announcer: the british for recessstands over the holiday. >> the museum of the bible look officially opened its store with the dedication ceremony and watching it, and ec ,mong the featured speakers israeli ambassador to the u.s. ronald dermer. this is just over one hour. [applause] >> hello everyone. the lord hasay made. let us rejoice and be glad in it. it is his day.

so, good morning. welcome to the dedication of the museum of the bible, the first world-class museum to the bible and the history of the worlds. what a blessing to have you here. we are so pleased everyone is here. you're going to hear from a lot of wonderful people the -- today. ands the nation's museum the worlds museum also. our worldsted in stage theater, it is a wonderful theater. we are hosting, cohosting the broadway musical "amazing grace come coat a are here. they had their second performance last night and they're going to perform on a limited engagement through january 7. if you haven't got your tickets, you can get them online. there is my commercial. our mission as an

educational innovative and our purpose ise, really does. to engage with all people in this wonderful book called the bible. its history, narrative, and impact. those are the three themes you will see throughout this museum. it continues to lift up people or we have already lifted up thousands of people. we of two litmus questions and we have created a new procedure. we ask ourselves those two litmus questions everyday. will this lift up the bible and will that lift up people? at is what it is about. we're intentionally nonsectarian, we do not advocate any specific faith tradition. this book is the foundation of many faiths and traditions.

we want to honor all of them. we want to present god's word. we believe god's word will speak for itself. the museum has an develop to have three elements. authentic scholarship. our scholars that everything you see in the exhibits for accuracy and authenticity. entertaining and and lightning exhibits. a lot of them are very interactive as you will see if you have not already. our educational programs which provide educational outreach to this wonderful community as well as to the rest of the rope. our nonprofit museum where pleased to say has no admission fee. of course, donations are accepted. we have to raise dollars to operate every year because we are not private, but we are very proud of that. i would invite you now to sit back and enjoy this

history-making event. ]applause announcer: please give a warm welcome to the greatest gospel singer of all down the renowned 10 time grammy award winner cece winans. cece: good morning. i did not know that. but i am] cece: honored to be her. this is an amazing place. all because of god's amazing grace. you we go. ♪ -- here we go. graceing the sound that saved a wretch like me

i once was lost now i'm found nowblind but i see grace that taught my heart to sing relieved my fears how precious is

grace believedi first -- the lord hath promised good to

me his word my hope secures portion beshield and as long as life endures when we've been there ten thousand years sunht shining as the god'sno less days to sing praise begunhen we first

amazing us -- yes it is -- allss us allo amazing ♪ [applause] announcer: and gentlemen, we will now receive the blessings of preeminent leaders and scholars. and chief washington of chaplains of the united states navy and rabbi stuart weinblatt, president of the rabbinic covenant of the jewish federations and scholars.

>> president of the rabin i can abinet of the jewish north america. my sisters and brothers, my task today is to read a message that comes to the opening of this bible from pope francis. >> it is his further you hope that this signature cultural nstitution through its extensive collections and exhibits, will promote a better not only of the

ich and complex history of the biblical texts, but also the nduring power of its message, to inspire and shape the lives peoples of ls, and time and place. sacred scriptures those who hear it will find nourishment for their faith will be y others introduced to a fascinating and ital chapter in the spiritual history of the human family. entrusts is likewise that the museum's engagement with scholars of various will help to advance andrreligious understanding communicating the bible, for every man and oman made in god's image and called to join in shaping a more

just and reconciled world. associated with the ork of the museum of the bible and those present for the pening ceremonies, holy father cordially invokes god's blessing, a blessing of wisdom, peace and this message is behind by the secretary of state of our holy father. >> i was also asked to make a brief comment and then a prayer, but i think the comment to take the form of something we see. harry summers and i had an together a to work number of years ago in the vatican relative to a whole on the word of god. that, the rt of participants received a

of a part of one of -- scriptures. summers of weeks, mr. and mario were kind enough to show all of us around, as we into the room where there i e many, many exhibits, shared gift of our of this facsimile, and he said, like to see the original? that's what this museum of the bible does. reality, all of that texts those real sacred right into our midst. let's now pause and pray. good and gracious father, as we

your ogether today we ask blessing on the museum of the who make this l day possible. he benefactors, staff, the volunteers, as well as the board of directors and everyone whose manifest here as the museum is dedicated and doors to opens its one and all. of you to bless this good news ning the that pours forth from the pages of the holy bible. renew our faith and give us the confidence to hare it with others, as we strive to be a sign of your love the whole rcy for human race.

nd this we pray in your most name. amen barry black has opened our senate deliberations with prayer and provided counseling and spiritual senators, their family and staff, over his of navy s deputy chief chaplains, he's provided ministry to the chief of naval operations, secretaries of the avy, and defense, and commandants of the marine corps and coast guard. chaplin lcome senate black. ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the admiral. to ne would never want barry black.in

play.t's [applause] we umble and almighty god less presence ound less here this morning, that you would bless the efforts and all of those who have labored to bring us to this and we ask that you hallow this moment. pen these doors to reveal how alive and active your word has been throughout the centuries. sharply it has pierced hrough the competing voices of ulture and power to reveal its own authority. how it has divided soul and thoughts influence the and attitudes of countless all ages. breathe your gracious spirit into the displays of art, and history. may these collections so

ainstakingly collected and preserved serve to be useful for the instruction, wise in their of misunderstandings, and effective in their of the righteousness of the faithful you have called share its good news. for this light that you have history we pads of are eternally grateful, and on we pray your sustaining grace. it is in the strength of your we pray, amen. >> meeting here in this this ful new facility on day of dedication, standing as a representative of the people of the book i can't help but say thank you for this museum. this wonderful to usend how appropriate

that terminology, we call the bible a gift. we think of the gift of soren. dedicated which is to the book which has had such a lasting impact ant world tells imaginative and way the story of the book, of that tells the story of the wanderings of a nomad dick a motley group of slaves who dare to challenge the supreme power of its era. to go against the prevailing notion of the time and to believe in one god. that tells the story of israel's encounter with it is that nd what us. asks of what does the lord require of love mercyjustly, to nd to walk humbly with your god. it's a book of laws, morals, poetry, evenosophy, love poetry, as well as the

imparted by the prophets, exploring us to call in their clarion justice for all. the bible demands of us that we create a world, where all will treated with respect and dignity, for in its opening we're told we're all created in the image of god. people ut the ages, our have studied the bible, pouring over its words and analyzing search of nuance and meaning because it's treated is he word of god and therefore the foundational heritage.xt of our through interpretation, the book comes alive and remains relevant changing. in fact, as soon as we complete the annual cycle of reading the torah, when our holiday begins, reading anew the because we seek to glean from it god's eternal message to us. is told about a rabbi who once was asked why is it

hat when you pray you do it so quickly but when you eat the bible you take your time and it takes so long? rabbi replied, that's because when i pray i'm speaking to god. the prayers of a lot of people to listen to. so i don't want to take up too his time. but when i read the bible, he me, andd is speaking to so i must do it slowly so i can and understand god asks of me. >> there are those who say the and those who say the bible is great, that's why it is holy. regardless, it's clear that it is great and it is holy, for are or words moreages uplifting than love your neighbor as yourself. not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor. shall you stice

pursue. in the beginning, god. brother's keeper? though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death i will evil for you are with me. you shall be holy because i, the holy.our god, am nation shall not lift up sword against nation neither shall anymore.n war there is a time for everything under the heaven. asked a rabbi thousands of years ago, to sum p the essence of torah while standing on one foot and 567 giving a concise answer he said, the rest is commentary. go and study, and so, dear friends, may this be a place over the le from all world will come to study. may people come here to grow and inspired, may we take to heart the words of the prophet come, then the days to mountain of the lord's house shall stand firm above the mountains and tower above the and all the nations should gays upon it with joy. many people shall say come, let

us go up to the mountain of the lord. o the house of the god of jacob, so that he may teach us of his ways, so we may walk in for out of zion shall come forth the law and the word jerusalem. from we pray, may the word of god well.te from this place as we pray, may all who come here grow and be inspired by the messages that and are found in this book, so that not just are proclaimed as great but so that to and women shall strive live by teachings and bring it let their daily lives and us say amen. [amen] please s and gentlemen, barry senate chaplain black. black. [applause] >> praise the lord! paraphrase c.c., i did not

now that no one wanted to follow me after i gave a presentation. my -- moment. i've been a chaplain for 15 years. to have an opportunity some amazing moments. pend time with the dali llama, shake hands with the pope. first one to shake hands with fiat pulled around and he entered the capitol. ffer an invocation at the funeral of ronald reagan and at ford.neral of gerald prayed a prayer when rosa parks was lining in honor in fact rotunda with president george w. bush standing next to and he did not even have a speaking part. -- but this is the walter mitty moment. he museum of the bible is god rewarding me for my faithfulness

on capitol hill. know that's why this building is here. [applause] walking distance from my and it is a museum that celebrates the thing that i'm passionate about in my life. has se the word of god enabled me to live on the cutting edge. the word of god is powerful. 4:12 says, quick, means alive, quick and dead, two edged n any -- dividing ng and bone and marrow and is a thoughts and he the intents of the human heart. it so why the rabbi read slowly. more than you

search it. a treasure for me, i hour a scriptures an day because i love to hear the voice of god reverberating in corridors of my spirit. it is taught me. t's possible to live on the cutting edge. times.acing challenging people start using motor mass es as weapons of destruction, when people de file of sanctity of the house worship with automatic weapons, challenging in times. us, we wrestleind not against flesh and blood, rulers of the darkness of this world, against in high wickedness

places. eephesians says to put on more.ole arm you've got the helmet of val indication, shield of faith, preparation of the gospel of peace. sword of the spirit. nd that's what this museum celebrates. the sword of the spirit which is the word of god. that's that cutting edge again. i discovered that the bible is things. it is powerful. it is convicting. effective. i discovered it was powerful when i was in south america. as i student missionary, and we prison for capital elons, in the jungles of peru and i was seated between two killers. one guy told me, he had murdered

nine members of his family. uncomfortable t worship experience i've ever had. mission was the director, declaring the word of god, and there i was seated them and he must have seen my discomfort because he come and now barry will and sing the hymn of invitation. leaped up and ran to the front, and i started singing, anything of it, just singing. from god red far away home.m coming silence. started coming down to accept my

about 40 e baptized prisoners that very night word of god is powerful. of hen i learned the word god is convicting. when i arrived in college in alabama, i didn't have very much money, and the students were on students.out 1,500 my mother, who had given my a monetary me for knowing the word of god had inoculated me against of challenges, and so the students said this -16 orrible food, acts 24 leaped to mind. i had to ask myself, a boy that's used to eating welfare is this the worst food

had?ave ever no.my conscience said and so, two of 1,500 students picket line. i lost a girlfriend from georgia, because i did that. know is that god was setting things up. that, the faculty got together to select the first student missionary from that school. i did not realize there was a to theholarship attached so who was selected, and through 6 made my way college, because of the convicting power of the word of god. [applause] >> and finally, i learned that effective. god is

confess, senator langford, when i entered the pastoring eight churches simultaneously, my notest fear is that i would be able to baptize anybody. i was depending upon my training to bring about souls coming to the lord. simply i got up and thingsd the word of god, began to happen because, ii god is said the word of rofitable for proof, instruction, and righteousness, that the people of god may be for every equipped good work. i remember waiting to dip, do in my t we tradition, we call it the watery baptism, to dip in the watery grave of baptism, and that inhappened, i knew pite of my ineptitude, this

book was a weapon that would cuttinge to live on the edge. they used to end every television, at the end, go off, they uld ould quote high flight, and i used to think when they would flight, of i thessalonians 4:16, the lord descend from heavy within a heaven with the voice from heavy? >>. flesh.rd made esus of nazareth said in john 35-9, these are they that testify of me.

so one day, i will slip the dance the rth and silvered aughter wings. and join the tumbling mirth of sun pulitzer clouds and do a we have not s dreamed of. wheel and soar high in the sun-lit silence. hovering there, i'll chase the winds along and fling through the uptake. his corruptible, putting on immortality through footless halls, up, along delirious blue.g heightsp the wind swept grace, where even it es flew and what a day will be when on a sea of glass, ionessphere ond the

and can say with the poet, we'll to put out our hands and touch the face of god. god bless you. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, let's innovator, and lifelong student of the word, the president of the museum of the bible, carey summers. i have to follow barry black. i told him several months ago, i again, and do that here i am. being here this morning. it's -- today the museum takes place among one of the newest and brightest stars in galaxy in the mu seal world.

and we're incredibly fortunate it's here in washington, d.c. i've made this statement several times, that the cooperation that was received in washington, d.c. not only the various committees and agencies that district, ithin the but also the federal committees through.ad to work it's one of the most enjoyable experiences we've had. amazing cooperation. sometimes washington, d.c. does it get the accolades that should but i can testify that it was just fantastic. if ews media, print that, you would. we're in this moment right now of dedication. nice to stay in the moment, but just for a a chance to ves us reflect back on the long journey that it's taken to get here. challenges and the boundaries that we've pushed

with this museum. create new partnerships and to build a museum that's unlike any world. in the in fact, one news article said that it may have redefined museums in the future. i'm not sure if that's true or not. but certainly i think there are things that we've done that museums can benefit from and i'll be more than happy to others.at with we also take a moment to thank put this who together. we had an amazing construction theany, clark construction, smith group and the architect firm and the many, many other ontractors that it took to assemble all of this. s we said last night, we said elsewhere, that 5,000 people job, and that was from people who poured the oncrete to the people who are still here holding all the duct we talk.ther as but it's also -- it deals also

all skilled artisans and the people outside. that was another 3,000 people. 8,000 people have touched this. and i would also like to thank, you, many of you have ffered your financial support to make this possible, and the offered their e prayers and invested in the belief. in , i know one church particular, when this property was purchased, started walking around, praying around this property every month, and still today. amazing commitment. and as many of you have similar commitments in other areas with this museum. we're standing on the side of hat was an old refrigerated warehouse for some of you who don't know the history. it was built in 1923. it was the first ice house in washington, d.c. transformed this building

into what you see today. in the years leading up, up to this moment, we've been asked did you undertake this challenge? why did you undertake this building? outside, it has nine different kinds of bricks. historical building, and we us whereeled with the fact, should we take all the over, whichand start really was impossible with the had to tion rules that do with the building but maybe we could take a few down. we started that. you know what?, this is who we are. look at it. it's been here a hundred years. it's composed of different color and today, all eras, it's as strong as it ever was a hundred years ago, and i wow, what a tribute to the bible on what we're trying here. we have all these different faith traditions that have been us, and we hope this building will have that

ind of impact for generations to come, just like the old brick uilding itself did for so many years. and so when people ask why now, your objective with this? it's rather simple. museum to help our guests understand and ppreciate the role of the bible. not only in america, but globally, and that's it. it's to engage people in that bible so they, too, can enjoy nd understand better what this amazing book has done. agenda.no other i truly believe that visiting this museum will be an you ience, no matter who are, no matter what age you are, and no matter what faith background you are. -- immersive i am

experience. the space that we put it in will impact people's ives way, way beyond our own lives. today we're not only opening hope useum, but it's our that we're opening the hearts, visitors to learn the greatest story ever told. the story of the bible through more than utions of in archaeology and more. somebody said what will you your museum?ith it's not our museum. it's your museum. of you to take advantage of that. the worst thing to do is to museum and no one comes. so tell your friends about it it in a way that

hopefully, it's something that you just feel good in. walk around in and just, wow, this feels good, and be.'s what we want it to we want it to be a place that people can sit in a coffee shop, up to our restaurant, pop and one of the exhibits walk away and just feel good. hat's what the bible is all about. thank you. [applause] >> taking its place among the of t monuments and museums washington, d.c. people come from all corners of he globe to experience the richness of history and culture the city offers. place for this museum to be, and the museum is to have been able to work with the gracious and helpful host. please nd gentlemen, welcome the mayor of washington, murier bowser.

>> good morning, everyone. here to hted to be congratulate d to everyone involved on the opening of the museum of the bible. greetings if the 680,000 washington people who will be magnificent this building and museum. i was struck by what the bit ain said a little earlier. he said that he thought that god's gift to him. he was hought as speaking the word of god and everyone who can express it and bring those words alive, like chaplain did so well, is gift to all of us.

again just say how much it is appropriate that in the capitol, where we have soaring museums and monuments, us from people visit around the world, that the bible would be built here. e're experiencing in our city fantastic growth, and part of that growth is international and visitation that goes up and up and up each and every year. go to citiesble to around the world and talk about new destinations and offerings in washington, d.c. look forward to being able to talk about the museum of the well.as visitors to our city come from all walks of life. traditions, and every place in the world. them, to be able to

experience the wonderful journey bible is just a wonderful addition to the washington, d.c. let me congratulate tony zeiss, thank you, carey, for that of work endorsement with the local government. woe appreciate it and we want to the word to everyone that businesses come to washington, d.c., we get things d.c., n washington, working hand-in-hand with all of private and n the philanthropic communities. once again, congratulations. [applause] gentlemen, we're honored to have with us this morning the israeli ambassador states, the d honorable ron dermer. he's been a steadfast champion of thetner to the museum

bible. ron e welcome ambassador dermer. mra [applause] [speaking in hebrew] david danced with all his might david and lord and all the house of israel brought p the arc of the lord with shouts of joy and with the sound shofar. ladies and gentlemen, 3,000 years ago king david celebrated the holy arc, which contained the 10 commandments, was carried into jerusalem. a few centuries earlier, joshua children of israel across the jordan and fought and battles throughout our

promise land. david tould be left to conquer jerusalem. he hoped to make jerusalem between north and that could ital unite the 12 tribes but david knew that jerusalem could not the national and spiritual center of the nation at its core.ible so he brought the arc into rejoiced before it. he placed it at the top of mount mariah, where abraham's happened had been stayed from sacrificing the two temples would later stand for nearly a years.nd when those temples stood, the jewish people made a pilgrimage jerusalem three times a year, to elebrate our holidays, worship god, and to hear the bible read. left the city with

renewed commitment to the values always held ve sacred, and to the moral life that demands. today, nearly 2 1/2 centuries founding, we're athered to celebrate the arrival of the bible in your capital. i do not know if anyone here or blowing a g shofar, but someone should. just as the bible has always been the most prized possession of the jewish people, the bible has always been cherished by the american people. talent figures that are memorialized with monuments in city surely testify to that. president washington proclaimed the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of saidhty god and reportedly that it is impossible to rightly govern the world without god and bible. jefferson said that the bible is

the source of liberty, and that would make men better citizens, better fathers, and husbands. lincoln called the bible the given man and ad advised to take as much of that great book upon reason that you can, and the balance by faith, a that you will live and die better man. and in the greatest speech ever city, a modern day prophet quoted an ancient one, king said that his sacred struggle would not end rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream. nation has honored the bible with more than the words of its greatest leaders. it through its ost sacred values and its highest ideals. as the son of america, i know that all men are

created equal, that this is a ation of laws and not men, and that you welcome in the tired, poor, and huddled masses free.ing to be that's the very essence of america. ideas inscribed in your founding documents and statues your iconic are not merely the values of america. values of the bible. is there a more fundamental than the of equality biblical verse that all are god.ted in the image of is there a more powerful example that no man is above the law the prophet nathan's rebuke of king david? a more profound conception the cial justice than simple biblical commandments to care for the widow and the poor, and the stranger. ladies and gentlemen, it was david wases that king

celebrating when he danced 3,000 years ago. it was those values that long ved my people in our march through a dark exile, and it was those values that gave us strength to turn tragedy into triumph, restore our sovereignty, and rebuild jerusalem. the original d.c. david's capital. let us all rejoice in the bible that's now come to the d.c.t of your true, it is housed in a museum and not a temple. here, too, people will come from across your country and the world to celebrate toidays, to worship god, and discover and rediscover the bible. will leave here with a recommitment to its values and to the moral life that it demands. may the bible continue to

it ect and guide america as is protect -- it has protected and guided people. unite your people as much as it united mine, and may it give his nation the strength to continue to lead the world for generations to come. mra [applause] >> it is our privilege to israeli minister of ourism -- levine, who brings a message of friendship and community from prime minister netanyahu to commemorate the museum's opening and the opening f the israeli antiquities authority artifacts exhibit. please welcome minister levine. [applause] >> good morning. really, what a day. congratulations. it is a great honor to attend

museum of ion of the the bible which will display so much of the richness of the bible. its religious, cultural, and archaeological significance. government of israel is proud to partner with the museum this very important initiative by opening here the only permanent exhibition of the israeli an knick antiquity authority outside israel. all lace where we it actually happened. there is no doubt that visiting enriching the knowledge about the book of its significance to each who visits the land of the bible. privileged to convey to you

our primemessage from minister benjamin netanyahu for very, very special moment. warm riends, i send greetings from jerusalem. of the ded capital jewish people in the state of israel. as you gather to cut the ribbon museum of the bible in washington, d.c. the jewish people are known as he people of the book because centrality of our book. the land of israel is described holy scriptures, stretch back nearly 4,000 years. but it was only 70 years ago after millennial exile, that we were finally able stretch back nearly to reconstitute our nation at home, holy land.

the hebrew spoken on the streets israel today is still -cognized by the same an chant ancient language. this impressive building and the it inating exhibits that contains is a fitting home for of religious artifacts in your remarkable collection. by featuring judaism and other tradition, the museum the history and judeo culture the through the centuries. wish you great success. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please elcome businessman, arthur,

philanthropist -- our vision chairman of the board and president of hobby lobby. gentlemen, steve green. mra [applause] >> take a deep breath. a journey that has been running fast for seven years, and we want to take a moment and stop and celebrate and rejoice true.his dream is coming it's just not my dream. thousands, m of employees, workers, over 50,000 of rs, that is dream millions all over the world that it as as book, that use

guide for their life, and we ust want to take some time and celebrate and dedicate this space to our god. the next many months and years, we anticipate millions of through this facility and celebrating, being inspired to learn more about and to know it better. were to take e some time and have time with each one in this room, if you to spend some time with each person in this room just to discuss your thoughts nd beliefs on this book, you eventually would find differences. room.everyone in this because none of us have this book figured out. we're all on a journey. we will never fully delve the book.s of this that's an amazing part of this book. a moment ando take set our differences aside and say, here's a book that has world, that has

impacted lives, and we want to in this facility here today. to e're honored to have you e a part of being a part of this phenomenal building that book. people to a a book that's had such an effect on the world. it's hard to describe and hard grasp.ly there are people walking the street who have no idea to the degree that this book has life.ted their yet it has. hopefully them come and see that nd they will know that it has had a positive impact on their life in so many different ways. when they leave, hopefully they will be inspired to open it and et engaged with to get to know it better. question. you a have you read your bible today? my job if i doing didn't encourage you to engage with this book yourself. you can download it for free.

ityou have a smartphone, put on your smartphone. a readingle app, pick plan. pick a language. engage with this book. impact in your life as it has my life, our peoples life and so many all over the world. because that's ultimately what we want to do. and st want to encourage inspire and engage, hopefully motivate people to engage with to let it have an life.t on their it's my understanding that i'm the only thing standing between more of the beautiful voice of cici. i'm going to take care of that god bless you. [applause] gentlemen, please great cece the

winans. thank you.u, i'm proud to be a part of everyone who has brought this vision to reality. my prayer is that when people hear about this museum and chance to a experience it, they will fall in love with our heavenly father. this song is a prayer called "let them fall in love."

♪ ♪ if they can't see turn ♪will they ♪ ♪ if they can't hear ♪ how will they learn ♪ touch their eyes bless their lives ♪ this prayer ♪ ♪ hear my cry father let them fall in love with you ♪ please forgive them too ♪ know not what they do ♪ fall in love with

you ♪ ♪ if hearts are cold ♪ how will they know seared ♪nds are they grow ♪ ♪ grant them time to find ♪ ♪ grace through faith ♪ love through christ ♪ father let them fall in love ♪th you ♪ please forgive them too they they know not what do ♪ ♪ let them fall in love with you ♪

fall in love with you ♪ ♪ please forgive them too ♪ for they know not what they do ♪ ♪ let them fall in love with love with you ♪ so father let them fall in with you ♪ ♪ please forgive them too ♪ for they know not what they do ♪ ♪ let them fall in love

in love ♪m fall fall in love with you ♪ [applause] >> please welcome back tony

zeiss. >> wow, cece. sharing that for gift with us. close and i ng to have to give some thanks. if you had anything to do with it. museum, i thank you for you guys are wonderful. i want to thank our stage guests participation, and i want to thank susan davis international and all of her staff. absolutely wonderful in creating and preparing for events this week. yeah, hold your applause because we've got a number to go through. to thank our t staff.ble museum they are wonderful. we 0 short move months started with three. volunteers, o 150 all put together, trained and excited about opening tomorrow to the public. to thank our corporate

staff also for helping us open this extraordinary museum. thanks also to their spouses and amilies who have made many sacrifices to make this day come true including my own wife beth who is sitting right here. you.k you can applaud her. e gave a big shout out to our consulting scholars, our volunteers, our -- we know that e couldn't operate without them. i want to thank again, as carey did, the architects led by the construction group, and thanks to all our exhibit cnc, prd , including group, john martin creative, water tion art and cold media. we must also thank our exhibit or installers and curators who came from all over the world and are partners from all over the to us.ho loaned exhibits we offer a special thank you to urray, brady, hargrave and jim schofield and to the city of

washington, d.c. what a wonderful city this is, its leaders, and its media leader, they museum were so gracious in welcoming us to the district. also thank our 50,000 plus members and growing, if there is a member hint. and donors, in particular, we ppreciate, of course, our largest donor family, that would the e green family, led by david and barbara green. applauserth a round of right there. [applause] i want to thank our corporate board of trustees. i want to thank its chair green his wife jackie. want to thank our c.e.o., carey summers for his visionary focus and his wife also, jackie. all of the ul for vice presidents of the corporation and the leaders and the staff of that entire organization. finally, i give a heartfelt

thanks to my co-chair and all opening events that we put together and worked hard on. -- i want to nda thank her and committee members, shannon bennett and others. let's give them a round of applause. thank you so much. i want you to know that it's not people in the museum that are celebrating this dedication. e had people across the nation celebrating the dedication, and bells urches rang their 11:17 in on commemoration of this grand opening. too.k them, [applause] >> so now, i'll ask the stage party, we're going to have a ribbing cutting at the entrance down on the first floor and then for the rest of you you can join us if want. i don't think there will be enough room for everybody but if ou're hungry like most of us are, i want the people in the

go tor, if you would just the sixth floor, one floor up, to the gathering room, we have a buffet for you, and then for those of you in the overflow, we food tables on, i believe, floors three, four, and five, very ou will find convenient four right out of where you are ♪ net announcer: c-span's washington journal. live it every day with news and policy issues that impact you. being up tomorrow morning, sure to watch c-span's washington journal live at 7:00 a.m. eastern monday morning. join the discussion. >> tonight on c-span, q&a with

heritage foundation distinguished fellow lee edwards, followed by british prime minister theresa may taking questions from members of the house of commons. later, the dedication ceremony for the museum of the bible, which recently opened its doors in washington, d.c. later, the lighting of the white house christmas tree with the president and the first lady. ♪ ♪ announcer: this week on "q&a," heritage foundation distinguished fellow lee edwards. he discusses his memoir "just right: a life in pursuit of liberty." brian: lee edwards, your new book "just right: a life in pursuit of liberty." what do want somebody to take away? lee: i want them to realize that for example, barry goldwater was far more than just somebody who voted against the civil rights act of 1964. that he was, in fact, the most consequential loser in american politics.