under the executive over i signed last week pertaining to the veterans memorial preservation and recognition act and other laws, people who damage or deface federal statues deface federal statues or monuments will get a minimum of 10 years in prison. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: and obviously, that includes our beautiful mount rushmore. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: our people have a great memory. they will never forget the destruction of statues and monuments to george washington, abraham lincoln, ulysses s grant, abolitionists, and many others.

the violent mayhem we have seen in the streets and cities that are run by liberal democrats in every case is the predictable result of years of extreme indoctrination and bias in education, journalism, and other cultural institutions. against every law of society and nature, our children are taught in school to hate their own country and to believe that the men and women who built it were not heroes, but that were villains. the radical view of american history is a web of lies. all perspective is removed. every virtue is obscured. every motive is twisted. every fact is distorted. and every flaw is magnified until the history is purged and the record is disfigured beyond

all recognition. this movement is openly attacking the legacies of every person on mount rushmore. they defiled the memory of washington, jefferson, lincoln, and roosevelt. today, we will set history and history's record straight. [applause] pres. trump: before these figures were immortalized in stone, they were american giant -- american giants in full flesh and blood, gallant men whose intrepid deeds unleashed the greatest leap of human advancement the world has ever known.

tonight, i will tell you, and most importantly, the youth of our nation, the true stories of these great, great men. from head to toe, george washington represented the strength, grace, and dignity of the american people. from a small force of citizen farmers, he created the continental army out of nothing and rallied them to stand against the most powerful military on earth. through eight long years, through the brutal winter at valley forge, through setback after setback on the field of battle, he led those patriots to ultimate triumph. when the army had dwindled to a few thousand men at christmas of 1776, when defeat seemed absolutely certain, he took what

remained of his forces on a daring nighttime crossing of the delaware river. they marched through nine miles of frigid darkness, many without boots on their feet, leaving a trail of blood in the snow. in the morning, they seized victory at trenton after forcing the surrender of the most powerful empire on the planet at yorktown. general washington did not claim power, but simply returned to mount vernon as a private citizen. when called upon again, he presided over the constitutional convention in philadelphia and was unanimously elected our first president. [applause] pres. trump: when he stepped

down after two terms, his former adversary, king george, called him the greatest man of the age. he remains first in our hearts to this day. for as long as americans love this land, we will honor and cherish the father of our country, george washington. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: he will never be removed, abolished, and most of all, he will never be forgotten. [applause] pres. trump: thomas jefferson, the great thomas jefferson, was 33 years old when he traveled north to pennsylvania and brilliantly authored one of the

greatest treasures of human history, the declaration of independence. he also drafted virginia's constitution and conceived and wrote the virginia statute for religious freedom, a model for our cherished first amendment. after serving as the first secretary of state and then vice president, he was elected to the presidency. he ordered american warriors to crush barbary pirates. he doubled the size of our nation with the louisiana purchase. and he sent the famous explorers lewis and clark into the west on a daring expedition to the pacific ocean. he was an architect, an inventor, a diplomat, a scholar,

the founder of one of the world's great universities, and an ardent defender of liberty. americans will forever admire the author of american freedom, thomas jefferson. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: and he too will never, ever, be abandoned by us. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: abraham lincoln, the savior of our union, was a self-taught country lawyer who grew up in a log cabin on the american frontier. the first republican president, he rose to high office from

obscurity, based on a force and clarity of his antislavery convictions. very, very strong convictions. he signed the law that built the transcontinental railroad. he signed the homestead act, given to some incredible scholars as simply defined what ordinary citizens free land to settle anywhere in the american west. and he led the country through the darkest hours of american history, giving every ounce of strength that he had to ensure that government of the people, by the people, and for the people did not perish from this earth. [cheers and applause]

pres. trump: he served as commander-in-chief of the u.s. armed forces during our bloodiest war, the struggle that saved our union and extinguished the evil of slavery. over 600,000 died in that war. more than 20,000 were killed or wounded in a single day at -- single day in antietam. at gettysburg, 157 years ago, the union bravely withstood an assault of nearly 15,000 men and threw back pickets charge. lincoln won the civil war. he issued the emancipation proclamation. he led the passage of the 13th amendment, abolishing slavery for all time. [cheers and applause]

pres. trump: and ultimately, his determination to preserve our nation and our union cost him his life. for as long as we live, americans will uphold and revere the immortal memory of president abraham lincoln. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: theodore roosevelt exemplified the unbridled confidence of our national culture and identity. he saw the towering grandeur of america's mission in the world and he pursued it with overwhelming energy and zeal. as a lieutenant colonel during the spanish-american war, he led the famous rough riders to defeat the enemy at san juan

hill. he cleaned up corruption as police commissioner of new york city, then served as the governor of new york, vice president, and at 42 years old, became the youngest ever president of the united states. [applause] pres. trump: he sent our great new naval fleet around the globe to announce america's arrival as a world power. he gave us many of our national parks, including the grand canyon. he oversaw the construction of the awe-inspiring panama canal. and he is the only person ever awarded both the nobel peace prize and the congressional medal of honor.

he was american freedom personified in full. the american people will never relinquish the bold, beautiful, and untamed spirit of theodore roosevelt. [applause] pres. trump: no movement that seeks to dismantle these treasured american legacies can possibly have a love of america at its heart. can't happen. no person who remains quiet at the destruction of this resplendent heritage can possibly lead us to a better future. the radical ideology attacking our country advances under the banner of social justice. but in truth, it would demolish both justice and society.

it would transform justice into an instrument of division and vengeance, and it would turn our free and inclusive society into a place of repression, domination, and exclusion. they want to silence us, but we will not be silenced. [cheers and applause] [chanting "usa"] >> we love you! pres. trump: thank you, thank you very much.

thank you very much. >> build the wall! pres. trump: we will state the truth in full without apology. we declare that the united states of america is the most just and exceptional nation ever to exist on earth. we are proud of the fact that our country was founded on judeo-christian principles. and we understand that these values have dramatically advanced the cause of peace and justice throughout the world. we know that the american family is the bedrock of american life. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: we recognize the solemn right and moral duty of every nation to secure its borders. [cheers and applause]

pres. trump: and we are building the wall. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: we remember that governments exist to protect the safety and happiness of their own people. a nation must care for its own citizens first. we must take care of america first. it's time. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: we believe in equal opportunity, equal justice, and equal treatment for citizens of every race, background, religion and creed. every child of every color, born and unborn, is made in the holy image of god. [cheers and applause]

pres. trump: we want free and open debate, not speech codes and cancel culture. we embrace tolerance, not prejudice. we support the courageous men and women of law enforcement. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: we will never abolish our police or our great second amendment, which gives us the right to keep and bear arms. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: we believe that our children should be taught to love their country, honor their history, and respect our great american flag. [cheers and applause]

pres. trump: we stand tall. we stand proud. and we only kneel to almighty god. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: this is who we are. this is what we believe. and these are the values that will guide us as we strive to build an even better and greater future. those who seek to erase our heritage want americans to forget our pride and our great dignity so that we can no longer understand ourselves or america's great destiny. in toppling the heroes of 1776, they seek to dissolve the bonds of love and loyalty that we feel for country and that we feel for

each other. their goal is not a better america. their goal is to end america. [crowd booing] pres. trump: in its place, they want power for themselves. but just as patriots did in centuries past, the american people will stand in their way. and we will win and win quickly and with great dignity. [applause] pres. trump: we will never let them rip america's heroes from our monuments or from our hearts. by tearing down washington and jefferson, these radicals would tear down the very heritage for which men gave their lives to win the civil war. they would erase the memory that inspired those soldiers to go to their deaths, singing these

words of the battle hymn of the republic as he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free while god is marching on. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: they would tear down the principles that propelled the abolition of slavery and ultimately around the world, ending an evil institution that had plagued humanity for thousands and thousands of years. our opponents would tear apart the very documents that martin luther king used to express his dream and the ideas that were the foundation of the righteous movement for civil rights. they would tear down the belief,

-- the beliefs, culture, and identity that made america the most vibrant and tolerant society in the history of the earth. my fellow americans, it is time to speak up loudly and strongly and powerfully and defend the integrity of our country. [cheers and applause] [chanting "usa!"] pres. trump: it is time for our politicians to summon the bravery and determination of our american ancestors. it is time.

it is time to plant our flag and to protect the greatest of this nation for citizens of every race, in every city, and every part of this glorious land. for the sake of our honor, for the sake of our children, for the sake of our union, we must protect and preserve our history, our heritage, and our great heroes. here tonight before the eyes of our forefathers, americans declare again, as we did 244 years ago, that we will not be tyrannized. we will not be demeaned. and we will not be intimidated by bad, evil people. it will not happen. [cheers and applause]

[chanting "usa!"] pres. trump: we will proclaim the ideals of the declaration of independence and we will never surrender the spirit and the courage and the cause of july 4, 1776. upon this ground, we will stand firm and unwavering. in the face of lies meant to divide us, demoralize us and diminish us, we will show that the story of america unites us, inspires us, includes us all, and makes everyone free. we must demand that our children are taught once again to see

america, as did reverend martin luther king, when he said that the founders signed a promissory note to every future generation. dr. king saw that the mission of justice required us to fully embrace our founding ideals. those ideals are so important to us. the founding ideals. he called on his fellow citizens not to rip down their heritage, but to live up to their heritage. [applause] pres. trump: above all, our children from every community must be taught that to be american is to inherit the spirit of the most adventurous and confident people ever to walk the face of the earth. americans are the people who

pursued our manifest destiny across the ocean into the uncharted wilderness, over the tallest mountains, and then into the skies, and even into the stars. we are the country of andrew jackson, ulysses s grant, and frederick douglass. we are the land of while bill hickok and -- while bill hook hickock andbill buffalo bill cody. we are the nation that gave rise to the wright brothers, the tuskegee airmen, harriet tubman, clara barton, jesse owens, george patton, general george patton. the great louis armstrong, alan shepard, elvis presley, and muhammad ali.

and only america could have produced them all. no other place. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: we are the culture that put up the hoover dam, laid down the highways, sculpted the skyline of manhattan. we are the people who dreamed a spectacular dream. it was called las vegas in the nevada desert. who built up miami from the florida marsh and who carved our heroes into the face of mount rushmore. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: americans harnessed electricity, split the atom, and

gave the world the telephone and the internet. we settled the wild west, won two world wars, landed american astronauts on the moon, and one day very soon we will plant our flag on mars. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: we gave the world the poetry of walt whitman, the stories of mark twain, the songs of irving berlin. the voice of ella fitzgerald, the style of frank sinatra, the comedy of bob hope, the power of the saturn 5 rocket, the toughness of the ford f150 --

[applause] and the awesome might of the american aircraft carriers. [applause] americans must never lose sight of this miraculous story. we should never lose sight of it. nobody has ever done it like we have done it. so today, under the authority vested in me as president of the united states -- [cheers and applause] pres. trump: i am announcing the creation of a new monument to the giants of our past. i am signing an executive order to establish the national guard of american heroes, a vast outdoor park that will feature the statues of the greatest americans to ever live. [cheers and applause]

pres. trump: from this night and from this magnificent place, let us go forward, united in our purpose, and rededicated in our resolve. we will raise the next generation of american patriots. we will write the next thrilling chapter of the american adventure. and we will teach our children to know that they live in a land of legends, that nothing can stop them, and that no one can hold them down. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: they will know that in america, you can do anything, you can be anything, and together, we can achieve

anything. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: uplifted by the titans of mount rushmore, we will find unity that no one expected. we will make strides that no one thought possible. this country will be everything that our citizens have hoped for for so many years and that our enemies fear, because we will never forget that the american freedom exists for american greatness. and that's what we have, american greatness. [cheers and applause] pres. trump: centuries from now, our legacy will be the cities we built, the champions we forged, the good that we did, and the

monuments we created to inspire us all. my fellow citizens, america's destiny is in our sights. america's heroes are embedded in our hearts. america's future is in our hands. and ladies and gentlemen, the best is yet to come. [cheers and applause] [chanting "usa!"] pres. trump: this has been a great honor for the first lady and myself to be with you. i love your state. i love this country.

i'd like to wish everybody a very happy fourth of july. to all, god bless you. god bless your families. god bless our great military. and god bless america. thank you very much. [applause] ♪ colors on the street red, white, and blue people shuffling their feet people sleeping in their shoes there's a lot of people saying we'd be better off dead

keep on rocking in the free world keep on rocking in the free world ♪ ♪ announcer: ladies and gentlemen, and americans of all ages, welcome to south dakota's mount rushmore fireworks celebration. over the decades, mount rushmore national memorial has grown in fame as a symbol of america, a symbol of freedom and hope for people from all cultures and backgrounds. tonight, we celebrate our nation's birthday with family and friends across this great land. and now, look to the sky, high above mount rushmore, as we proudly present a pyro musical

production, "the spirit of america." ♪ ♪ >> the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly

considered as deeply, perhaps has finally stopped on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the american people. ♪ >> we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. ♪ >> the great fundamental issue now before our people. [indiscernible]

i believe they are. ♪ >> that this nation, under god, shall have a new birth of freedom. and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. ♪ >> ♪ glory, glory, hallelujah

♪ >> in the words of john adams, independence day will be the most memorable in history. it will be celebrated with pomp and parade, bells, bonfires, and elimination that set of -- illumination. that set off our great land. as a proud reminder of the greatness of our country and her people, this kind of celebration could only take place in a land of the free and the home of the brave. america, let's celebrate. ♪ >> ♪ everywhere around the world they coming to america got a dream to take them there they're coming to america they coming to america today today

hey! my country, 'tis of thee sweet land of liberty of thee i sing of thee i sing today ♪ ♪ >> ♪ today today ♪ [applause] ♪ >> ♪ one kid dreams of fame and fortune one kid can't pay their rent.

only in america dreaming in red white and blue only in america only in america where we dream in red, white, and blue ♪ ♪ my daddy served in the army had a flag in the yard until the day that he died he wanted my mother, my brother, my sister and me to grow up and live happy in the land of the free now this nation i love has fallen under attack a sucker punch came flying from somewhere in the back soon as we can see clearly

through our big black eye man, we lit up your world like the fourth of july put your name at the top of his list and the statue of liberty started shaking her first and the eagle will fly and it's going to be hell when freedom starts ringing her bell and it feels like the whole wide world is raining down on you brought to you courtesy of the red, white, and blue of my red, white, and blue ♪ ♪

>> ♪ the sound of long island to the san francisco bay everything in between them is my home we may have done a little bit of finding amongst ourselves but you outside people best leave us alone because we'll all stick together and you can take that to the bank that's the cowboys and the hippies and rebels and yanks you comply your hand on a pittsburgh steelers fan but i think you're gonna finally understand and you never would think it would happen again you never did think we would ever get together again

we are walking real proud and talking real loud again ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> ♪ i'm so glad we're living in the usa yes, we're so glad we're living in the usa

anything you want, we've got it right here in the usa ♪ we're so glad we're so glad ♪ ♪ ow! ♪ living in america living in america wait a minute living in america living in america so nice with your bad self living in america

i feel good! ♪ ♪ >> ♪ if tomorrow all the things were gone i'd worked for all my life and i had to start again with just my children and my wife i'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today because the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away and i'm proud to be an american where at least i know i'm free and i won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me

and i'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today cause there ain't no doubt i love this land god bless the usa! ♪ ♪ >> the spirit of america continues as we pay tribute to our nation's true superheroes. we salute the brave men and women of our armed services, who are defending our freedoms around the world so that we can celebrate our independence in this great land we call america. we also recognize all of our health care workers and first responders. thank you for keeping us all safe. ♪

>> ♪ i'm a new day rising -- i'mnd-new sky ahead, a brand new sky to hang the stars upon tonight ♪ i, i'm a little divided >> do i stay or run away and leave it all behind? ♪ >> ♪ i... it's times like these you learn to live again it's time like these you give and give again. it's times like these you learn to love again ♪

it's times like these, time and time again. it's times like these you learn to live again ♪ it's times like these you learn to love again ♪ ♪ >> ♪ god bless america land that i love stand behind her and guide her through the night with the light from above from the mountains to the prairies two the oceans -- to the oceans white with foam

god bless america my home sweet home god bless america my home sweet home ♪ ♪ >> ♪ come on ♪ >> ♪ america >> ♪ america how i love you america ♪

>> how i love you america ♪ >> what have i got? >> with brotherhood >> oh, with brotherhood >> ♪ from sea to shining sea >> shining sea ♪ >> ♪ i want to thank you lord >> ♪ yeah! ♪ ♪

♪

>> to close out tonight's show, the united states air force ymndemy band playing the h for the republic. ♪

>> ♪ my eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord with his terrible swift sword his truth is marching on ♪

♪ glory, glory hallelujah hallelujahy glory, glory hallelujah his truth is marching on ♪

>> ♪ in the beauty of the lilies, christ was born across the sea oh, with a glory in his bosom

that transfigures you and me as he died to make men holy, let us live to make men free while god is marching on glory, glory, hallelujah! glory, glory, hallelujah! glory, glory, hallelujah! his truth is marching on

his truth is marching on hallelujah! ♪ [cheers and applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending tonight's event. please remain seated for the departure of the official party. ♪

announcer: president trump will -- trump and the first lady participate in another event. it will be on c-span, online at c-span.org, or listen live on the free c-span radio app. ♪

>> c-span has unfiltered coverage of congress, the white house, the supreme court, and public policy events. you can watch all of c-span's public affairs programming on television, online, or listen on ever free radio app, and be part of our national conversation through c-span's daily washington journal program or through our social media feed. c-span, created by america's creative television companies as america's public service, and brought to you today by your television provider. ♪ >> and this week on the communicators, we're pleased to be joined by jonathan smelter, the president and ceo of u.s. telecom. our guest reporter is katzer kresge of the washington coast. if you could begin by reminding us what u.s. telecom is and who you represent. >> thank you very much, peter.

it's great to be here. i represent the future of connectivity. the members of u.s. telecom other broadcom to the -- companies that are about building the networks of the future to all americans. we have large national providers like at&t and verizon and centurylink, wonderful regional providers like consolidated, frontier, and windstream, alaska communications. but we also represent a number of our smallest providers serving our rural communities across the country, and we're proud to know around our table, some of the most innovative global technology enterprises, like cisco and ericsson are also part of our effort to really raise the bar when it comes to this important technology, which is broadband. peter: give us a snapshot of the last couple of months for your member companies.

>> well, it's been forever member companies for millions of folks in the workforce, as for every single person around the s of anxietyess, times and time to get to work. emergency,al health our workforce ran to the danger. ofare part of the frontline responders who continue to work hard to deliver broadband service, to so many of our fellow citizens. broadbandd to see the has been stood -- has been standing tall and working well.

by mid april the traffic was above 30% of the normal baseline. but still our internet has continued to sustain and thrive and do its work. years ofuse of the serious investment in innovation that has gone into the networks. is powerful network globally. these really smart policies encourage our investment in innovation, a great cocktail for success. us explore some of those issues that you're facing,

cats kresge of the washington post. >> thanks for having me. about some ask you of the inequalities this moment also exposed. as schools and workplaces shift online, it puts more of a spotlight on the digital divides. to address those accessibility gaps in some inner cities, and rural areas, what's best do you think -- what steps do washington lawmakers need to take? >> it's such a timely question. even as we had huge success with promising broadband every part of our nation, there still behind. americans living in rural communities. taking that challenge very seriously.

to closer companies that divide. hard given the vast distances of rural areas. you really have to string broadband underground across mountain ranges, across vast spans of distance with there simply is no distant case to deliver our self despite what we are investing. usneed congress to work with to strengthen public-private partnership, commitment universal service provided adequate sources. to put the broadband and for structure debate behind us. i think we can do it. the digital information we been

able to experience in the last couple months, we can't immune -- imagine future where any american will be connected to the internet. we need to do it now and if not now, when. pc you can imagine future every american does have access. do you think -- wonder of this technology. agree that this technology should be considered a utility. after all, there is tremendous competition across the country for broadband services. consumers of a vast array of choices but only in terms of providers but in terms of the technology.

just in the generation, that's gone into creative the remarkable technology. to wrap it in the red tape of bureaucracyhurch in that would be required if we are to make it a utility would take us backwards, not forwards. 1996, ation ago, bipartisan consensus almost unanimously decided that we treating howeyond technology is a regulated monopoly and it stoke the engine of competition. touchipartisan light framework gave us the internet that has taken us to unimaginable heights and has served us so well. these ideological political rabbit holes we want

to do by making our internet and other utility like water or electric services would not take us forward, it would take us backwards and that won't benefit our nation. students and parents. liquid experiencing out of 5g. categorizingo to as utility. you've also culture public-private partnership. how do you see that? >> there has been an ongoing public private partnership. the initial policy goal. call the universal service. the universal service fund, a

component like lifeline and ee rate. wellhave worked there very to expand the ability of broadband to serve americans. we are on the cusp of moving forward. rural digital opportunity fund. off in a descending auction. that will limit services. homes by this fund and moving forward. in the longer term we need is a national compact to understand millions ofhe americans who still don't have

live --d because they the distance a live from broadband service, it will require serious attention by congress. we need congress finally to invest and put political capital on table the will get the job done finally providing the resources to allow the digital divide to be in the rearview mirror resignation so we can move forward as a truly connected nation understanding and realizing the benefits of universal service for all. >> can you attach a dollar figure to that amount? modelinghas been some we are working hard trying to establish what resources will be required. in the events legislation for congress. $100 billion. take some's gonna

serious work. in the context of the broader ,nvestment you need to make what said to be in the area of $1 trillion. of universal service for all toricans to allow everybody realize the benefits of the digital transformation. figures it's adequate to the task. we are going to work with congress to do that evaluation. this shifting gears a little bit, i want to ask about the keep americans connected pledge which many companies signed on to to keep americans online either they weren't able to pay their bills through the end of june during the pandemic. the chairman has called on

companies to extend that through july, how long can telecom broadband companies continue to offer that forgiveness to customers who might be having financial difficulties now. >> stood up, stood tall and stood quickly. to not only embrace the commitments, the voluntary commitments. above that pledge of both resins or enterprise. this important technology. company's at&t and verizon and centurylink to do everything possible impacted by the national health emergency.

our small providers, rural providers press the country come in? which ising hotspots in the rural communities. the country and their service area. rerouting sources that had been in local schools making those available. students that have access to broadband and continue their education. these have been seen across the country and that continues. hadvalue our companies have and continue to have to work with our customers through thick and thin. to keep from the customers first and foremost.

needs to ensure they can maintain. it's not as easy. our companies are committed to , some of the companies ourselves. feeling the financial challenges. that is probably caused so many of our trends across the country. that, doing whatever they can to commit to their customers. bet it will continue to helping all of us. how long can the companies commit to continuing that without perhaps additional funding from the federal government given those constraints just laid out? >> it's an individual question depending on the scale and size

and resources of the many hundreds of companies that have committed to this pledge. there can have to evaluate that based on the specific services. all of our companies are going to do what they can. challenges to continue services. many have been working across the aisle with members of congress and and statetion authorities to see what can be done to apply additional resources. our customers in communities that are in need. is congress has already taken steps with the cares act to provide innovative programs that have been quickly set up $200 million to support

telemedicine. in record time, billions of dollars to the debarment of education to subordination schools. there are short-term needs and long-term needs. making sure americans can stay connected. regardless of where they live will be connected in the future. >> about what the year next looks -- next year looks like in the united states. based on what you seen over the last few months, what steps do you think your member companies need to take to make sure they are prepared for the next full year or perhaps telemedicine or flu season in the winter months.

hope it will not be, that we are able to put the health emergency behind his quickly. our broadband network and resources are part of that solution. our networks were designed for demand. amounting to over $1.7 trillion got to a point where they can't -- we have the capacity network. telemedicine needs to be met, at the same time we can be home and communicate and watch hulu shows and its extraordinary to see this innovative community come broadband providers have come

through in this national time and continue to come throw. back and seeo look this was a moment of technology we can look back at with pride. in a sense of a compliment of what's been done. >> just to extrapolate a little education been successful? in terms of critiques as there have been some critiques, accountability and whether it's truly something that works. >> i have four distance learners in my home. tonow there are challenges the virtualized world of classrooms. caregivers who have had learners at home had to stay and become teachers themselves.

schools,nts and broadbands are, our resources. it's allowing students to go online. of the 10 largest countries in , the u.s. showed the least speed degradation. that's a testament to smart policies. that will allow us to continue to zoom in by distance. confident that will continue. you see a democratic administration this year as a threat to an open and free , i.e. wouldetwork net neutrality come back and apply? -- into play?

>> the dna of american innovation policy has always been based on a bipartisan vision and if we could take a light touch, a restrained approach to ensuring our internet could grow and flourish and internet providers can compete with each other, americans will be served. walk ther companies talk when it comes to wanting to maintain open internet and transparent internet. whether a republican administration returns were democrat administration returns, that framework for policies bipartisan approach must remain the same if we are going to continue to benefit from the open and free internet we have. skeptics,en a lot of a lot of ideologues who introduced discussion rather than focusing on important

--ues like whether we should it goes down these rabbit holes a debate and discussion on these issues. continues to be open. atwe continue to invest extraordinary levels, we continue to all benefit from the thatnet and i'm confident a wise administration believes in the future of progress in our internet will understand this framework will continue. >> even though you have a background in democratic politics, usia associate director, speechwriter for al gore, etc., has the trump administration been a proponent of the issues you care about in telecommunications? beeney have and they've

just the senate and the congress come the administration has been advocating for extending broadband for all. but this is not the province of only -- this is not the only -- not the perspective of only the administration. it's a bipartisan perspective. i've been so encouraged and optimistic to see my democratic colleagues and republican , ineagues across the aisle our congress and statehouses all joined around some fundamental principles to adhere to. we have to take seriously our task of investing in broadband. divideg the digital regardless of where you live. encouraged by the progress we've seen.

i'm hopeful that progress will continue to keep pace. the -- ofindful maintaining this that has always been a hallmark of success with policy and will continue to be. >> on that same line of questioning, looking ahead to the 2020 election, are you concerned a potential democratic administration could result in greater antitrust scrutiny of the telecom industry? >> i'm not an expert in antitrust law. are very strong and serious tools our nation has to advance our antitrust interests which we should take very seriously, not just our body of antitrust law, but all of our attorneys general, our judicial system.

we have very strong tools to ensure competition is robust and meaningful. i do know is all of our companies, all of our broadband equally faithful in ensuring we all adhere in the strictest terms to making sure we are competing. and we want to have more competition, we want to see policies that will help us that will encourage more competition our space. the adequate tools our government needs to have to fend off efforts by any of our companies to behave in ways that would be anticompetitive. but also policies will encourage with make more investments

more and better services and better speeds. here, the future of our networks don't -- that future is very bright. it --l continue to ill innovate. we can't even begin to imagine what's to come. with sound antitrust infrastructure, our ability to helpful thatery the future will be bright, competitive and americans will be well served by this phenomenal technology. suggestedmocrats have antitrust laws may need to be updated to take a look at some of the tech platforms like facebook, google, etc.. do you think it's time for an update to those laws and there

should be greater antitrust scrutiny of those companies? that doesn't surprise me we have a reevaluation of where internet sector has been going. place aws were put into generation ago. many companies are now serving billions of people with trillions of dollars of market .apitalization there's been massive transformation of our internet marketplace, there has been incredible amounts of innovation in underlying networks that have been supported the new services and tools and platforms they use those to advance their businesses. it doesn't surprise me one bit that are congress and courts would want to take a fresh look at her internet society and economy and where competition is

going. we will be watching those discussions. we will also continue to do our future ofilding the connectivity and hopefully in finally connecting all americans everywhere. >> this is probably a little bit out of your wheelhouse, but do you have an opinion on section 230, whether needs to be revised and whether or not conservatives are being shut out on social media? that's another one of the ones. 1996 itself medications act, at the time was created it was created to incentivize the growth of companies that at

times were providing -- companiesme of the that exist now or trillion dollar enterprises. it's logical congress would seek to reevaluate what were inducements and incentives on subsidies. it should be reevaluated. that that watching involves very complex legal questions including in the future of our fused -- of our first amendment and the freedom of speech. attentivelytching as those debates evolve. we will do our work in supporting and upgrading our networks to ensure whatever decisions are made and keep track of the information in the content those companies provide will continue to get you where you need to go.

issues regarding content , is noton are complex her job or business. we will be watching with interest as these take place. ceoonathan is president and of u.s. telecom. cat covers telecom issues for the washington post. thanks for being on the communicators. >> thank you very much. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2020] ♪ >> c-span has unfiltered coverage of congress come of the white house and public-policy events. you can watch all of c-span's programming on television, online or visit on our free radio app. -- listen on our free radio app. and be in the conversation through washington journal.

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day on our live call-in program, washington journal. if you missed any of the live coverage, watch anytime on demand at c-span.org or on the go with the c-span radio app. >> presumptive 2020 democratic presidential nominee joe biden spoke with teachers and education officials yesterday about reopening schools in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. he also talked about his plan to boost federal support for public schools, hosted by the national education association, this is about 40 minutes. cheers and applause] >> thank you. good afternoon, everyone. i'm jill biden's husband, joe biden. and lily thanks for bringing us

together and for the energy and leadership you brought to this indispensable organization. you know, you all head up a union, an organization that is -- holds the future of the country in your hands. and what determines to our children determines what happens to this nation. they're our children. they lift our national ambition aa lot of. and you have them in your hands. and your members are lucky to have you. and i'm absolutely certain of that because i happen to be as i said neither one of you members. jill and i are truly honored to have your support and i mean that from the bottom of my heart. replace betsy devos and the opportunity to trust -- to make a whole lot of progress together because i'm confident -- i'm absolutely confident we can win.

this is going to be a teacher oriented department of education. and it's not going to come from the top down. it's going to come are the teachers up. i know there are a number of issues. but the immediate challenge is the continual spread of the coronavirus and what it means for the upcoming school year. look, we saw this challenge coming. i've been calling for the president since late january. donald trump failed to take any action on testing, contact tracing, creating responsible standards, everything we need to do to get this under control and to get educators and students back in the classroom. and you understood what was needed. frankly, we've always understood. back in 2009 when i was overseaing the implementation of the recovery act in the face of the worst financial crisis in american history, with knew we

-- we knew we had to stand up for educators. it was almost an $84 billion program that had to get throughout within the matter of 16 -- probably 18 months. fraud, less than .2 of 1%. here's what it did. to llocated $60 billion local school districts. 400,000 education jobs. we knew it had to be done in the face of the crisis. and the federal government understood that every state has -- requires to balance their budget. localities have to balance the budget. there's a reason why the federal government can't deal with crisis like this. and this time around trump tried to provide support failed -- tried to support educators. trump failed to do it. trump and local government and

the state and local government were facing huge short false. speaker pelosi, a real leader in the house of representatives did their job. they got something done called the heroes act $950 billion for state and local governments. trump refused to do the job. this is about people. so i'm making sure educator's salary don't get cut and educators don't get fired. we could have kept every educator employed. but instead we lost 900,000 education jobs due to budget cuts. this is absolutely unacceptable. we're already short the number of teachers we need nationally before this crisis. last month, i put out a plan to reopen safely and sustainably including for our public schools. i require steps like one insuring the schools have funding for physical like

plexiglas to maximize social distancing, all the things that scientists tell us we need to do. and we need the federal government to give local governments clear guidance. finallyer we need to prevent further exacerbating inequities system.ducation with broadband and other technologies so they can participate in learning. you know, there's probably a higher probability that we'll need to continue to rely on remote learning and parts of the country for a while longer. and we see, and all of you know that the student's access to technology can cost kids up to a year of learning we need to get this done now. we've been arguing for a while it's only just a part because once we get ahead of this pandemic, we're going to have an unprecedented opportunity to

make progress. you need to make sure that you and your students get treated with dignity that you deserve. my education plan is tripling the funding, one of the first things that just districts are senior to do is insure higher learning education money. higher salaries for educators. that money would eliminate the $23 billion annual gap between majority white and nonwhite districts. it's one of the single best instruments and investments that we can address to address systemic inequality. in addition to getting the raise that you deserve, we're going to get you the resources that you need. we're going to double the numbers with social workers in school. mental health is an enormous issue. and the need is only getting exacerbated by this pandemic on both educators as well as students. there's a whole lot more in my plan. 're going to fix universal

-year-olds.ll 3 the bottom line here is when we win this election, we're going to get the support you need and the respect you deserve. you don't just have a partner in the white house. you'll have another member in the white house. if i don't listen i'm going to get a report in the lincoln bedroom -- we're absolutely totally committed to make so much more progress. there's so much to talk about. i know you have questions. i wish i could talk longer about how passionate i feel about some of these things. up and r would say hush i'll be happy to take some of your questions. >> well, we really appreciate you being here. it's an honor to have you here vice president biden >> you're the best. >> aren't i, though? >> you really are. >> yes, thank you so much. yeah, i know.

i know. i wasn't arguing with you. so here -- [laughter] here is you know that you have received our support in the primary that is almost over. and that part of our process now is for you to make your case to the 8,000 -- almost 8,000 delegates that are watching you right now. and one of the things that you asked is to listen to some of the questions from our members who asked them, i really appreciate you wanting that. i could is it here and i could read them to you. but we took you up on that. we found some delegates who had asked some of the most frequently asked questions that came to us. we said go up. what do you want to hear from joe biden? and so we're going to do that because we had 88 members throughout the country who had the opportunity to submit those questions online.

and of the thousands, these are the delegates that were selected. so let's go now to turquoise parker in durham, north carolina. turquoise is a k-5 media specialist. turquoise, you may now ask your question to vice president biden turquoise. >> hello, president lily and vice president biden my name is turquoise legume parker. i'm a media coordinator. but self-given title is racial and social justice teacher. this upcoming year will be my 10th year teaching. we should have had the folks bre ona taylor killed to be charged years ago. but you are curriculum affirms and further the aforementioned. i call my students not students

because i believe in their intelligence and their strengthed a their beauty. and i need them to believe in themselves because our world does not make them feel that way. abolitionist is teaching my duty. it's my duty to structure a curriculum that help thruse all kinds of issues such as police brutality, how to fight it. and how they can come to terms with the possibility that they might be the next victim of white supremacy at absolutely no fault of their own. teaching in the resistance is incredibly hard work but we have to do it because we need our kids to know that they are absolutely a part of this movement to smash white supremacy. so vice president biden, here's my question for you. you talk a lot about fighting if the soul of this nation. but how will you work with others to change this system that has benefited corrupt souls from day one?

vice president biden: i've been doing this my whole career that's how i got involved. this has to be a wake-up call for the country. take action. you know, it's past time to do that. inequities, onomic our nation can do that with so many people. it starts off as you do because i spend a lot of time working with young people. but never taught young people. and you know, the first thing is to treat them with respect, treat them with dignity. tell them about keep holding their head up high. not only then, but -- reminding them that they can do anything at all, anything at all except for -- i'm going to fight every day for the changes that i've referenced. but i'm also going to listen. i laid out the initial process so they can lead to take on real

police reform for all cops to higher standards. so many know now. you know, one of the things you heard and those young students you may have in that circumstance, they find out they have a mom or dad treated unfairly or maybe even fairly but incarcerated. and when they get out of school, what happens when they get out of prison? what happens? they're treated as if they're still in prison. not like it is punishment. no one should go to jail for drugs. for the abuse of go rehab yourself. rehabilitating them. we need to do than just reform the police department. we need to address the inequities.

after taking care of education, our economy and our healthcare. i'm going to fight the deadly healthcare issues including covid-19 by expanding the care. so they don't see your parent's family and can't go for a test because we can't afford it. well, i'm really feeling suck, but i'm afraid if i go it's going to -- for fastest universal scare expand obamacare and a detailed way to do it. i'm going to double the funding for health centers. on the vital front lines. making all testing and treatment vaccine for anyone -- and the ight to give every child -- i really want to know this because in all the universities have come up with so many starting new websites. you've got 40% of a child's brain is developed by time

they're 3. providing universal pre-k increases 58% the chance of them doing well all the way through school. tripling title one funding to close that gap between the rich and the poor. making public comments free for ery family earning less than $125,000 a year. propose we get $75 billion through hbc because they don't ave the kind of funding to compete the government contracts. we will provide stimulus money to small businesses. you all know better than i do. but i know pretty darn well that a community -- community particularly poor community, in that community they

have the local hardware store, the local drugstore, the local supermarket. but what's happening now is under this unfair recovery that trump is running, they're not doing what they -- what they want them to do. provide small business money for those with fewer businesses. so they can stay open. they're not getting the lones. they should be getting it. in this small inclusive community and that it generates self-awareness, generates community. you know, and these are big things. but if everybody was saying it's time for big change now, we have to make this at least an action to reverse systemic racism with long overdue concrete change. but we can do it. --ause one thing, we reached

and that is that, you know, ere are inflection points in american history where something happens and big changes occur. what's happening now in this covid virus and so many people affected by it. so many people unnecessarily died because of it because all of a sudden people are realizing, oh, my god, who has been carrying us on our back? essential workers. workers.he essential overwhelmingly black, latino. 5, $6,ey're getting paid $ $7 an hour. they're the ones that we're not able to stay home. they've been carrying us on their back. i think the public is ready. it's like they've had their

blinders taken off. but oh, my god, this really happened? it's really this way? and i think i've met -- i've pent time with the ford family -- floyd family. i can't breathe. i can't breathe. mama. ama. what happened was, the whole world saw it and they just didn't hear it. they saw it. they saw it. they saw his face smashed up against the curve. they saw him holding there for a eight minutes and 26 seconds. they saw it. and they said oh, my god. we're going to change it. we're going change it in a big way. last thing i'll say, as a kid, i used to stutter a lot.

someone who has been a victim of systemic racism. but i tell you one thing don't do, don't ever talk down to these kids. d they tell me -- i'm sorry, don't finish my sentence. these kids are capable of doing anything anybody else can do. let's not dumb it down. they're incredibly capable. that's why i want to make sure that in those schools they have hese placement course as well. children tend to turn out to be what you expect of them. let's show them the love and respect, and -- and the support. you've got to give their parents .ore economic power a lot more emotional support.

we can do this. thank you for you. >> thank you. , for quoice for that important question. we got that from a lot of delegates. and thank you for representing the -- the importance of lifting that up. and thank you vice president biden our next question comes from one of our education support professionals in michigan. vice president biden, you know that we are teachers, we are support professionals, we are college staff, and faculty, and so this is one of what we call esp's, education support professionals. you know, she has firsthand experience dealing with our very unqualified secretary of education betsy devos. i would like to introduce you to

paula mcconnell who is a para professional in the utica school district. paula, you now have the ear of the vice president. what would you like to ask? >> thank you, president milly. good afternoon, vice president biden my name is paula mcconnell. i am from mchome county in the great lake state of michigan. i've been a para educator for over 30 years in utica community schools. in the midst of this pandemic, we as educators have some concerns. want president trump -- see that president trump pushing through you the immediate opening of schools and the highly unqualify betsy devos either has nothing to say or is giving scarce public school hours to private education and

we face an economic crisis to puts en funding which educators at risk. vice president biden, i would like to know what you have to say to educators and parents who are so desperate for leadership on these issues but find none with the presented a ministration. vice president biden: you know, to parra phrase teddy roosevelt. he said the american people can handle bad news, but you have to give it to them straight. that has never been more important than it is now. this. ns have seen it's come time to get his act together to beat this virus. but he squandered that sacrifice and it's all about him. think about it. he thinks the presidency is about him.

it doesn't have a damn thing to do about him. it's about you. it's about the american people. first of all, it would be nice to have a president to tell the truth occasionally. we'll do the work. but who's going to lead? we need a plan. i've outlined the key steps for reopening safely including by opening childcare and schools reopen. parents have to be able to trust their kids are safe when they're able to go back to work when that occurs. one of the most important steps to reopening the entire economy. educators make tremendous sacrifices. they've done the hard work to make the shift of online earning. it's not the educator's fault because they come from poor families and because many places don't have -- but the longer the school closed the classes are remote, the more

students especially low income students and students of color fall behind. i would possibly lies the federal government to take the step one, provide for schools to reopen. make sure states and districts have the funding to keep educators on the job in the idst of this crisis. boost federal funding to cover the cost of p.p.e., redesign classroomsings all the things schools are going to need to do to reopen and open with normality. scale research and how covid affects children. help understand how the virus affects children and create evidence-based guidance. build a safer school best practice clearinghouse. and to help school and school boards and children and childcare providers all across the country and around the world to share information approaches and pause for reopening. work with childcare providers. union, community and families on how to reopen safely. the bottom line is we are not 50

different nations in the united states and territories, beyond that territories. we are -- we are one nation. one nation. nd we act and -- and the way the president tries to turn this into all some kind of racial contest about, i think it just -- it's -- it's immoral. we have to have a clear message based on science, based on what the experts tell us. and based on the circumstances that we allow to make sure we get the input and the people who are in the field, in the classroom, in the buildings dealing with the problem. look, even when you get there, we figure out how to test and trace which doesn't exist very much in the country, how about a

president that says, you know, stop the testing, it's showing too many people have it? stop the testing? you're doing too much. he said slow it down. what in god's -- this is not about him. this is about the safety and security of our people. and parents including teachers are not going to be able to go back to work until they're sure and one souln come who is 1-3 years old are able to be taken care safely. we can do it. the public is ready to pay for it. it will increase productive any this country. it will increase salary and increase the benefits of the whole country. >> thank you you so much. thank you, paula. and thank you, vice president biden we have one you more question for you.

our final educator comes from enola, pennsylvania just outside of harrisburg. we picked pennsylvania just for you and not because our vice president becky bringle is standing over here making noise. yes. all right. all right. settle down. settle down. settle down. settle down. settle down. good grief. becky bringle, i know you know becky, but she lived in harrisburg for a long, long time. jimbo lamb, apparently your good friend, i did not know that is a high school math teacher. jimbo, you are on with vice president biden what is your question? >> thank you madam president and hello, vice president biden >> hey, jimbo. >> i'm a teacher in the southern region of the pennsylvania education association for 17

years. i appreciate you providing time for me to ask this question and for listening to educators. today, we're more divided than we have been at any time in my lifetime whether it is about racial justice, wearing masks or simply a person's right. as educators, we teach our students to be respectful, kind and to work with others. but our leaders fail to model this behavior. so here's my question, as president, what will you do to hear the voices of all americans not just those that support your agenda? -- i'm a mbo, i pennsylvania guy who married a philly girl. and i was just out in harrisburg. i as -- anyway, look, when started the campaign over a year ago and i announced. i said one of the things we have to do is unite the country and i got clobbered by everyone

running for president, the democrats. they said you can't unite the country. i tell you what, if we can't unite the country, we're in deep, deep, deep, deep trouble. this is the most important election of our lifetime. not because i'm on it because four more years of donald trump will ruin the character of this nation. and the character of our country is literally on the ballot. lives an livelihoods as well. i think we're facing a serious threat. we have to meet it as one country. this president gives us no direction. and puts us against one another. you can't go on like this in the nation. half are wearing masks. half of the plan. half just hoping for the best. this country is crying out for leadership and for healing. that's part of a president's job to lead, to listen and to heal. and to listen to everyone.

it's too personal and too ugly. it weakness us. it distracts us. it divides us. it's not who we are. and i refuse to accept our nation is permanently divided. it is not. principals must never be compromised. but compromise is not a dirty word. it's how our government was designed to work. i've done it my whole life. and so i'll do this as president. but there are two reasons, jim, i decided to run this time. you know, if every -- if the perfect president -- if she or he requires to have 10 great attributes, i've not met one that has more than six. but all the attributes that you have may not be appropriate for that in history. there are two things i've done very well at. one, no one has doubted my word. i've been able to bring democrats and republicans in the

united states congress for the past decades to deal with big issues. there's a reason for that, jimbo. i never questioned whether a man or woman's motives. i question their judgment but not their motives. when i first got elected in 1972, i was only 29 years old. so i had to wait. my birthday didn't come until 17 days after the election. i was in washington. on december 18. now, i got a phone call from a first responder who said, i felt so badly for him in retrospect. he said you've got to come home. there's been an accident. what happened? and the poor kid just blurted out, your wife is dead. your daughter's dead and your two boys may not make it. my wife and my daughter was 18 months old. my son almost 3. the other one almost 4.

they were christmas shopping. the tree was on top of the car. they were broadsided by a tractor-trailer and they were killed. the two boys made it. so what happened was i decide i didn't want to be united states senator. and my brother jimbo, -- when i was a kid we called him jimbo. his name is james. well, jimbo is five and a half years younger. raised all our money, the kiddie campaign we had. but the state could always get another senator. my kids couldn't get another dad. senators ppened was and they said you've got to run. you've got to be sworn in. and in retrospect, they saved my sanity. just stayed for six months. just stayed for six months. i'll never forget, the senator

saying, only 1702 people have been sworn into the senate. your wife worked so hard to get you elected. you owe it to your family. so i was supposed to go sworn in. i decided not to go. well, the next day, i was in the hospital with my son, and they sent up the sex e secretary of the senate who swore me into the -- sent up the secretary of the senate who swore me in the hospital. one of the things i had to do was i had to meet with majority the r at 2:00 depending on week on tuesday afternoon. and i get an assignment from the leader, mike mass from montana. i thought all senators got assignments. no senators get assignments. matter of fact i'm the first senator i ever knew i didn't know any better. took me about five, six weeks, to take me pulse to the see how i was emotionally.

so we walk in. just before 2:00, walked down from below the senate. walked out there, there were no eaders and i had my meeting. the next thing that happens is i walk in the door, and two friends of mine, one became a great friend and still is bob dofmente and the other was teddy kennedy. they introduced the disabilities act. and a particular senator got elected who didn't have much of a heart i thought. -- on the floor just saying there's no requirement that taxpayers should have to pay for lives on the buses.

but i had to go off and have my meeting. had to is it across the desk what's the matter, joe? and i then went off to the story saying there was no social redeeming value, no heart, etc., etc. >> joe, what would you say if i told you that senator and his wife were sitting in your home in december 1970? this is now may of 1973. 1970. and he was a young man in our statewide newspaper. hat's him embracing me under his arm with two steel crutches. . he looked out and said all i want from christmas is for someone to love me and take me home. i said what would you say that i

adopted that young man? i've learned something. he said over my years -- he said it's always property the question of a man or woman. but you don't know what it is. and once you question your motive you can never do that. if i say your in the pock of or thised a that and by the way let's have an education bill, you're not going to work with me. so i've been successful bringing people together. they don't question motive. to ther areas their going inherit a world of in disawry. my whole career it's been on national security. and that's what it is now. and the reason i'm running that's why i think, you know, i'm not flying. many republican senators or council members would tell you -- i think there's a lot we can

agree on. with trump out of the way, that's some of the problems out there. particularly problems in education. that are tough now. that's why i can get so much done. look -- we always have a tremendous opportunity to peel back. we can't afford to open our doors and our ears and our hearts. i've got to make sure that we need nobody out. they need each of us to do that in our country. let me ask you something. when is the last time you thanked somebody? , you said last time

thank you? did you you go to him or her and say thank you. when is the last time you looked at each other and said, can i help you? t happen one person at a time. you challenge others. tried it with my mom and you walk a mile. we can disagree, but we don't have to be disagreeable. it's how together we can do this. but we have to treat concluding comment, my dad used to always say, joey, everybody -- everybody deserves a second chance. be treated s to with dignity. everybody deserves to be treated

with dignity. thank you. >> thank you. and thank you, jimbo for that question. thank you, paula and turquoise, delegates. we want to thank our fellow delegates who were able to channel those questions that came in. nd we have so much more. but we needed to hear from you, vice president biden, about what you would bring to this, and we thank you for spending this time with us. before you go, we want to give you just a few minutes. if you want to make any final comments if you ask these delegates for their support. >> thank you. i've been arguing a long time because i've been listening to my wife. by the way, my deceased wife was a teacher as well. education should be put more in the hands of educators.

we should have more input on what you teach, how you teach it, and when you teach it. you are the ones in the class rooms. you should have more input. and i really mean this, not i'm not just trying to be nice. you are and you need that more. so first of all, this is going to be a much more teacher centric education system. the vast majority of money comes from the state. but the portion of federal you're going to have a major say on what it's spent and where it's spent. next e next thing i want to say one all is that -- i am -- angeredat really always me is the way educated people when you're walking in a reception line and someone says

and what do you do besides teach -- i go, oh, ok. what do you do? oh, i teach. tell me about what you teach. or i have a start-up company. or i'm in sales with such and such. you are and i'm not joking about this you are the most important profession in the united states. give them ones that confidence. you let them believe in themselves. >> you were going that. and i promise you you will never ind an american president with who is more teacher centric and more supportive than me.

joe, any time without educators are going to outcompete fuss. it's time we raised the game to make you the managers. thank you all for having me. and i appreciate everything you've done for me. i really do. >> thank you you so much vice president joe bind. the pack recommendations to become the next president of the united states. the decision will be made by mail-in ballot. it is possible to do mail ballots in a very good way. yes, it is. we are going to do that. it will come to the home of these almost 8,000 delegates and we will be counting those at the -- in august. and so vice president biden, it's been an honor to have you in our house today. god bless and be safe. well, if ient biden:

-- [cheers and applause] >> siegemund's washington journal, every day, we are taking your calls live on the air on the news of the day and discussing policy issues that impact you. coming up this morning, the white house historical discusses how the white house have celebrated the fourth of july throughout history. watch c-span's washington journal live at 7:00 eastern this morning and be sure to join the discussion with your phone calls, facebook comments, text messages, and tweets. >> the presidents, from public affairs. available now in paperback and e-book. presents biographies of every

president organized by the ranking by noted historians from and features, perspectives into the lives of our nation's chief executives and leadership styles. visit our website, c-span.org/the presidents to learn more about each president and historian feature. order your copy today wherever books and e-books are sold. president trump spoke at south dakota during the fourth of july celebration there, announcing an executive order to create a new national park featuring statues of what he called the greatest americans. this is an hour and 45 minutes. >> ladies and gentlemen, the president of the united states, donald j. trump, and first lady, melania trump. [applause] ♪

chief"] of "hail to the ♪ >> please rise for about the playing of "the national anthem." >> o say can you see, by the dawn's early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming; whose broad stripes and bright

stars, through the perilous fight, o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? ♪ and the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there: o, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? ♪ [applause] and the home of the brave ♪

>> good evening, everyone. i'm a u.h. 60 pilot with the south dakota national guard charlie company first of the 189 regiment. my wife cayla and i would like to welcome you to south dakota. we proudly serve our state and the nation. whether at home or overseas we stand ready to support the citizens of south dakota and the united states. thank you for your continued support of our armed forces. we hope you enjoy the festivities tonight.