therstand, and now with exception of a very few, they do. better transition assistance is partly why veterans are getting jobs at record rates, but i think there is more we can do. we have established a licensing program to give service members becausehere it is due if you are certified to drive a truck or provide medical attention in a war zone, you should not have to get recertified back home. [applause] over the next few years, we expect 1.5 million 9/11 generation vet to join the 2.5 million will have already left service. we need to lay a foundation for veterans support 10 years, 20 years, 30 years from now.

asking questions about the future is vitally important. we need to ensure today that every strategic decision we make should be a step to keeping us safe, protecting our country, and protecting our allies and friends now and in the future. after 9/11, under the weight of important and all-consuming missions in iraq and afghanistan , our men and women in uniform performed it with tremendous professionalism, skill, and valor as so many of you have done in your time when called to duty. as we remain engaged there to preserve gains we have helped secure, we must also turn the corner and look ahead to a full spectrum of threats today and into the future, where our focus must be broader than counterinsurgency. in the asia-pacific, our balance to that region where nearly half of humanity and the

world's economies reside is aimed at preserving our security connection strong enough to ensure all nations have the opportunity to continue to rise. the united states joins others in that region and around the world in our deep concern about china's pace and scope of land reclamation. we want a peaceful solution to all disputes, below me be clear. th-- but let me be clear. the united states will operate wherever international law allows. [applause] we are supporting our allies with a new playbook countering russian aggression with a strong and balanced approach and bolstering our nato alliance, which continues to be an anchor for global security.

we do not seek to make russia an enemy. make the mistake, they may be intent on turning the clock back in russia, but they cannot turn the clock back in your. -- in europe. [applause] we will defend our allies. rules-basednd the international order, and we will defend a positive future that affords us. in the middle east, the situation is to put it mildly complex. that test our friends from different directions -- they are threats to our friends from different directions. we are focused on protecting our interests and our allies, and above all, defending our people. [applause] first, we will deliver a lasting

defeat to isil. [applause] with a global coalition of some 60 nations, we are taking the across the battle space as it requires. conductedion has over 6500 airstrikes, severely hampering isis movement and operations and systematically eliminating the evil group's leadership. dealing them in lasting defeat must be a capable, motivated local forces on the ground to sustain the defeat. otherwise, we know from will bece that isil defeated come of it five years or 10 years later, something like it will be back. we canlition and us,

support such local forces, but we cannot substitute for them. we have trained more than 12,000 iraqis. we need more. isil's defeat a certain, but it will take time, and it will require leveraging all elements of american power, including intelligence, financial, and diplomatic efforts as well as military. which brings me to a second important piece of our broader middle east strategy, a nuclear deal with iran. our strategy to iran includes, but is not limited to, the agreement to stop iran from getting a nuclear weapon. let me say alright this is a good deal because once implemented, it will remove a critical source of risk and uncertainty in an important but most was region. tumultuousity -- but

region. placesability, the deal no limits on the air of military. our military option israel and will remain real. real.real and will remain we will continue to protect our friends, especially israel, from iran's destabilizing abilities. [applause] as i told more than 35,000 american troops in the region when i visited there last month, deal or no deal, the u.s. military will remain. full speedill remain ahead. [applause] no matter the circumstances in that region or around the world, the bottom line is those that wish to do us harm will never find safe haven. if you do an american lives, you will answer for it no matter what it takes.

[applause] answering threats today and for years to come demands we look future. look to the last week, i was at nellis air force base, where we are connecting air force exercises with our air force and a joint force and some allies working with new technologies and capabilities in space, cyber, and electronic warfare as well as air warfare. nellis symbolizes our strategic transition, a future where america remains overwhelmingly strong in posture and retains full spectrum dominance. after a decade of focusing on counterinsurgency, we are turning to all of the challenges and opportunities and threats that will define our future security, where we remain strong, agile, and always ready. today, the u.s. military has no

equal. we are the best. [applause] to stay the best, we have to embrace the future. that has several dimensions. we have to be open to the wider world of technology. we need a sensible long-term budget that does right by our military and our taxpayers. [applause] we bring in a 21st-century personnel system to match a 21st-century military. that is what i call the force of the future. embracing change to stay the best is not a course correction. it is the wind in our sales. it is the american way. it is what we have always done to make a strong. first, our unrivaled military must double down on unrivaled american strength, our capacity

for game changing innovation. with theo be the first most in all technology fields. as part of my effort to push the ouragon to think outside of five sided box, we are building stronger bridges between the pentagon and silicon valley and the tech communities around the country. we are aggressively investing in innovation and pushing in r&d in areas like robotics, cyber security, biotech, and hypersonic engines that can fly more than five times the speed of sound. i was just in silicon valley last week announcing a new public and private partnership to propel flexible hybrid electronics technology, which in case you do not know what that is is lightweight sensors of the future that can give us real-time damage reports or integrate into smartpros that if

the have the full flexibility of human skin. those are some of the applications, but the most exciting applications will no doubt be ones we cannot imagine yet. that is just one field of technology. it is not just about the best technology. you know we need the best people also. we are drilling tunnels through the wall that sometimes seems to separate the government from the innovative private sector. more of america's brightest minds can contribute to our mission, even if for a time. [applause] all of this, having the best people, maintaining the best technology, and executing of a strategy, takes resources. that is the next point i want to make. to support today's force and meet tomorrow's threats, we need certainty.udget entit

our troops need the right kind of training and compensation. we have been forced to make painful trade-offs often on short notice critically undermining our mission. our troops deserve better than the inadequacy and quick fixes and one year every year crisis budgeting. [applause] indiscriminate cuts from sequestration are wasteful for taxpayers. dangerous for our strategy. unfair for our troops. frankly, embarrassing in front of the world. [applause] we need to come together behind a multitier approach to our multi-year- approached our budgeting. a catalog of shortages faces managing force with leverage.

thennot be indifferent to budgets of the state department, the fbi, the justice department, treasury, homeland security. that is a world in which we live. i cannot be indifferent to that, and i am not. , forng to fund them too example, our collective efforts to protect ourselves from isil and defeat it and state of rest. we have to compete for the best talent from a new generation. to congress this, we need to build the force of the future . you may have read about recent proposals on personal changes. we are thinking through many ideas, and we need time to get the best ideas and advice from our services and groups like yours, the legion. the people of the u.s. armed forces are the best and always will be the best. and how we manage them should be the best too.

we have an all-volunteer force. for us to keep recruiting and retaining the force, the military has to be an attractive place to work. we are aligning our management system with 21st-century trancelike the digital revolution in talent management and the generational reality that some americans are not satisfied with an industrial era type career track. they want jungle gym careers when you advance by moving around and having new experiences, not an escalator where you get on and wait your turn. not all upgrades in the private sector are applicable for our military because after all, the military is a profession of arms with a unique mission. still, we can learn some lessons and get some inspiration from new tools and modern approaches. here are some things we are considering. we are pushing for flex ability giveilding on ramps to

more people more choices because wherever it is compatible with service needs, it should not feel like you have to choose between pursuing a promotion, supporting a family, or getting a quality education. [applause] when today's veterans succeed, it shows tomorrow's service members that the military can be a launching pad for further success for them. with days ago, i met the leaders of linkedin. i sat and with a few veterans who worked in there and said it best when they told me the military is not just a great is place to go, it is a great place to be from. the american legion has seen the world undergo tremendous change. that trend continues today with a more digitized, more

connected, and more complex global security environment. we are a learning organization. that is what gives us ahead of my doubting, innovating, rising the occasion. we do not react to change, we wield change. in a century of progress, the american legion helped painstakingly built. -- build. you never tried from insisting on something better and amending we do right by the people who stepped forward that demanding by the people that stepped forward. a few weeks ago, i had a permit of speaking with a captain and first lieutenant, the first women to run the right to wear the coveted major tab. [applause] do, leadwhat rangers the way. today, it is actually a huge

credit for anybody, man or woman, to injure the intense curriculum at ranger school and to prevail and graduate. these two women are more than a snapshot of the strength of our current force. they represent a broader future trend where a strategy of staying the best means we keep pace with change and open ourselves to the talents and strengths of all americans who can contribute with excellence to our force. where we modernize our recruitment, our retention, and our readiness in a way that is worthy of a 21st century force. few,veryone, only a select will meet our standards of combat excellence. no one needs to be barred from their chance of being tested. that is one way we are evolving to retain our place as the finest fighting force the world has ever known.

[applause] best, we must give the best,-- to stay we was given our focus to the most important people. building the force of the future. if we do right by our people with thought and commitment and openness and honor, then tomorrow's veterans will be as good as today's, and america's security will be assured for generations to come. thank you for all you do to make our country strong and secure. [applause] ♪ >> the american legion heard from chuck hagel who was the recipient of this year's testing with service medal.

his remarks are 15 minutes. >> thank you for what you have done and continue to do for this institution and for all our leadership, the american legion, and all of you who have devoted so many years of your lives to this country into the american legion. i am particularly honored to receive this award. as some of you know, my friends you getraska know that to drinks tonight -- two drinks tonight. [laughter] maybe three. i don't know how that works. i cover the legion family. my father was a three-time commander of the american legion post in nebraska in 1950. my mother served three terms as president of the legion

auxiliary. this is, i think, my 47th year of being a life member of the american legion. my brother is. [applause] i am particularly proud of this honor. i recognize there are so many of you, people across this country -- veterans, people who have given so much that deserve it far more than i do. at one time i was a shameless politician, so i will accept the reward of course. [laughter] [applause] but again, thank you very much. let me offer a couple of thoughts. first to again acknowledge what

this institution of the american legion needs to this economy. -- means to this country. the shaping and molding that the american legion has done with our young people -- i see some here -- i know they are in the audience. over generations, it has been very significant. you continue to do that. you continue to expand on that. i think that is as critical a contribution as any that you you make. we all know, especially as parents, that is the future. to continually imbue in our young people responsibility, patriotism, i think is an easy word to roll off people's lips. but sacrifice is different. patriotism is about sacrifice. it's so important that we teach our young people about that. all the different programs that

legion has done have been part of and continues to initiate -- it does that in a special way. so thank you. second, we are living at an incredible time in the world. i think we all appreciate that, understand that. this is a time when a world order established right after world war ii that has lasted about 70 years. when you look back over that 70 years, it has been pretty successful. imperfect, problems, issues, conflict. we still have that today. in some areas, even more exaggerated than we have seen before. but when you look at the long pull of history and how this has

worked the last 70 years, the world is better today than it was 70 years ago by any measurement. we look at measurements of the kind of world we've had, and if we have generally been successful in the world. no world war iii, new nuclear no nuclear exchange. those two issues are important. as sod of accept that what? but as the previous speaker, and recipient noted in his remarks just a few minutes ago, and the world war ii and korea veterans out there know this was not a given. all the great leaders of the world war ii generation that helped shape the new world order -- eisenhower, marshall, truman,

shuman, went to their graves concerned about a nuclear exchange and about world war iii. we have preserved that element, of 70 years of relative global peace. now we have challenges that are immense. they are different kinds of challenges. we live in a world that is completely interconnected. we have 7 billion global citizen. s. all part of a global community. that community is underpinned by a global economy. we see the fusion of economic power around the world at a rate unprecedented in history. we are seeing technology shift and change everything. we are seeing relationships develop and unfold. and past conflict, buried in

centuries of religious conflict, tribal conflict, historic conflict. it is a time when every responsible leader of every responsible institution of the in the world, starting with leaders of countries, are faced with an immense array of challenges coming at them all at one time. more uncontrollable than we have had to do with all that once. more unpredictables. as great a country as america is, with all its power -- and no one equals us by any measurement -- doesn't mean we are better people. but we have something very special we have been able to preserve for a long time. the world looks to us in a special way. we can't solve every problem. we certainly can't do it alone. but what we can do is what these wise leaders after world war ii

did as they built coalitions of common interest. nato, the world bank, united nations -- dozens of these institutions that brought people together based on a common interest. differences of opinion. the u.s. continue to have differences with our strongest allies. that's okay. the common interests are critically important for our future. the world is going to get more complicated. a world of 7 billion people now. we are told we will reach how we 9 billion. use our military is always important, has always been important. but today, it's particularly important because the military can't solve all the problems. the problems that our military deals with today wherever it is

our underpinned by much bigger political, social problems. my good friend jim clifton, who is from nebraska, his family owns gallup. he's said over the last couple years that much of what's going on in the world is driven by no hope, despair, and joblessness. when you have these 18, 19, 20-year-old young men with no prospects, no education, no job, no hope. what do we think is going to happen? it won't be good. all these things come together at a point where the strength of our military, just as always, must never be compromised. we must have the most strongest, most sophisticated, well led, motivated military ever.

[applause] that alone won't fix the problem. that is a huge anchor to have, and we must have it. economic issues and other issues factor in too. we must use our military carefully, wisely, judiciously. what mike said it is very -- in his very generous introduction to me, and i can say this when i was in the senate -- i did say this when i was in the senate --what is her the exit strategy? we need to have a series of questions asked before we commit military to different adventures. then what happens? then what happens? it's the same set of questions that each of us, in our own lives, ask each other. then what happens? what effect is this going to have.

? this is a time in particular for that kind of reflection and thinking. i am hopeful about our world. this country, as much as people occasionally step back and wonder what is going on, has the world gone mad? everything is upside down. we go through those periods in history. when you think about america, and you think we are rooted in a constitution that works. a balance of power, checks of power on the governing institutions. everything about the fabric of our society is good. it is strong. sometimes, our greatest strength appears to be a weakness, but it's not. it's the questioning of each other. the questioning of leaders. that is healthy.

it is an outlet. but at some point, we have got to let our leaders govern. we have to let our leaders lead. but not without question. that is a responsibility we, too, have as citizens. i did my remarks as i began about the american legion. the american legion has always done that and been as responsible an institution and influential as there has ever been in our last 100 years. i say that because of the way to do have done it, who you represent. you have earned it, through your contributions, not only the right to do that, but the responsibility to do that. at a time when every poll in the u.s. over the last few years shows clearly that the trust and confidence in every institution in the u.s. is at

record lows except the military. the military is the one to show institution we are going through one of those periods when there is a lot of conflict, questions, complications, uncertainty. we need the strength of institutions as well because that is another strength we have. i am often in and out of afghanistan. one of the points i used to make i is connie or karza strengthen the institutions. the institutions out with all of us. strengthen those institutions of government and help them build their own institution so they can govern. we can't be there all over the world forever to protect everybody and do the things we

can do better than everybody else. we don't have the capacity to do that. we don't have the will to do it. we shouldn't do it. we can't impose our will and people that we can help them instrument is ways. we've done more than any other country in the history of man. i think that is important about our country, our heritage. we look to the future with great hope, great confidence, and we cannot lose our confidence. what i have shared are some thoughts you well know. i thought i which are that with you because -- i would share that with you because after almost 50 years of doing many, many things in my life, and my first real service to this country was when i went into the army in 1967 and my brother tom and i served in vietnam in 1968.

from that time on i have done many things. private, public, have a great which -- privileged to do so many things and some anyways. your almost 50 years that hope you are a little smarter, little wiser. it doesn't always work that way but you also have a little more time to reflect on the world, where we have been, and where we are going. goingwith where we are really includes maybe more than ever the american legion and institutions that help guide our country. not necessarily help govern it, but guided because it is a morality, and influence, leadership that is reflected in everything. i have often said politics does not lead anything.

politics reflects society. anyone in politics reflects who they represent. there are various views and you know that 92 about how to govern enough to govern -- and i do to about how to govern and not to govern. the strength of that society really determines the future of the country. for you to help continue to that a society and knit together when there is some fraying is going to be as critical as any component of our future. again, thank you. you have been very generous. it's a great honor to be here and a great honor to accept this award. i will continue to help the american legion in our veterans and our country in every way i can. again, thank you for everything you do. have a wonderful convention. thank you.

[applause] >> more now from the american legion's national conference with veteran affairs secretary robert mcdonald. he talked about improving veterans access to care. this is 20 minutes. thank you so much for that kind introduction. more importantly, thank you for your committed leadership of the american legion over the last year. wheelercknowledge dan were visited recently in indianapolis and verna jones will work with everyday. and the other members of the legion leadership team. fellow veterans, place in general and, working at the da is a higher calling -- v.a. is a higher calling. that is to care for those who are borne the battle and the families and their survivors. and we have the best, most deserving clients in the world.

recently some people in washington and in other parts of the country have begun to question the need for v.a. one thing i have learned since my confirmation as secretary is there is no substitute for v.a. the v.a.needin americans everywhere benefit from the v.a. was so special about v.a. health care? is supported by three pillars. a unique system that depends on the strength inherent in all three pillars. research, education and training, and clinical care. made -- researchers have observations to medical science. prizesng three nobel among many other recognitions.

pacemaker.ble the first successful liver transplant. the nicotine patch. shingles faxing. multiple advances in prosthetics and identifying genetic risk factors for numerous diseases. treating spinal cord injuries at bronx v.a.- we are affiliated with 1800 institutions. we train 120,000 health care professionals every year. 62,000 medical students and residents, 23,000 or thing students, 33,000 students and other health fields. all u.s.ted 70% of doctors are trained with the v.a.

we are the largest trader of nurses in the nation. last year rigid 55 million appointments for 6.6 million unique patients. we are a national leader in telehealth services. we are also a national leader of reducing mrsa infections. 2007,re down 68.6% since compared to 30% for non-v.a. hospitals. health caree v.a. ratings. researchers continue to win awards for excellence like the ones you see here. take a look at the second bullet point. upyears ago doctors teamed

to find out how spinal cord injuries caused many parts of the body to function poorly. in 2001 they established the national center of excellence for the medical consequences of spinal cord injuries. they and others have worked to improve the quality of life for paralyzed veterans. last year, they were honored with the samuel j hyman service to america metal. l. meda the veteran population is aging. in 1975 there were about 2 million veterans 65 years or older. in 2017, the role be 10 million veterans 65 years or older. 46% of all veterans will be 65 or older. simultaneously the number of claims and medical issues has soared.

completed almost 980,000 claims. in fiscal year 2017 the project we will complete over 1.4 million claims. a 47% increase. there has been more genetic growth in the number of medical issues in claims and you would expect that with an aging population. 2.7 million in 2009 and a projected 5.9 million in 2017. a 115% increase over just eight years. these increases were company by dramatic rise in the average degree of veteran's disability compensation. to 1995,ars, from 1950 the average degree of disability was 30%. since 2000, the average degree has risen 47.7%.

the percentage of veterans receiving v.a. compensation follows the same pattern. from 1960 to 2000, it was stable at about 8.5%. in just 14 years, since 2001, it is more than doubled to 19%. while it is true that the total number of veterans is declining, the number of those seeking benefits is increasing. fueled by the aging veteran population. more than a decade of war. agent orange-related claims. an unlimited claims appeal process. increased medical claims issues. far higher survival rates on the battlefield. more sophisticated methods of identifying and treating veteran's medical issues. veterans demand for services is exceeded v.a.'s capacity to meet

it is important that congress and the american people understand why that is happening. compounding the problem, this is settling -- saddled with aging infrastructure. more than 1300 are over 70 years old. a full 60% are over 50 years old. these older buildings don't meet today's standards for hospital construction and need to be replaced with new buildings. producedendent budget by the veterans service organizations estimated that closing the major construction billion toke $19 $22.3 billion over the next 10 years. here is an example. this is an actual building known -- owned by the v.a. in minneapolis. it was built as a gas station in

1932. we want to tear down a building homeless shelter, but the building poses historical value and it has made that almost impossible to do so is still standing. v.a. currently has 336 buildings vacant or less than 50% occupied. that is 10.5 million square feet costing about $24 million annually. deliveringmitted to timely, high-quality health care to our nation's veterans. we know we still have far too many veterans waiting for care. we are now providing more care for veterans than ever before both inside v.a. and outside v.a. to meet immediate demand for hours.we have extended 880,000 appointments completed during extended hours. we have activated 80 buildings with 1.3 million square feet to

the footprint. another 420,000 square feet in property. we us that the recruiting of new personnel. 38,000 hired in the past 10 months for a net increase of 12,000 v.a. employees and 1000 more physicians in over 2700 more nurses. we've issued over one million more authorization for care in the community, a 41% increase. speaking of care in the community, v.a. has been referring veterans for decades. whenever it make sense for not opposedd we are to making greater use of care in the community to meet the access challenge. we know that many veterans prefer v.a. health care. a survey of veterans found that 47% offered choice, elected to wait together care inside the v.a.

70% were satisfied with their v.a. care experience. 82% would recommend v.a. care to fellow veterans. .ne more thing to keep in mind most veterans always have a choice -- already have a choice. 70% have either medicare, medicaid, tricare, or private insurance. many come to v.a. and the disparity of out-of-pocket costs between their insurance and v.a. care. v.a. provides the best hearing aid technology anywhere. medicare does not cover hearing aids. most insurance plans have limited coverage of hearing aids at best. choosing v.a. saves veterans around $4200. we are providing regular updates of patient access data seeking the hell we are doing. no private health-care system does this give it private

health-care system wants to be measured by appointment wait times. it's not an accepted industry practice but we are doing it. here are the results. 7 million more appointments completed in the past 12 months. ,.5 million more within v.a. 4.5 million in the community versus last year. 97% of appointments are now completed within 30 days of the veteran's preferred date. 87% are within seven days. 22% over than -- our same-day appointment. average wait time for completed appointments is four days for primary care, five days for specialty care, three days for mental health care. more progress. 12% increase in after hours and weekend appointments. 19% increase in telehealth. souls.rease in the:

sults.on 47% reduction in the electronic waitlist. 93% reduction in the new enrolling of limit request list. our physician productivity has increased 8% and on the health care budget increase of only 2.8%. so you see we are working harder and smarter and the result is more care for more veterans. of course health care is is one of nine v.a. lines of business. ,thers are life insurance mortgage insurance, pensions, disability compensation, a more real affairs, and education. we have reasons to be proud in those areas. we guarantee 2 million home loans with the lowest foreclosure rate and highest satisfaction rate in mortgage

lending. for the past decade the american customer satisfaction index has ranked our cemetery system as the top customer service organization in the nation. public or private. in the past two years we've got the disability claims backlog by 84%. it peaked at 611,000 claims over 125 days in march of 2013. just last week it dropped to less than 100,000 claims, the lows it is ever been in v.a. history. [applause] sec. mcdonald: we have more to do. accuracy has also improved from 83% in 2011 to 91% today. veterans are waiting much less time for pending claims. in march of 2013, the average weight was 282 days. today it is below 105 days. a 63% increase.

haddad we get there? we feel that a new electronic system for handling claims. we hired more claims staff and we've had in working mandatory overtime for much of the past four years. the mandatory overtime cannot go on forever. to keep the backlog down we need to right size are claims that which would require more funding. if we don't find the requirement, we cannot be expected to meet our requirements. as you see here we've also made substantial dense and better as homelessness which is a quite a 33% from 2010 to 2014. ending homelessness is a local effort so we're working with over 2000 partners all over the country. to meet the challenges of the 21st century, v.a. will need adequate funding. the president's 2016 budget request would provide the

funding we need. $168.8 billion. $73.5 billion in discretionary funds. and 93.5 billion funds in mandatory programs. -- $5.2 billion for 7.5% above the 2015 enacted level. dividing resources to continue serving the growing number of veterans seeking care and benefits. president's budget request is cut by $1.4 billion as the house voted to do, here is what it would mean if we apply this cuts across the board. $688 million less for veteran's medical care. the equivalent of 70,000 fewer veterans receiving v.a. medical care. no funding for four major new sixtruction projects and new cemetery projects.

it would inhibit growth -- hiring and retention of the best people by limiting the right of employees to appeal that first action and by prophetic death for having bonuses for title v s es and other employees. it would deny the long-term budgetary possibility needed to serve veterans the way they want to be served. budget possibility is extreme the important. is rising for. reasons already mentioned. for are turning to v.a. more of their care, but not for all. on average, enrolled veterans relied on v.a. for just 34% of their care. increase justtage one point to 35%, our cost increase is about $1.4 billion. an ends acted to avert of fiscal year crisis by giving v.a. limited flexibility to use

choice act funds for care in the community to cover shortfall in funding for care in the community. that possibility lasts until the end of this fiscal year, september 30. to accommodate present and future changes in the demand for care, v.a. needs permanent possibility to move funds among accounts. when you deal to move money to where the veteran goes. [applause] v.a. is committed to making the choice program work. we see our progress in the use forhoice authorizations eligible care in the community. choices not cover everything but for what it does cover authorizations are now over 50%. we need congress to fully find the president's 2016 budget. and when he congress to give us permanent possibility to move funds to where it is most needed based on where veterans choose

to get the care. i mentioned earlier that some people in washington are questioning the need for v.a. others have attended to squeeze the needs of veterans into a sequestered budget that artificially constraints the budget regardless of what makes the programs we are trying to operate within the v.a. or across the government. all of this, like a possibility to give veterans real choice, the cuts come the discussions about whether veterans actually deserve a medical system to call her own, all lisa the same place. -- leads to the same place. a place for the needs of veterans are secondary to ideology. where scoring political points are shortsighted budget policies are more important than veterans. a place where v.a. is set up to fail. a place where there are no winners and veterans who have sacrificed so much for a much nobler purpose are the ones left suffering.

that is not acceptable to me. it should be unacceptable to anyone who claims to actually care about the sacred responsibility that we as a nation have to care for those will born the battle. that is why i'm here. and that is what you are here. [applause] and that is what we all need to make sure our voices are heard and that we press forward in putting veterans first, not ideology. [applause] you should know we are listening hard to what veterans, congress, employees, veterans service organizations are telling us. what we hear drives us to a historic department-white transportation -- transformation of a changing the culture and making thema veterng the veterar of everything that we do. we call it "my v.a.

" first, we went to improve the veteran experience to be seamless, integrated, and responsive to the veterans needs. we want to improve the employee experience, focusing on people and culture to better serve veterans. third, we need to improve our internal support services, like our i.t. systems. fourth, we need to establish a culture of continuous improvement. -- fifth, we went to enhance strategic partnerships. there is a lot of goodwill in this country to help veterans. we want to make sure they are helping v.a. the key to improving the veterans experience at v.a. is a customer service approach. i called the platinum rule. he for the golden rule. treat others the way you would want to be treated. the platinum rule is a bit higher standard. treat others the way they want to be treated.

their perspective, their needs, their wants, that is all that counts. focus on the customer. we party taken several my v.a. steps to improve the experience. we also brought on board several key leaders with broad experience in business. 11 of my 18 senior executives have joined v.a. since my swearing in and the entire leadership team is as committed as i am to making v.a. the number one organization and customer service. [applause] sec. mcdonald: there is so much more i can tell you if we had the time. more that we have accomplished. but perhaps, more portly, what we will look on was in the coming months. we are listening to veterans more. we're listening to employees more and together we are making lasting improvements at the v.a. so in the future veterans will

say with pride that is my v.a. we need to continue support of , veterans, of veterans service organizations, and of the american people to make the necessary changes to keep moving forward. i know we will do that with your help. make i was the veterans of this country who have done so much for all of us. may god bless the united states of america. may god bless the merrick and legion. thank you very much. [applause] ♪ [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] the c-span cities tour, working with cable affiliates in visiting cities across the

country. we are joined by charter communications to learn more about the center and literary life of grand junction, colorado. the mining of a certain mineral had a long-term importance in this part of colorado. >> all over the colorado plateau , and especially here in mesa county outside of grand junction, we are surrounded by morrison rock. we find a lot of dinosaur bones, a lot of fossils. that is really intrigued scientists for long time but the other thing we also find is a mineral called carnitite. which isns radium, radioactive and used by marie currie to fight cancer. and vinadium which is used to strengthen steel. during world war ii it was of extreme value. it also contains uranium and uranium is one of the best sources for atomic power and

atomic weapons. wasongressman wayne aspinal largely responsible -- >> he fought the battle to reserve water for western colorado by making sure that we got our fair share. how did he do that? careerng in his state and then going on to his federal career he climbed up the ladder of seniority and was able to exercise more power than you might normally have. certainly in the united states congress where he was able to make sure colorado and western colorado would be treated fairly in any divisions of water. this first major success was the passage of the colorado river storage project in 1956. of our programs from

grand junction on american history tv on c-span three. here on c-span this morning, "washington journal" is next. at 10:00, pv of the pope's upcoming visit to the u.s. with kurtz.hop joseph he is our guest on "newsmakers." we will learn more of the visit uerl.cardinal donald w >> coming up, reuters mohammeddent arshad talks about diplomacy in the iran nuclear deal. then, author michael o'brien talks about his new book on the iraq war and the rise of isis.

to discuss the august jobs report and how we could lead to a possible hike interest rates by the federal reserve. ♪ host: good morning. it is sunday, september 6, 2015. this morning, kentucky county clerk can davis is coming -- kim davis is coming off her third night in jail for refusing to grant marriage licenses. stand have some calling her the poster child for a new push for a religious freedom exemption law. we are asking our viewers to