desk did not have henry clay carved in there by henry clay. but you will see famous names on many of the desks that go back to when that started -- when that custom started in the early part of the 20th century. >> when the senate works at its best? >> well, the senate is a place of -- the senate works at its best when there's unlimited debate and no rules. it's hard to understand, in the united states senate, if a bill is called up you can offer any kind of amendment to that bill. it has unlimited debate unless 60 senators want to end the debate. we are a free flowing and slow moving legislative body. in fact washington was reported to have been asked as he presided over the constitutional convention. what do you think the senate is going to be like? and i'm told that washington replied it's going be like a saucer under a teacup. the tea is going to slosh out of the cup in the saucer and cool off. in other words, it was sort of going to be the brakes in the american legislative process. the house they anticipated would be a place of great pas

what is it about henry clay that interests you and you think about him sometimes. >> henry clay was kentucky's most famous statesman. ran for president three times. never made it. he said he'd rather be right than president. he didn't say that before he was trying to be president. he was a great compromiser. involve in new states whether they would be free or slaves which kicked off a great debate in congress over slavery. he somehow managed to reconcile the differences and 30 years later, in 1850 toward the end of his life, he died two years later. the krofrp mize of 1850 upon which i did my senior thesis in college. and that was yet another admission of new states, whether they would be slaves or free. he was widely credited over those years as trying to figure a way, the country to expand and still be a union. even though clay was a slave holder, as many in kentucky were he was for union first. had he lived to the civil war, my guess is me would have been a union guy. and in kentucky, we had brother against brother. we never seceded. but we're torn in the civil war, some went north, some we

henry clay would never have

henry clay didn't like me would. as americans is to talk about it's henry clay's idea. john quincy adams supported early some of the policies but they see the way the country needs to develop similarly. for personal and political and policy regions -- reasons they are a natural fit. he becomes president. so from the beginning before it even takes office, this is a tainted presidency. jackson got more votes than he did. jackson was a much more popular bigger than he was. look what he did. whether or not it ever happened, look what he did. taint was part of what the administration had to deal with from the beginning. john quincy adams wasn't a good idea with this, i should say also. it's worth noting will think of american politics, two-party system. at this time goes by the two-party system. there was only one party, the federalists had shot themselves in it of the war of 1812 the there was only one become the national republicans. it was beginning to so fissures within the it but there was really only one party at this point. while john quincy adams is president, the op

the night he meet with henry clay there's a page and a half that is blank. now, historians speculated forever, well, clearly we all know what this means. but i actually think you have to step become from this a little bit. doesn't matter whether or not there was an explicit quid pro quo, henry clay would have never supported andrew jackson. he had been making speeches for the previous five years this julius cesar he will rob our republic. william crawford was a front runter but suffered a debilitating stroke during the presidential race and henry clay didn't like him anyway and this american system i talked about, it's henry clay's idea. john quincy adams supports it early, supports some policies, but they see the way the country needs to develop similarly. so, for personal and political and policy reasons they're a natural fit on this. so they make the deal or don't make the deal but he becomes president. so, from the beginning, before he even takeses of, this is a tainted presidency. jackson got more votes than he did. jackson was a much more popular figur

henry clay ford, john c. calhoun stood here in this foot of mississippi full of and thomas hart benton of missouri. he ripped open his coat and senator met the assassin, fired. here the eccentric virginia senator john randolph brought his hunting dogs into the chamber and the dashing texas senator sam houston sat here and sat at the desk. and here seated at his desk in the back row, massachusetts senator charles thurman beaten violently over the head with a cane wielded by representative preston booths of south carolina who objected to sumner's strongly abolitionist speeches and sumner had heaped upon brooks' uncle with the governor of south carolina. because our british cousin ss chose to set fire to the capitol in the war of 1812, congress was forced to move into the patent office building in downtown washington and late into a building known as the brick house located on the present site of the supreme court building. the incident was december of 1819 before the senators were able to return to the restored

this room, daniel webster--he moved about the chamber from time to time--daniel webster orated, henry clay forged compromises, and john c. calhoun stood on principle. here, henry foote of mississippi pulled a pistol on thomas hart benton of missouri. senator benton ripped open his coat, and said, "let the assassin fire!" and, "stand out of the way." here the eccentric virginia senator john randolph brought his hunting dogs into the chamber, and the dashing texas senator, sam houston, sat over here to my right; he sat at his desk whittling wooden hearts for ladies in the gallery. seated at his desk in the back row massachusetts senator charles sumner was beaten violently over the head with a cane wielded by representative preston brooks of south carolina, who objected to sumner's strongly abolitionist speeches and the vituperation that sumner had heaped upon brooks' uncle, senator butler of south carolina. the senate first met here in 1810, but, because our british cousins chose to set fire to the capitol during the war of 1812 congress was forced to move into the patent office building in

below is a bust of henry clay. each of these senators and each of these kentuckians came from a different political party. each viewed view the world through different ideological lens but all of them believed in the senate and all of them left behind important lessons for today. clay about putting country the country first in pursuing principled compromise. cooper about choosing when to make a stand and making it and berkeley barkley about having the courage to think differently than a president from the same party he served dutifully for years. lessons like those at go into the presence and they help mark the way toward a better functioning government. a senate and the congress that functions again will help move us pass an arab government in crisis. it doesn't mean everything will be perfect. it doesn't mean we will never come up against a deadline and it doesn't mean we will always agree but together we can commit to change in the way washington operates. this can be done. it can be done. the senate has seemed

. >> henry clay was kentucky's most famous statesman.e ran for president three times, never made it. after which he declared he would rather be right than president. he didn't say that earlier in his life while he was still trying to be president. many people felt clay was the great compromiser. he had been involved in a compromise in 1820 that involved an admission of new states and whether they would be slave or free, which kicked off a great debate here in congress over slavery. he somehow managed to reconcile the differences. 30 years later, toward the end of his life, it was the compromise of 1850 upon which i did my senior thesis in college. >> compromise. any difference in mitch mcconnell's ability to compromise versus harry reid? >> that is the big question. i think he is in a very difficult spot. this is going to test his political skill. it is going to be 46 democrats. he needs a six democrats to pass any legislation. he has to balances competing interests, which is not just conservatives running for president, but blue state r

and i should, in the interest of full disclosure just mention that my book on henry clay is coming out next year. [laughter] >> i have so many things to ask you, but our audience takes precedence, so i'll turn to some of our audience questions mr. unger. we have a question, can you talk about john marshall's leadership? how was he able to build consensus so well on the court? do you think that can be done on the modern court? >> well i think it could be done on the modern court but i really don't know. you know all of us have known a friend or someone at work who has this knack of people just gather around him or her. they're able to win friends -- remember this book "how to win friends and influence people." some people have that gift. john marshall, obviously had that gift. it's interesting, the executive editor of my publisher robert pigeon, is in the audience, and he and i were discussing this at lunch, that we really -- except for the letters -- we really don't know how what language they used in conversing with each other. >> for one thing, they spent a great deal more time toget

not just of the great compromiser, henry clay, he also talks about alben barkley, who pushed back againstsevelt and presidential power. and democrat mike mansfield, known for crafting a professional, active senate. speaking recently to public television affiliate ket in kentucky, mcconnell explained what he takes from these men: get things done. >> if you can't figure a way to bring people together to reach some kind of compromise to advance the interests of country you can't accomplish anything at all. >> reporter: let's stop there a second. we hear the word a lot, but "compromise" is mostly a theory right now. what exactly is mcconnell's plan to get there? today, in his first address as leader, mcconnell said he wants to reopen vigorous senate debate. >> we need to open up the legislative process in a way that allows more amendments from both sides. sometimes, it's going to be meaning working late. but restoring the senate is the right thing to do. >> reporter: lott says the keys to mcconnell are determination and tenacity. >> mitch has a really good sense for timing ande will wait unti

who said i don't like henry clay. he's a bad man, an imposter, a creator of wicked schemes. i wouldn't speak to him. but by god, i love him. it's almost impossible to explain that statement to most people, but most senators understand it instinctively and perfectly. here are some 28 words is the secret to leading the united states senate. the most profound appreciation and respect is the genius and the glory of this institution. very often, the course of my 18 years in the senate and especially in the last eight years as republican leader and then majority leader, i found myself engaged in fire breathing passionate debate with my fellow senators over the great issues of the times. but no sooner had the final word been spoken and the last vote taken than i would usually walk to the desk of my most recent antagonist, extend a hand of friendship, and solicit his support on the next issue for the following day. people may think we're crazy when we do that. or perhaps they think our debates are fraudulent to begin with, if we can put our passion aside so quickly and embrace our a

he said, "i don't like henry clay. he is a bad man, an imposter, a creator of wicked schemes. i wouldn't speak to him. but by god, i love him." it is almost impossible to explain that statement to most people, but most senators understand it instinctively and perfectly. here, in those 28 words, is the secret of leading the united states senate. here, in the jangle of insults redeemed at the end by the most profound appreciation and respect, is the genius and the glory of this institution. very often in the course of my 18 years in the senate, and especially in the last eight years as republican leader and then majority leader, i found myself engaged in fire-breathing, passionate debate with my fellow senators over the great issues of the times, civil rights, vietnam environmental protection watergate, the panama canal, tax cuts, defense spending, the middle east, relations with the soviet union, and dozens more. but no sooner had the final word been spoken and the last vote taken than i would usually walk to the desk of my most recent antagonist, extend a hand of friendship, a

brian lamb at the stand that to me on friday a phrase __ henry clay always preferred the house to the senate, although he served in both. he said the house is more vital, more dynamic. this is what was written __ often there is no distinct man in the room, its members are all obscure. they're mostly village lawyers, or even persons belonging to lower class of society. if you put women in with men, i do not know that we have change much. the word holder had a very particular meeting __ a meeting that the world would do well to society. he was an aristocrat, he lived in a world of kings and princes. the folks who come here come here by the one single act that their citizens freely chosen. i do not care what your ethnic background, your ideology, whether you are younger or older, whether you were born in america or you are naturalized citizen, every one of the 435 people have equal standing because they are citizens. their voice should be heard and they have a right to participate. it is the most marvelous act of a complex giant country trying to argue and talk. and conservatives, but am

i've been reading a biography of henry clay. he always preferred the house over the senate, although he served them both. he says the house is more vital more dynamic, more common. "often there is not a distinguished man in the whole number. its members are all up secure individuals whose names bring no associations to mind. they are mostly village lawyers men in trade, or even persons belonging to the lower classes of society." now if you put women in with men , i do not know that we have changed much. but that word had a very particular meaning and it is a meaning that we would do well to study. did tocqueville lived in a world of kings and princes, and the people who come here, come here by the one single act that their citizens freely chose them. and i don't care what your ethnic crowd, what your ideology, i don't care whether you are younger or older, i do not care if you were born in america or are a naturalized citizen. everyone has an equal standing because their citizens freely sent them and therefore should be heard an

brian lamb at sea spwrb span wrote to me friday a phrase that was so central to the house henry claylways preferred the house. he was the first strong speaker. he preferred the house to the senate, although he served them both. he said the house was more vital more active, more dynamic and more common. this is what he wrote, "often there is not a distinguished man in the whole number. its members are almost all obscure individuals whose names bring no associations to mind. they are mostly village lawyers, men in trade or even persons belonging to the lower classes of society. now if you put women in with men, i don't know that we have changed much. but the word vug gar had a very particular meaning and it's a meaning the world would do well to study in this room. you see, he was an arist row carat, he lived in a world of kings and princes. the folks who come here come here by the one single act that their citizens freely chose them and i don't care what your ethnic background whether you're younger or older, i don't care whether you were born in america or you are a naturalized citiz

henry clay always preferred the house. he was the first on speaker and he preferred the house to the senate although he served in both. he said the house is more vital and dynamic and comment. " often, there's not a distinguished man in the whole number. its members are almost all obscure individuals whose names bring no associations to mind. they are mostly village lawyers men in trade, or even persons along into the lower classes of society. ." if you put women in with men, i don't know that it we would change much but the word volcker in that time had a particular meaning. it is a meaning the world would do well to study in this room. you see ,de tocqueville was an aristocrat who lived in a world of princes and kings and the folks who come here come here by the one single act that they are -- that their citizens freely chosen and i don't care what your ethnic background or ideology is or whether you are younger or older, i don't care whether you were born in america or you are a naturalized citizen -- every one of the 4

moses shepherd allegedly used his influence was senator henry clay to have the bridge built close to there home. it is still in heavy use. unfortunately covered in concrete now but it still is the oldest bridge in west virginia still in continuous use. the 3rd and most famous bridge is our developed a willing suspension bridge which is just of up main street on 10th street. this particular is one of the oldest if not the oldest photographs taken from above the bridge near 10th street. you can see it here. during the 1852 flood. the entire island. and this is a famous photograph. the suspension bridge a competition to design it featuring mr. broadway. actually prevailed on the bridge was opened in 1849. during its early history the city of pittsburgh to not like the bridge because they claimed it interfered with river traffic, it was too low, so they filed the suit. eventually they prevailed. restored by mr. l. it would lower their section of the whistles rights-of-way. very unpopular. it is a beautiful a beautiful piece of work. was really an engineering marvel. still all markable a

allegedly using his influence with senator henry clay to have it though close to their home. it is still in how to use it is unfortunately covering concrete now so you can see the original stonework. it is still the oldest bridge in west virginia stone continuous use. the third and most famous bridge is our beloved wheeling suspension bridge, which is just as main street on 10th street. this particular type is one of the oldest is not the oldest photographs of wheeling taken from above the bridge near 10th street. you can see the bridge here. during the 1852 flood. the entire island was plagued by floods pretty much annually during this period. this is a very famous photograph. you can see it in numerous books and as i said possibly the oldest photograph of wheeling. there was a competition to design an featuring mr. roebling who eventually built the brooklyn bridge and charles elliott junior, a designer who actually prevailed in the bridge was opened in 1849. now during its early history the city of pittsburgh did not like the bridge because they claimed it interfered with r

on the wall are portraits that keep watch, below a bust of henry clay. each of these senators, each of these kentuckians, came from a different political party. each view the world through different ideological lenses. all of them believed in the senate. all of them left behind important lessons for today. clay about putting country first and pursuing principled compromise. cooper, about choosing when to make a stand and making it. berkeley, about having the courage to think differently than the same political party and served dutifully for years. lessons like those, mr. president, echo into the president. they lead towards a better functioning government. a senate and a congress that functions again, will help us move past an era of government in crisis. it does not mean everything will be perfect. it does not mean we will never come up against the deadline. it does not mean that we will always a great. together, we can commit to changing the way washington operates. this can be done. it can be done. the senate has seemed imperfect at moments, but it ha

henry clay decided to have a comprehensive solution to america's problems at that time and so he put together a package that dealt with the fugitive slave act the texas and mexico border california stated interior for other things. when it failed way took his tuberculosis off to rhode island to take the sea breezes and stephen a. douglas shopping this up into four or five pieces of legislation which he did. there were 60 senators when he started in 62 when he finished because california senators arrived. all pieces of the compromise were passed separately and only four senators voted for all the pieces. surely we can do the same thing with immigration understanding there are three basic questions before us. one is border security. the other is the needs of the american workforce and the third is what to do with the 11 to 12 million illegals who are here. with regard to border security i simply note that a border there is precious little empirical evidence that a substantial number of immigrants are coming here for the purpose of being on welfare. i think immigration is inherently an

or senators henry clay and daniel webster in 1850. provocatively and passionately making the case for the preservation of the union and of slavery. are those homes where it has been the people who have done the talking. women using their voice to demand the right to vote. african-americans speaking out to insist on equality. citizens declaring their opposition to war. young people giving voice to their experiences of inequality. you see, to be together in a democracy is to commit to deliberation, it's key to decision making. in order for our actions to be legitimate, we must first talk. we must talk about difficult issues. we must talk to people whom we deeply dislike and who we fundamentally disagree. we have to talk even when it seems pointless and boring and maddening and even self defeating, we need to talk. and as we enter the final two years of the obama presidency two years when he'll a face congress more powerfully entrenched against him. two years where both parties will commit substantial time and resources in their request

on the wall are portraits of john thomas cooper and keeping watch from below is the bust of henry clay. each of these senators, each of these kentuckians, came kentuckians, came from a different political party and viewed the world from a different lens. all left behind important lessons for today. play about putting country first and pursuing principled compromise cooper about choosing when to make a stand and making it. and bar clay about having the courage to think different than a present from the same political party whom he had served beautifully for years. those lessons echo into the present and help function toward a better functioning government a senate and a function -- a senate and congress again will help move us forward. it does not mean we will never come up against the deadline and always agree but together we can commit to changing the way washington operates. this can be done. it can be done. the senate has proven imperfect at times times, but it is a place our country has come together to create challenges that once seemed out of reach. the civil rights act many beli

henry clay decided to have a comprehensive solution to a america's sexual problems at that time. so we put together a package that dealt with the fugitive slave act the texas mexico border california statehood and three or four other things. when it failed clay took his tuberculosis off to rhode island and chopped it up into four or five pieces of legislation which he did. there were 60 senators when they started, 62 when he finished because the california senators arrived. all pieces of the compromise were passed separately and only four senators voted for all the pieces. surely we can do the same thing with immigration understanding there are three basic questions before us. one is border security. the other is the needs of the american workforce and a third is what to do with the 11 to 12 million illegals who are here. with regard to border security is simply not that a border security spending quadruple in the 90s tripled in the next decade and now has all the stuff in here that got nevada admitted as a border state. it seems to me we are unlikely to have and i'm sure michael

but wendell ford also understood that compromise is, in henry clay's words negotiated hurt. so wendell ford tried whenever possible to work out disagreements behind the scenes, away from the cameras where senators could bend and still keep their dignity. in 1991, wendell's quiet bipartisan style convinced the senator from across the aisle mark hatfield of oregon, to join him in sponsoring the motor voter bill. working together, this democrat and this republican senator convinced the entire senate it was time to pass this landmark bill. to this day the motor voter bill remains the most ambitious effort congress has made since the voting rights act of 1965 to open up the voting booth to more americans. wendell ford distinguished himself in the senate as a determined foe of government waste and duplication and champion of campaign finance reform. his raspy voice was unmistakable and his good humor and wise counsel were indispensable to some of the most important debates. he will be missed. i know our entire senate sends our condolences to senator ford's wife jean and all of his

spent just a short time in these halls, he demonstrated that it is only through compromise -- the henry clay way -- that we can achieve solutions to the best interests of the nation. so, mr. president, let me tell my fellow retirees what a privilege it's been to serve with you over the years and how grateful i am for your commitment to public service and to the american people. now, mr. president, i want to make a few brief remarks, share a few thoughts and express my halt felt thanks to a number of individuals -- heartfelt thanks to a number of individuals who have made my life in the senate a little bit easier and a little bit more enjoyable than it would otherwise have been. i have been privileged to serve in this body since december 28, 1974. as i look back, it is am madeing -- it is amazing how much progress we have made as a country during that period. the average life expectancy in this country has increased by four years. the average per capita income after adjusting for inflation has risen 40% during this time period. the portion of adults with at least a high school diploma has ris