the year. anything that saved me, a friend of mine dumb street, he grew much faster than me. 10th and 11th grade, i grew about two and to 3 inches -- i have nothing to wear.

my mother couldn't afford. my friend on the street gave me all his clothes -- khaki pants, suits, shirts, etc.. him, i'm eternally grateful. another example -- to the city government, my first most eally my important program, is, hispanics, blacks, and women. they grew 3% when i came in. when i left, it was 47%. millions of dollars transferred to handle people.

that is bob of johnson of bet. he did not have an operator. hook nt to tci and got the up with them, but then he had a to locate the headquarters of bt. we had some land on washington avenue. i let bob johnson at least all that land for one dollar a year. one dollar a year. he's a multimillionaire, at bet aire, and look now.

another example is someone who to the tax nted commission, he was 23 years old. people say, why doing that, he is too young. the most one of prosperous developers in the country -- white or black. again, it started right here, because of my vision. but, the important part of this equation, it's the black middle class. there many people who've not been given the opportunity to work. they had degrees, but the ng necessary, dc government, we had to open it up. those black families move from here to here. i'm very proud of the fact that we built a strong black middle

class. also, in the process, many people the black middle class went to prince george's county. curry, in his second inauguration asked me to and he thanked me. i'm proud of that too. you're not going to let these imaginary boundaries stop us. if there's something over here, there is suffering over here. if the success over here, 's success over here.

>> you write in the book that pleased with was you shifting white communities to black communities. you feel this played a role in what happened. by the late 1980s, the fbi look through your bank account, your bills,etc. you even say, there was a hertz rental truck following you around day and night. why do think they did this? >> economics. problem with the fbi, bbut when i came to washington, i do not have a problem with fbi. started the minority

program, of shifting millions to the minority community, 3% to 47%. it seems strange, the fbi, should have welcomed me building a black middle class. i got 47% of votes from white people in 78. i got into office, i knew it, but had not understood it, in the black ems community. in the white community, they do not need job training. they do not need job placement, they've got jobs. they do not need excellent education system, because they kids to elect someone and pay for it.

of my barry haters, i'm to do a favor ou -- no, i'm going to tell you, i'm not offering. >> you do a minute, the were clean in the 80's -- alcohol, drug use, and a couple of affairs. you do admit that. not hard to admit. it is the truth. what happened to me,that one night, i should not have gone up there. i should not have gone to a hotel. gone up d not have those stairs. they found its way which was safer than other kinds of ways. i sincerely apologize for that.

i apologize to this community. in fact, if you talk about a strong ity -- i'm christian -- if disciples asked jesus, how may can you forgive somebody? he says 70 times 70. i admit my mistakes. our s you do that, your car on the streets. anyone who has not made a mistake, has not done a damn thing. i'm not trying to justify. i'm explaining it, so people can see it in the context. i'm 78 years old.

i think that for that. the majority people who high ated with me in my school class -- we like a white who's no r everyone longer there -- it got so bad that the white candles outnumbered those of us who were there. was too painful for us so stopped having the reunions. those lse wanted to, mistakes, those misjudgments, i lesson to to be a other people who suffered. particularly, the drug situations. and millions of suffering who are

from that disease, ddrug addiction. there's thousands of dc residents who are suffering. if you talk to job development you, one of tell biggest obstruction to employment is drug addiction. you can do it, if marion barry can do it, you can do it. that's why did the book, to educate and inspire. of white people too, have suffered a lot. maybe not drugs or alcohol, but something else like that. i want people to know that you can tackle that problem. pastor used to preach about

a storm. we are all in a storm, on her way to a storm, or getting out of a storm. out of the storm? go above the to storm. when you go through the storm, rubs off on you. people ignore the storm. helping k is about other people too. it's about giving examples of how one man can overcome so many things. i'm just an ordinary person who has an extraordinary things. the reason i'm taking the time about this in detail is

that the barry haters don't to tell you the truth. you understand that. thank you so much for understanding. god, i sit ce of here. i just got over major illness, a blood infection. it takes you out. me to come back. i give all the glory to god. all this god stuff? i've seen him.

only when gave to god, i came back. the naysayers to the size me, i don't mind you criticizing me about god bbecause god is here. >> one thing that really shocked the world was when you ran again for mayor in 1994. may slogan was great, you you are erfect, but perfect for dc. nerve to ou have the run again? >> several things. one, the previous mayor had not been a good mayor.

it is incredible when an incompetent man who has not had scandals came back 13%. that we had john ray, who the council and 78 running. were not e things that being done. the minority program wwas going downhill. 30%, maybe if han that much. our school system was a wreck. i couldn't get out of there in less than two hours with people talking to me about what about that. i knew i couldn't do it from decided use so i

by tenacity, courage, vision to run for mayor. those who were here, who are watching, saw all the good work. you'd judge a person not by the is er of the book, but what in the book, and what chapters are there. i knew god had given me these visions, and i had to get back. washington is better off because they ran and 94. i want against all odds. i've had 13 races, i only lost one. i'm no now around the country most skillful political people in the country. that's that.

a minute, ken cummings is original from loose lips. -- he s very creative called me mac beth, i think. he called my wife lady macbeth, something like that. macberry, that was it. he also started "mayor for did not like it. the more people talk to me and said, you're the "mayor for life". best mayor we have ever had.

muriel bowser, who i'm supporting for mayor, and i talked to this morning. she said, you're the "mayor for life". thank you, ken. thank you. [applause] okay, i'm sorry. >> you are serving in ward 8, a poor section of the city. you said in the book that you been stopped by police friend for a umber of occasions dwb. what does that stand for? driving while black. >> it's a true story. getting ready to go to the southeast, and a police three across the street is getting out. was driving probably 25 mph

to 30 mph. he gave me a ticket for driving too slow. as it turns out, dc does not have a law for driving too slow. i've had more trouble with them anybody in this town. leave me alone now. do you feel that racism is still alive and well in america, despite the fact that we have a black man in the white house? ever get past -- live in a post-racial society? i hate this post-racial. chapter of my book talks about where we're going from here. do not say racism, but race

that factor in everything happens in america. it is a factor. it is not the factor, but it is a factor. we have a divide. at the income gap, 8 and ward 3. over there, and

$26,000 over here. called grand eo theft auto. had people shooting copps. that is awful. people are making money off that. i went along ways to talk about but that bothers me. in lower income communities, a black boy who ever in his life seen a black man get up to go to work. families in ward 8 only have one head of household. admire those black women.

i have one son, who just turned 34. connections to get him to an out of county school. connections to get him wilson high school. what about those parents who do not have those resources? hopefully this book and point out a bunch of things so people can begin to take hold. the base of all this is poverty. think about it. nonetheless decide where we when we were born, the conditions under which we were born, what color we were born.

the people in poverty in america were born into poverty. there are very few people who got into poverty. they might have lost their jobs. in terms of poverty, it is massive in america. do all we can to get people to become self-sufficient. it's a bit long time and to that, by what you to understand what i'm saying. >> i have one quick question before we moved to audience questions. had some now, and you issues in recent years, moving ahead, what you want your legacy to be? ago, you do long

not tell about your punches. for two more uncil years. intro to my legacy, there's so many things. i had to summarize, it would person who cared deeply to low income black people, those hispanics, and those women who face discrimination. to try er thing i wanted get in my legacy, is be instructive to people, that they too can succeed. they too can overcome if they believe in themselves, and believe in god. you have the tenacity,

developed the courage and strong feeling about yourself. is janel in here? come here. -- wwant to use this as an example. i met janel at my victory party in ward 8. found out that janel did not have a high school diploma or ged. she had four boys and was raising them by herself. she refused to go on welfare. she worked two and three jobs. get into her

public housing. she went to school. high school diploma. as a nurse's cate aid. she passed. [applause] she's going to enter the dc school of nursing in august to get her rn. that's what i want to leave people with. thank you, janel. >> thank you so much. -- gentlemen up here has a question. other for known each several years.

just thank the people. thank you. of the he president association, ness i look back on what certain people have done for me, all because of marion barry. i commend you for the work that you have done. you are the only man of all the mess that we've had, that ever made a dime from. berrien, marion, thank you so much. >> mayor, if you were the states of the united

with a limitless power, what would you do about poverty in the united states? not answer if questions. no offense. that is just my style. i would rather asked my opinion of something about the future. on the poverty question, poverty is so pervasive. poverty is so massive in this country. have 42 million people on both black and white. you have poor white people. will not be eradicated

or reduced until everybody in country -- every legislature, every government, every mayor gets involved. we will make a dent here will be working hard to get people on temporary assistance. just a little dent. i appreciate the question. poverty is so massive. somebody quoted somebody the other day. they said, helen keller said that people well-off have a hard time understanding people who are not well-off. this is a society problem.

>> another question over there. you look at economics, during the civil rights movement, it did not seem that was a major focus. i think there are less black than in the ow 1880s. is different, we have the new silicon valley. well jobs, new jobs, really good jobs are still being denied to those who serve the country and are educated. is really the untold story in washington, d.c.. when you are ely, oppressed, take a number of

were oppressed, your priority is to live and survive. growing up in a segregated society, your dignity is at stake. the march on washingtonwas about voting rights. the basic point in this country, the right to vote. on number of us working economic development situations caught on. the last chapter of my book talks about civil rights. a t me apologize for going bit late here. my biological clock does not work right.

i really apologize to you. i just got back from new york, i had a great time in new york. they take to show there and it will show later. i apologize deeply. we have a question over there. >> how are you doing? >> i'm doing well. i want to congratulate you on your book. know that ryone to you pioneered a movement.

what is your opinion about the free dc movement? in 1966, 67, ned 68. i think our struggle must continue. we need statehood. we need statehood now. can you imagine, this budget is $11 billion. that comes from the local other part comes from the federal government. but yeah, we have to go to congress to get permission to spend her own money. country, und the

trying to world, bring democracy to iraq -- you what happened there -- to afghanistan, pakistan. terrorist being rooted out. but, to talk about democracy around the world, and come right back here to our home in the white house, in congress, we do not have state could hear. what is wrong with that situation? >> you, and then you. >> hey, margie. > i wanted to say my name is mary clements. i want to thank you so kindly. want to ask you, during the time we've ever

injured? were you ever hurt? >> god bless me. i was spat upon. in as pushed off the stool the lunch counter, but was left -- i was blessed to not be shot. in fact, we celebrate a big anniversary mississippi this weekend. i can't go, because after work on this book. in the march 1977. over a a ms took

building. got off an elevator, getting hit in the got chest. god was there, and i survived. >> the lady back here. >> hi, marion. i went to answer his legacy question for him. universities in dc should share a seat for marion barry. you're the greatest campaigner, i do not think anyone in this room would deny. i cannot imagine that one of would not do it. i think this is what should happen.

>> thank you, margie. are talking about that. hi, "mayor for life". i'm a second-generation washingtonian. you had a great impact on my life. mainly something that i heard the career advancement project. i was a recipient from that. i got paid for tuition. graduated from howard university. i got back and worked with the dc department of recreation.

you had another program that you put into low income areas for cultural activities. to stand up y want and let you know that you are a great person. a lot of those programs i put into place have eroded. they are hardly anything now. mayor, i used to give $2000 to every valedictorian and $1000 to every salutatorian. all of that is gone. $1000 to every student that was in the top 10% of his or her class. we are going to bring some of that back. >> you started tonight saying that you wrote the book