president obama: a place to call out own in an too-often hostile world. a sanctuary from so many hardships. houses where the free couldn't gather together and shout -- could gather together and shout hallelujah. restaurants along the underground railroad. bunkers for the foot soldiers of civil rights. -- rest stops along the underground railroad. we continue to organize for jobs and justice. places of scholarship and networking. places where children are loved

and fed and kept out of harms way and told that they are beautiful and smart and taught that they matter. [applause] that is what happens in church. president obama: that is what the black church means. our beating heart. the place where our dignity as a people is inviolate. there is no better example of this tradition than mother emanuel. [applause] president obama: a church built by blacks seeking liberty burned to the ground because it's founders soft to end slavery. -- sought to end slavery. only twice again, the phoenix from these ashes. -- only to rise again, a phoenix

from these ashes. when there were laws banning black church gatherings, gatherings have any weight in defiance of the laws. there was a movement to dismantle jim crow. dr. martin luther king jr. preached and marches began from its steps. the sacred place, this church. not just for blacks, not just for christians, but for every american who cares about the steady expansion of human rights and human dignity in this country. a foundation for liberty and justice for all. that is what the church meant. [applause] >> that's right.

>> yeah! [applause] president obama: we do not know whether the killer of reverend clementa pinckney and eight others knew all of this history. but he surely sensed the meaning of his violent act. it was an act that drew on a long history of bomb, s, arson shots fired at churches. not random, but as a means of control. a way to terrorize and depressed. -- and oppress. [applause]

president obama: an act that he imagined would incite fear. and recrimination. and violence and suspicion. an act that he presumed would deepen divisions that traced back to our nation's original sin. oh but god works in mysterious ways. [cheers] [applause] president obama: god has different ideas-- [applause] president obama: he didn't know he was being used by god. [cheers]

president obama: blinded by hatred, the alleged to look could not see -- the alleged killer could not see the great surrounding -- the grace surrounding clementa pinckney and that the bible study group. the love they showed when it opened the church doors inviting a stranger to join in their prayer service. the alleged killer could have never anticipated the way the families of the fallen would respond when they saw him in court in the midst of unspeakable grief with words of forgiveness. he couldn't imagine that. [applause] president obama: the alleged killer could not imagine how the city of charleston, under the good and wise leadership of

mayor riley and the state of south carolina, how is united states of america with respond, not merely with repulsion at his evil act but with goodhearted generosity, and more importantly, the thoughtful introspection and self-examination that we so rarely see in public life. blinded by hatred, he failed to comprehend what reverend clementa pinckney so well understood. the power of god's grace. [applause] president obama: this whole week i've been reflecting on this idea of grace.

[chatter and applause] president obama: the grace of the families who lost loved ones. the grace that reverend clementa pinckney would preach about in his sermons. the grace described in one of my favorite hymnals, the one we all know. amazing grace. [applause] how sweet the sound. that saved a wretch like me. i once was lost, but now i'm found. was blind, but now i see. ♪

president obama: according to the christian tradition, grace is not earned. >> no sir. president obama: grace is not merited. it's not something we deserve. >> [crowd] no! president obama: rather, grace is the free and benevolent favor of god. [applause] president obama: in the bestowal of blessings grace. as a nation out of this terrible tragedy, god has visited grace upon us. for us has allowed us to see where we have been blind.

[applause] he has given us the chance where we have been lost to find our best selves. we may not have earned it, this grace, with our rancor and complacency and shortsightedness and fear of each other, but we got it all the same. he gave it to us anyway. he has once more given us grace. but it is up to us now to make the most of it. to receive it with gratitude. and to prove ourselves worthy of this gift. for too long, we were blind to the pain that the confederate flag stirred in it too many of our citizens.

[applause] it's true, a flag did not cause these murders. but as people from all walks of life republicans and democrats now acknowledge including governor haley, whose recent eloquence on the subject is worthy of praise. [applause] as we all have to acknowledge the flag has always represented more than just ancestral pride. [laughter and cheers] [applause]

president obama: for many, black and white, that flag was a reminder of the systemic oppression. and racial subjugation. we see that now. removing the flag from this state's capital would not be an act of political correctness. it would not be an insult to develop of confederate soldiers. -- insult to the valor of confederate soldiers. it would simply be an acknowledgment that the cause for which they fought -- the cause of slavery was wrong. [cheers]

[applause] president obama: the imposition of jim crow after the civil war the resistance of civil rights for all people was wrong. [applause] president obama: it would be one step in the becoming of america's history. a modest, but meaningful bone in so many unhealed wounds. it would mean expression of the ranging changes -- the amazing changes that have transformed this state and the country for the better because of the work of so many people of goodwill. people all races, striving to form a more perfect union.

by taking down at that flag, we express god's grace. [applause] president obama: but i don't think god wants us to stop there. for too long we've been blind to the way past injustices continue to shape the present. [cheers] president obama: perhaps we see that now. perhaps this tragedy causes us to ask some tough questions about how we can permit so many of our children to languish in poverty. or attend dilapidated schools or grow up without aspects for a job or a career. perhaps it causes us to examine what would cause some of our children to hate.

[applause] perhaps it softens hearts towards those lost young men tens of thousands caught up in the criminal justice system, and lead us to make sure that that system is not biased, that we embrace changes in how we train and equip our police so that the bonds of trust between law-enforcement and the community make us all safer. maybe we now realize the weight racial bias -- the way racial bias can affect us, even when we don't realize it. so we are guarding against not just racial slurs but also against the subtle impulse to call johnny back for a job

interview but not jamal. [cheers] [applause] president obama: as we search our hearts when we consider laws to make it harder for some of our fellow citizens to vote. by recognizing our common community -- common humanity, by treating all children as important, regardless of the color of their skin or the station into which they were born and to do what is necessary to make opportunity real for every american. by doing that we express god's

grace. [cheers] [applause] president obama: for too long-- >> for too long! president obama: for too long we've been blind to the unique mayhem that gun violence in flex upon this nation. -- inflicts upon this nation. [applause] president obama: sporadically our eyes are open. when 8 of our brothers and sisters are cuts down in a church basement. 12 in a movie theater. 26 in an elementary school.

but i hope we also see the 30 purchase lives cut short -- 30 precious lives cut short i got violent every single day. -- by gun violence every single day. the survivors crippled. the children traumatized and fearful every day they walked to school. the husband who will never feel his wife's warm touch. the entire communities whose grief overflows every time i have to watch what happened to them happen to some other place. the vast majority of americans the majority of gun owners, want to do something about this. we see that now. [applause] and i am convinced that by

acknowledging the pain and loss of others, even as we respect the tradition, ways of life that make up this beloved country by making the moral choice to change, we express god's grace. >> amen. president obama: we don't earn grace. we're all sinners. we don't deserve it. [applause] president obama: but god gives it to us anyway. in we choose how to receive it. it is our decision how to honor it. none of us can or should expect a transformation in race relations overnight.

every time something like this happens, somebody says we have to have a conversation about race. we talk a lot about race. there is no shortcut. we don't need more talk. [applause] president obama: none of us should believe that a handful of gun safety measures should prevent every tragedy. it will not. people of goodwill will continue to debate the merits of various policies as our democracy requires. as a big and raucous place america is. and there are people on outside of these dates. =-- these debates.

whatever solutions we find will necessarily be incomplete. but it would be a betrayal of everything reverend clementa pinckney stood for, i believe if we allow ourselves to slip into a comfortable silence again. once the eulogy has been delivered. once the tv cameras move on to go back to business as usual. that's what we so often do. to avoid uncomfortable truths about the prejudice that infects our society. the symbol for simply justice without following up on the hard work of long-lasting change. that is how we lose our way again. it would be a reputation of the forgiveness -- a refutation of

the forgiveness of those families if we merely slipped into old habits, where those who disagree with us are not merely wrong, but bad. where we shout and barricade ourselves behind preconceived notions or well practiced cynicism's. -- cynicisms. reverend clementa pinckney once said, across the south, we have a deep appreciation of history. we haven't always had a deep appreciation of each other's history. [applause] president obama: what is true in the south is true for america. if i'm understood that justice grows out of recognition, of

ourselves in each other then my liberty depends on you being free too. that history can't be a sword to justify injustice or a shield against progress, but must be a manual for how to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. how to break the cycle toward a better world. he knew that the path of grace involves an open mind. but more importantly, an open heart. that's what i felt this week. an open heart. that more than any particular policy or analysis is what is

called upon right now i think. what a friend of mine, the writer marilynne robinson calls, that reservoir of goodness beyond and of another kind that we are able to do to each other in the ordinary cause of peace. that reservoir of goodness. if we can find that grace anything is possible. [applause] president obama: if we can tap that grace, everything can change. amazing grace. amazing grace.

president obama: ♪ amazing grace ♪ [cheers] president obama: ♪ how sweet the sound ♪ [crowd joining} that saved a wretch like me ♪ >> i once was lost ♪ ♪ but now i'm found ♪ ♪ was blind but now i see ♪

[applause] president obama: clementa pinckney found that grace. cynthia hurd found that grace. susie jackson found that grace. ethel lance found that grace. depayne doctor found that grace. tywanza sanders found that grace. daniel simmons found that grace. sharonda singleton found that grace. myra thompson found that grace. they passed it on to us. may we find ourselves worthy of that precious and extraordinary gift. as all of our lives into her-- our lives endure.

may grace lead them home. may god continue to shed his grace on the united states of america. ♪ [organ music] ♪

>> we will have a prayer of

comfort and then the funeral home gives us direction and we will be on our way. i want to thank you, mr. president, for a powerful message. [cheers] ♪ >> that's right, a powerful message. let the church say "amen." >> amen. >> join me in prayer. when i come to the end of my journey, carrying the staff and the cross a reduction, -- of redemption, he will understand, and say well done. by the grace of glory a ruler and redeemer. -- our ruler and redeemer. bless and comfort us as we leave this place. we mourn today the tragic

death of clementa pinckney. we also celebrated his exemplary spiritual life of service. this grieving passing will be rejoice for, because he is your child. he lives eternally where there is no violence, no pain, and no danger. rejoice that he now lives eternally in the land where every day is a day of unspeakable joy. bless us to remember him as the navigate -- as we navigate life's unpredictable pathways, for if we follow you, we will never walk alone. father in the extended families of the eight other souls to grapple with their grief with their refuge, and their strength. help them to remember, even when the visitors have slacked off

and the calls become less frequent, you are still just a prayer away. bless those in the ame church and the broader faith to keep our spiritual arms around them so that we can be strength of consolation and assurance. -- can be instruments of consolation and insurance. so that we can change things for the better. bless our communities, state and world. we have come together in a mighty way to deal with this horrific tragedy. it will keep us together so that we continue to stand and work together to find common ground for equality and prosperity and justice and progress, not on our terms, but on your terms. blessed be with us, dear lord. protect us so that we can remember clementa pinckney about serving you as he did.

when life is over for each of us, our legacy will say after me and him, it capitulated his legacy. if i can tell someone as i pass on, then my living will not be in vain. amen. >> amen. >> thank you so much. may you please be seated for a moment and receive these instructions please. please be seated. you will not be able to exit the building, so it's best to have a seat. [laughter] >> ladies and gentlemen following the closing selection as the bishops and elders and others will greet the family. the order of departure from this sanctuary, senator clementa pinckney and immediate family, the number of clementa pinckney 's extended family who were traveling to marion for the

burial. the president, the first lady, the vice president, dr bide. biden secretaries and representatives of u.s. congress, bishops and supervisors, and after these folks have departed, we will dismiss the rest of the congregation. let me acknowledge the fcl president, dr. steel. thank you for being here. congressman steny hoyer. i want to acknowledge you. we want to thank the reverend president. [cheers] for a powerful message. and to close, i want to thank all law enforcement who have helped us.

[cheers] localm state, and federal -- thank you. and we want to thank our local chief of police. if you can't get out of charleston -- you can't get out of charleston without his help. thank you so much. after i leave, we will give further direction, then the resection and the church's assistance to join at the exit behind the order in which i listed. thank you. thank you so much. >> to the reverend president-- [laughter] >> mrs. obama, vice president biden, dr. biden, on behalf of mrs. pinckney and her two

daughters and the family, i want to thank you for your presence today, but also for your cards and letters. we do not have the opportunity to make individual expressions at this time, but they have seen the letters and flowers, and we thank you so very much for your prayers and concerns for this family during the hours of bereavement. those thinly members -- family members who will be running with us to marion, south carolina after the immediate family is transported to limousines, we invite you to go out this exit, where secret service and security officials will take you to the georgia street exit, so that you may go quickly to your cars. we will wait 15 minutes on the corner of meeting and lee

street. then we will process together to marion, south carolina for the middle and internment. -- committal and internment. >> let me ask the crowd to sing "my hope is built" and go into the transitional selection. ♪

>> lets me have your attention please. okay, well he's the president so. if he's all right, i'm alright. go ahead and send. [laughter]

go ahead and thingsing " my hope is built." [congregation singing]

>> if i may have your attention please. we are going to have to -- okay, after the bishop, we have to go the other way. and then let's follow the instructions that we gave. thank you so much. i know, i understand. choir, continue to sing. ♪

>> we will now have a senator clementa pinckney's immediate family who were traveling to marion, south carolina.

sister pinckney and the girls. the president, first lady, vice president, and dr. biden, secretary clinton representatives of the u.s. congress, you need to now move as we do, the recessional selection. please pay attention. we have been beautiful all day. turn to somebody, say, you have been beautiful all day. let us not lose our beauty. follow the instructions, please. shh. ♪

>> memebers of the church will follow right after the president. >> and supervisors, this way to mey right. ♪

>> let me have the deacons and the sisters. please let them through. ♪ >> c-span gives you the best actress to congress. live coverage of the u.s. house congressional hearings, and news coverage is. bringing you events that shape u.s. policy. every week, washington journal is live with policymakers and journalist and your comments by phone, facebook, and twitter. c-span, created by america's cable companies and what is the service by your local cable or satellite wider. --satellite provider.

>> earlier today, the supreme court ruled 5-4 that same-sex couples have the right to marry in all states. the new york times called it the victory for gay marriage supporters, writing the decision is a decision of litigation and activism. the first marriages in several states and signs of resistance are selling. -- are stalling. with polls indicating that most americans now approve of same-sex unions. just as entity kennedy -- the court heard the oral or commit -- arguments in april. we will have them on our companion network c-span2. all on c-span2 starting at 8:00 eastern. here on c-span, a look at the

scene outside the supreme court earlier today when the decision first came down. [cheers] [cheers]

[cheering and yelling]

[chatter] [cheering] >> [chanting] u.s.a! u.s.a! u.s.a! [cheers]

>> i can't believe this is happening. >> it was 5-4. [cheers]

[crowd singing] >> are you excited about the decision? >> uh, yes. i'm excited that the quality is now all of the country. -- equality is now all over the country. it is an amazing day. we heard the oral arguments. a weekend before, the anti-marriage apology folks are were out, so we came to share love with them.

[singing] >> ♪ make them hear you ♪ ♪ the power of the pen ♪ ♪ justice will be demanded by 10 million righteous men ♪ ♪ [cheers]

>> thank you very much. i appreciate it.

[indiscernible] >> thank you! thank you so much.

>> ♪ we shall overcome ♪ ♪ we shall overcome ♪ ♪ we shall overcome ♪ ♪ the day ♪ ♪ we shall overcome some day ♪ ♪ we will marry free ♪ ♪ we will marry free ♪

♪ we will marry free today ♪ [cheers] ♪ oh, deep in my heart ♪ ♪ i do believe ♪ ♪ we will marry free today ♪ [cheers] [applause]

>> separate the argument. they are two separate

apartments. one, biologically you need a man and a woman to have a child. but if you want to argue that's god's creation-- >> a number of the nation's governors reacted to the supreme court decision, including state with bans on same-sex marriage. robert bentley tweeted "i always respect people's votes and i am disappointed that the supreme court has disregarded the choice made by people in alabama in its decision." he is direct -- steve hr is directing all caps of the executive branch to immediately alter any policies necessary to permit the decision. scott walker tweets, "i believe the supreme court's decision is a great mistake. five unelected judges have taken it upon himself to redefine the

institution of marriage." and andrew cuomo " we celebrate a victory for lgbt writes across the nation. new york is proud to have led the way for marriage >> president obama's eulogy followed by the entire service. after that, martin o'malley on national security. president obama attended the funeral for reverend clementi think mea pinckney. he was one of the nine victims in last week shooting at the church.