so that's why we are so disgruntled on the other side of the aisle. we don't like this jammed down our throats and rushed down the american people's throats. >> c-span's programs are available at c-span.org on our homepage and by searching the video library. >> this weekend is sunshine week, an annual campaign for greater public access to government. it's also c-span's anniversary week. 38 years ago on march 19, 1979, the house of representatives opened its debates to tv cameras for the first time. and the cable television industry launched c-span, to bring the congress into america's homes. >> the gentleman from tennessee. >> i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute, mr. speaker. >> without objection. >> mr. speaker, on this historic day, the house of representatives opens its proceedings for the first time to televised coverage. i wish to congratulate you for your courage in making this

possible and the committee who has worked so hard under the leadership of congressman charles rhodes to make this a reality. television will change this institution, mr. speaker, just as it changed the executive branch. but the good will far outweigh the bad. from this day forward, every member of this body must ask himself or herself, how many americans are listening to the debates which are made? when the house becomes comfortable with the changes brought by television coverage, the news media will be allowed to bring their own cameras into this chamber. in the meantime, there is no censorship. every word is available for broadcast coverage, and journalists will be able to use and edit as they see fit. the solution for the lack of confidence in government, mr. speaker, is more open government at all levels. i hope, for example, that the leadership of the united states senate will see this as a

friendly challenge to begin -- the speaker: under the rules the gentleman's time has expired. mr. gore: our open debate has the potential, mr. speaker, to revitalize representative democracy. >> and in 1986, the cable industry launched c-span2, to carry the senate live. all of our congressional coverage is webcast live, archived and searchable for ree at c-span.org. c-span tv, radio and online is provided from our cable and satellite affiliates across the nation. >> and a debate now on the obama presidency with new york magazine columnist jonathan chate and matt welch, editor at arge from reason magazine. dave smith will get the event started. >> now