tom donahue helped me connect two things for it when i left the marine corps, i served as the head of enlisted and simons. -- had enlisted assignments. it seems to me that if we are seeing this problem in our society and you have ceo's hiring veterans, you might as well addressed the two. it has been a successful program because this is not about washington talk. the chambermaid a mistake in hiring a marine to do this because this is all that action on the ground. it is not going to happen in washington. it is nice that we meet and talk about this but if you looked around the room and saw everyone raise their hand, most of you have served and get the issue and most of you understand why it is a good business proposition to hire a veteran. this will happen in the local communities. if we're going to have an impact -- if you talk to 95% of the kids to leave the service, they have no idea what they're going to do next. they talk about where they are going. if we're going to solve this problem, it will require it moved across the country where companies like wal-mart, companies like fedex

here's from the tom donahue, president, ceo of chamber of comers -- donahue says that would create a cht republicans agree. that's their counter proposal to you. >> number one, this president absolutely agrees that we can do better. this country can do better on regulatory reform and he has cut regulations and has regulatory reform. but whether you support doing more of that or not, it is simply just a political statement to suggest that serious economists believe that that is a plan to inject greater demand into our economy to get job growth growing. this is not a time for political statements. i know that every single year fore ever, the chamber of commerce would like to have less regular laces. but this is serious, wolf. people are projecting that we will only grow at 1.8% next year. this is a time for serious people to put forward serious plans that independent economists who don't have a political stake in the outcome will suggest could increase growth by 1 to 2% or jobs by 1 to 2 million jobs. as the president said, why should we even take a small risk? any risk of having a dou

tom donahue of the chamber of commerce praised mr. bryson's -- quote -- "extensive knowledge of the private sector and years of experience successfully running a major company" -- unquote. the business round table called mr. bryson -- quote -- "a proven, well-respected executive who brings his private-sector experience to the commerce department's broad portfolio, that includes technology, trade, intellectual property and exports which will be crucial to expanding our economy and creating jobs." the natural resources defense council, which mr. bryson helped found in the 1970's called him -- quote -- "a visionary leader in promoting a clean environment and a strong economy. he has compiled an exemplary record in business that underscores the strong linkage between economic and environmental progress." unquote. i would also like to ask unanimous consent to place into the record an editorial from "the los angeles times" titled "commerce department nominee deserves the job." may i do that? the presiding officer: without objection. mrs. bo

think i can make my remarks in a couple of minutes but i want to thank you for being here and thank tom donahue who i've known for a long time, chamber and my friend, dolph lumbered who works at the chamber in a very high position job and a lot of people in this audience used to work with me in the senate and the house and nobody here worked with me in the kansas house, that was 1951, but you know, i've had a great experience in politics and it was all by accident because we had a democratic library and named beth bowers who passed away about four years ago who was telling me the more young people to get involved in politics and she talked into running for the state legislature and i got elected, i didn't know much about politics. i think pact was right i didn't know what party to belong to until looked at the registration numbers and was a great experience and i really enjoy it. i think the only law that was passed we got a law passed that gave disabled veterans preference in parking where they could park in certain spots to make easier for them to go to the story and all of that. so, not a ve

chamber of commerce president tom donahue endorsed the idea, saying this -- "a national infrastructureank is a great place to start securing the funding we need to increase our mobility, create jobs and enhance our global competitiveness." so pieces of this bill have been supported by the chamber. pieces of this bill have been supported by my republican colleagues. in fak, the major provisions of this bill have been supported on a bipartisan basis. there are other great ideas in this bill as well such as an extension of the bonus depreciation which would allow businesses to continue to immediately write off the cost of investments in new property and equipment. i have to say this was the one thing, mr. president, when i met with our small businesses over the last few years this was the one thing they kept mentioning that this was very helpful for them and would create an incentive for them to invest in equipment. this bill also includes a returning heroes hiring tax credit for veterans which would provide a tax credit up to $9,600 to encourage companies to hire unemployed veterans. at

november 3, tom brokaw will talk about politics as well as his book. november 22, patrick donahue will be here to talk about the troubles that are affecting the postal service and the solutions they would like to enact. harvey, we always give a parting gift. believe it or not, this gift is a first of its kind. we are aware of the sort of branding you have on york show. typically we give a coffee mug, but we are aware you do not use a coffee mug. this travel mug is for you. [applause] >> i will use this on the show. >> we think it will be a great launching point for your next publication or website to have the national press club travel mug. we are glad to have you here today, harvey. it has been an interesting question and answer session. we are going to ask a final question. is there one particular celebrity from the past you would have liked to have covered or gotten to know yourself? either currently alive or from the past -- a top of the heap celebrity. >> the person i wish i would have gotten to know and the person i wish i could have done something with it is steve jobs. i t