also live today, president obama will award the presidential medal of freedom to 19 recipients at the white house. that is the nation's highest civilian honor. recipients will be tom live coverage from the white house starts at 2:15 p.m. eastern on c-span. p.m., a discussion about jihadist movements and the increase in violence in afghanistan, syria, and iraq. 8:00, a seriest of interviews with retiring members of congress. and carolynpetri mccarthy. we have a lot of talented younger members. it's not just mrs.

think she's been a great leader. she is really good at raising money, that's not one of my fortes. i was never good at that. they have to start training younger people and bring it younger people into the caucus. they need to become the future leaders. one of the things that i believe then with all my heart and soul is you have to know when to leave. nancy does not feel was the time to leave. stay forght she might this coming year. she could turn the reins over to somebody else. is anybody around, ready to replace her? it's a hard job. i give her a lot of credit for what she has been able to do. i think it's time that the leaders start looking at who is

going to fill my spot? we are all replaceable. younger people need to take our spots with fresh ideas and new ways of doing things. i see nothing wrong with that. that's progression. that's a normal progression. >> you can watch the full interview and are conversation with tom petri at 8:00 eastern on c-span. iran over theith nuclear program will be extended beyond today's deadline. his will reconvene in december at an undetermined location. they have made good progress been inn kerry has negotiations in the end with other world powers trying to reach a deal. reports that the

negotiations will be extended seven months. marion berry died yesterday. five months ago he was at the national press club. >> if you are not already on our e-mail list and like to learn of future events, please see me after the event and we will put you on our e-mail list we don't overload you with e-mails. onaking of future events,

willay, todd purdom discuss his new book. on wednesday, july 9, brad thor will discuss his novel. on tuesday, july 15, tom young will present his latest military thriller. 6:00, we will discuss "innovative state." goodwill probably be a time for you to silence your cell phones. the order of events is as

follows. i'm going to introduce our guest and then have a conversation with him. after that you can ask questions. just raise your hand and someone will come around with a mic for you. when we run of time for questions, i imagine there will be quite a few, he will sign your books. i have been told by the management that once you are done with that, we are having jazz night in the bar upstairs. you might want to check that out. joe born in was 1936 -- was born in 1936. when he was eight, his mother left his father whom he never saw again and moved to memphis. he was inducted into the national honor society in high school and received a degree in chemistry. his masters degree in chemistry from this university in

nashville in 1960. he completed all courses. kansas, heersity of studied organic compounds. he was cofounder of the civil rights group the student nonviolent coordinating committee. in 1964, the organization sent him to washington dc where he won a seat on the school board in 1971 and became a council member in 1974. he served as mayor from 1979 until 1991 and again from 1995 until 1999. he has been a member of the council representing ward eight since 2005. despite a life of many

accomplishments, mr. barry is known mostly for a few minutes on a videotape in the vista hotel in 1990. we will get to that later. to use this time to explore the other aspects of your life. many people tonight would also like to know those things. that surprised me was you were one of the first black eagle scouts in memphis. as a mother of two eagle scouts, , whatd like to ask you was your favorite merit badge and what did you learn from scouting? >> good evening. let me get that out of the way. i think it was life-saving and swimming. and camping.

birdwatching. they didn't have a merit badge in girl watching. >> i think they do now and my son got it. did you feel you learned something from the boy scouts that help to prepare for university in life? >> i learned leadership skills. i learned tenacity and resilience and courage. i learned to get along with other people from different backgrounds. i went to the jamboree in new mexico. it helped shape my life a lot. the person who was most important in my life was my mother. my mother finished the third or fourth grade. they were sharecroppers did

that's where you worked all year. picking cotton. when it was all said and done, they made a three thousand or $4000 in cash. he bought the cotton back at a price lower than he was going to get for it. i think it's important that in that there were very few opportunities for a black boy born in mississippi, poor, living in a house with no running water or electricity.

domestic.was a my mother told me, i did not understand it at the time she she saidng me this, when she went to interview for a , she would tell that white woman who was usually the one hiring that she is not going to go through the back door. if i am good enough to take care of your kids and clean your house and cook your food, i am going to go through the front door. she lost a lot of jobs that way. nowalso said that even domestics were called by their isst names. she said my name mrs. cummings.

she lost a lot of jobs because of that. that tenacity rubbed off on me. i remember is clearly as i am sitting here, i did not understand it then. that was a defining moment in my life. she lived to be 92. she passed about six or seven years ago. you can clap. 92. [applause] that's a long time. mother, youof your were very busy in addition to school and being in the honor society. you had a lot of odd jobs. you collected merit badges. you were a bit of a rabble-rouser in your youth. you liked to drink white water from white water fountains.

what did your mother have to say about doing that? >> she slapped the hell out of me. don't you know better than that? she had been conditioned to live like that. >> back then, the older people in segregation were used to living like that. who saide young ones are you crazy? >> that's true. let me back up a little bit. but me put this book in context. a lot has been written about marion barry. a lot of photographs have been taken. interviews and those ofries were about the what my life and not the who of my life. being a mayor.

story of to tell the who marion barry really is. and what it is that i'm made of. [applause] this book is brutally frank. i tell it all. ugly,od, the bad, the because life is no rose bed. i put that in the book. you will see that these are very detailed situations. this book took me almost a year to do. up to 1:00 or 2:00 in the

morning. i wanted to make sure that i was accurate in what it was trying to put together. into a number of tape recorders to put this together. it was a labor of love. my life didn't start at the vista. much ofa was about this a sliver in my 78 years. it was important. i want to get that out of the way right now. regardless of what happened at , it happened 24 years ago. 24 years ago. 24 years ago.

forgiveness. she was a victim. i apologize to this community. they have accepted that apology. is a country of second, third, fourth chances. [applause] i hope this book will inspire somebody who is struggling to get rid of that struggle as much as you can. i hope this book will educate people. i put it in that context. , washingtonntext dc.

washington dc is our nations capital, it's our local government. all of our foreign embassies are here. the cabinet agencies are here. there is international press here. there is national press here. there are more eyes on me than any other person in america. i have survived that. i have overcome that. i have not let it get me down. i want to thank the people of .ashington dc few barry haters. maybe about half a dozen.

some are probably here tonight. what they do is they can't find anything good. there is one columnist who hasn't read the book. they wrote on the book. that is not right to do. back to you. [laughter] i was fascinated to read about your education in the field of science. you say that you move from science toward community action. the white ones did not want a black person to teach. it started to upset you. the black committee was not as

well educated as the segregated schools. you moved into community activism. >> that's true. i have a test -- one sister that is living. she lives in memphis tennessee. school, i in high went to a sports oriented high school. washington was the state champion among black schools and everything. football, basketball, track. everything. i went out for the band because i was too small to play football and not good enough to play basketball. after about two weeks, the bandmaster said you've got to

buy a trumpet. we can't keep letting you take this company home. i did not have the money to buy a trumpet. nobody had the money around me. i dropped out of the band. then i decided to go into boxing. did about 15 fights at 112 pounds. , thisst two fights i had guy hit me so hard i saw stars. i did not get knocked out, but i saw stars. i told the coach, i'm sorry, but i've got to go. happened twog weeks later. i said coach don't try to talk me out of it.

i was also very smart academically. i love science at that time. i don't give too many details because you will want to read it if i tell you everything. i decided to major in chemistry. i wanted a minor in math. i came through an air were people were using the first letter of their name and middle name. i did not have a middle name. my specialty was current events. after the russian scientist because he a done some outstanding things in science.

i want to kansas for a year. i couldn't stand that kind of lifestyle. lawrence was not officially segregated, but they wouldn't serve you. i went to the university of tennessee. only black student. i was active in the civil rights movement and i can help more people that way. that was also overcoming. struggle. tenacity. courage. , the matter things

what the situation is. god gave it to me. i decided to give it back to the committee. person whot one lived here or visit here who is not affected directly or indirectly by the leadership of marion barry. [applause] over severalkip things and go to you when you won your first election for mayor. there is so much that you did that i was not aware of. he first took office, you had the first audit done on city finances and you found the city million in the hole. during your terms in office, you talents the budget 11 out of 12 years.

you reduce the deficit by $200 million. you established a relationship with wall street and obtained the highest credit rating for the city. you forced slumlords to fix up their properties. you instituted programs to provide affordable housing and reduce the infant maternity rate -- mortality rate to one of the lowest in the country. you expanded the summer jobs programs to 20,000 kids. you are able to do 70 buildings downtown, creating revenue and jobs. i get the sense from your book that your favorite is increasing minority hiring for ec government contracts. could you tell us about that? when i took office in 1979, i

was sworn in by thurgood marshall. he was with the naacp legal defense fund. daysngton dc back in those , native washingtonians don't want me to say like this, it was a suburb. this building was not here. this complex was not here. was one building, the fbi building. -- f street, g street, there were no major high-rise buildings. look at washington now. look at it now. this did not happen overnight. it took a lot of work and

vision. it took a lot of tenacity. miller asd herb chairman of my downtown committee. they had some great recommendations. permitreorganize the department and welcomed as this is to come to washington. we doubled the number of hotel rooms since when i started. i think that's important that we see the big picture. picture of ourge city. all of this is replete with courage and tenacity. vision. understanding this community. loving this community. they love me back area that's very important. in terms of my programs, my most favorite program is my summer

jobs program. [applause] up, i had to sell , the morning paper. me wasy thing that saved a friend of mine lived down the street and he grew faster than me. and 11thn my 10th grade, i grew three inches. i had nothing to wear. afford it orldn't it my friend gave me all of his close. his suits, his khaki pants. his shirts. to him, i am a turtle he grateful.

don't complain about what you don't have, but work hard to get what you want. government, minority business, hispanics, blacks, women. 3% when i came in. when i left, it was 47%. millions of dollars transferred into the hands of people who had been left out. when example of that is bob johnson of bt. johnsoncil awarded bob the franchise. he did not have an operator of a programmer. he got them to hook up with him.

we had some land at an york avenue where washington beef was supposed to go. johnson lease all of that land for one dollar a year. he began here. he's a multimillionaire. look it be eating out. bet now.t he moved on to be a developer and he is one of the most prosperous developers in the country, white or black. because ofright here

my vision. i could name 100 more like that. there were qualified members of the black middle class who would not been given an opportunity. they had degrees and certificates. government was lily white at the top. we opened the government up. black families were able to move from here up to hear. i'm very proud of the fact that we built a strong black middle class. black middlehe class went to bridge -- prince george's county. i understand it. asked me to stand as

i am proud of that too. these not going to let imaginary boundaries stop us. here,y are suffering over they are suffering over here. prince george's county is one of the richest black run populations in america. i am proud that i contributed greatly to that situation. that everybody was pleased with you shifting things into the black community. you felt this played a role in what happened. late 1980's, the fbi

started to look through your bank accounts and telephone records. they spent $10 million. you even reported there was a hertz rental truck following you around day at night. why'd you think they did this? i had a problem with the fbi. washington, came to i had no problem with the fbi. started the minority millions andifting millions of dollars to the , from 3% tomunity strange that the fbi should welcome me.

when i got in office, i knew it but i did not understand it as well. problems in the black community. need job placement. they can find their own jobs. they don't need an excellent education system because they send their kids to a next one and pay for it. >> you admit that you weren't

squeaky clean in the 80's. you admit to alcohol and some drug use and a couple of affairs. you do admit that. that wasn't hard to admit. that's the truth. me for those to two years and that one night that i was at the vista, i should not have gone to that hotel and i should not have gone upstairs. i should not have been anywhere, even though they found some other way. i have apologized for that. if you talk about christianity, the disciples asked jesus how many times should you forgive 70 timesand he said

70. i'm not perfect. i admit my faults. and it my mistakes here want to find somebody who's perfect. who has not made a mistake eight done a damn thing. i'm not trying to justify it. i'm trying to explain it so that people can see it in the context of my history. i'm 78 years of age. i think god for that. the majority of people who graduated with me in my high , it got so bad that

the white candles outnumbered those of us that were still here. we stopped having them. we knew all the people who'd gone on. what i also want to do with that , those mistakes and misjudgments, i want there to be a lesson to other people. people who are suffering the same kind of thing. particularly, the drug situations. we've got millions and millions of americans right now who are suffering from that disease of drug addiction. there are thousands of d.c. residents who are suffering. we talked to job development people and they will tell you one of the biggest terriers to employment is dirty urine.

it, you can do it. if marion barry can stand up, you can do it. that's one reason why i wrote the book. i want to educate and inspire. people are going through a lot. it may not be drugs and alcohol, but it's something. it might be divorce or financial problems. i want to be instructive that you can tackle that problem. pastor used to preach about a storm. storm, on out of a her way to a storm, or in a storm. hole, find yourself in a stop reading. go above the to

storm then through the storm. storm, that'sthe idiocy. too many people ignore the storm. this book is about helping other people. it's about giving examples of how one man can overcome so many things. person who ordinary is done extraordinary things. the reason i'm taking the time to talk about this in detail is that the barry haters don't want to tell you the truth. i thank you all so much for understanding where i'm coming from.

through the grace of god do i sit here, and some other people. i just got over an illness. 30% ofs you out or it the people who get it don't come back. god blessed me to come back to continue to serve this community. i'm still not quite there yet. i would rather walk that way than not walk at all. i give all that glory to god. difficultn in some times. only when i gave it to god today begin to try to come back from it. the naysayers are going to find some reason to criticize me anyway. i don't mind you criticizing me about god. the one thing that

shocked the world was when you ran again for air in 1994 and you one. your slogan was great. "he may not be perfect, but he's perfect for d.c." i told my pollster to go back and do it again. 13%.

there were some of things that were not being done. , they werey programs going downhill. that is 30%. it is down to about 20% now. our school system was still a wreck. not to safeway and i could get out of there in less than two hours from people talking to me. couldn't do it from the council. i decided to use my courage and tenacity and vision and my resilience to run for mayor. it was my best campaign. i get 47% of the vote. people, those who are here saw all the good work that we had done.

you judge a person not by the cover of a book, but what's in the book and what chapters are there. i knew that god had given me this vision and i had to give back. washington is better off because iran in 1984. i want against all odds. i have had 13 races and only lost one. i am known now around the skillful political person. [applause] that's that. from thatgs was raggedy paper. [laughter]

he was very creative. beth and called my wife lady macbeth. he also started mayor for life and i did not like it. the more people talked to me, they said you are the mayor forever. you are one of the best mayors we ever had. everybody refers that. thank you, ken. [applause]

i'm sorry. >> you are serving in ward eight. you write in the book the human stopped by the police on several occasions for dwb. for?does that stand driving while black. or for driving too slowly. >> that's a true story. ready to go to southeast. serviceional parks police officer is across the street. be 25 milesg may per hour. i saw the red light. ticket for driving too slow. out that d.c. doesn't

have a driving too slow law. the national police, i've had more trouble with them that anybody in this town. they leave me alone now. they don't pick up these trivial things on me. that racism is alive and well in america despite the fact that we have a black man in the white house? will we ever live in a post-racial society? this post racial. the last chapter of my book talks about where we go from here. factor in everything that happens. it is a factor. washington, d.c. has become

mostly halves and a third have knots. divide.a ligety income gap area and ward eight is $26,000 year. three is $200,000. impair that. what it is done, people have gone to crime. i don't condone that. i understand it. burglary or robbery. all of these things are about getting money. young people today are influenced greatly by the television. we have a video called grand theft auto.

it has people shooting cops. that is awful. the people who are making money off that are nonblack people. that bothers me. communities, you have a black boy who has never man getife seen a black up and go to work. 82% of the families in ward eight are headed by female heads of household. i admire those black women. we had one son. he just turned 34. amenities.the we had connections to get them into schools.

we had the connections. what about those parents who don't have those resources? they don't have those connections? put out ais book can whole bunch of things like that where people can take cold. the basis of all of this is simple. it's poverty. think about it. none of us decided where we were born or when we were born or under what conditions or what color we were born or what nationality we were born. the people who are in poverty in america were born into poverty. there are very few people who , in terms ofrty massive in's

america. we have to do all we can to give people to be self-sufficient. i wanted you to understand what i was saying. >> i have one quick question. you are 78 and you have had some health issues. looking ahead, what do you want to do? you want your legacy to be? what's the future for marion barry? >> i have two more years left on the council. that's a given. i'm not going to telegraph my punches about that. i learned a long time ago that you don't telegraph your punches. is i'm oni can say the council for two more years. in terms of my legacy, there are so many things.

a person that cared deeply about especially low income people who undergo a lot of discrimination. to get asthing i want legacy is to be instructive to people. succeed in spite of it all. they can overcome. if you have the tenacity and the , pyramid it. i want to use this as an example.

met her in 2004. this was at my victory party in ward eight. after i started talking to her, she did not have a high school diploma or ged. she had four boys. she was raising them by herself. she'd refused to go on welfare. .he worked two and three jobs i helped her get into public housing. she went to school. she got a high school diploma. she got a certificate as a nurse's aide. she passed [applause]

. she is going to answer the sheol of nursing in august. is in a four-year bachelors program. that's what i want to leave people with. [applause] >> thank you so much. this gentle men appear has a question the corner. >> we known each other for a number of years. thank you all immensely for coming. i thank you. >> you almost started preaching there for a moment. as the president of the national business league, i look back on

what berkeley burrell did for me. all of this is because of marion barry. i commend you for the work that you have done. you are the only mayor that i've ever made a dime from. mayor that i made any money from. thank you so much. i commend you for all that you've done. [applause] >> thank you. if you were the emperor of the united states and you had limitless power, what would you do about poverty in america? >> i don't answer if questions. i really don't. no personal offense. i'm not emperor. i never will be emperor. i'm not being hostile or anything.

i would rather say my opinion about something. question, poverty is is sosive here it massive. people are on food stamps. both black-and-white. got poorchia you've white people. poverty will not be eradicated or reduced until everybody in , everyntry everybody or every gets involved. we're going to make a dent because we are going to work

temporaryet people on assistance and get them jobs. i appreciate the question. poverty is so massive. somebody quoted somebody the other day. keller said those who are well off have an understanding and a hard time understanding people who are not well off. thank you very much. question is one of the things that strikes me about what you have been doing is economic growth. you look at economics. it did not seem that was a major focus of the civil rights movement. nowe is more inequality

than in the 1880's. washington dc is a leader in growth and we are a black city despite everybody taking credit. forefronts not in the in african-american leadership? are good jobs. they are still being denied to those who serve their country and are educated. that is anething untold story of washington dc. unfortunately, when you are you live and survive. midi is at stake. -- dignity is at stake.

the basic point of this country is the right to vote and that is being eroded now. are a number of us who been working on economic development situations. the last chapter of my book talks about civil rights. apologize for being a little bit late. my biological clock does not work right. college, i refused to take any clock class. we just got back from new york. i had a great time in new york. we were on al sharpton's show.

the train was late. apologize deeply for that. >> we've got a question right over there. greetings. i'm doing well. i just want to congratulate you on your book. i wanted to make sure that everyone knows that you helped to pioneer the three c movement. we haven't of population and a sense of we have urgency here it what is your opinion about the free d.c. movement. it happened in 1966. the board of trade had gone on record as being opposed to it. our struggles must continue.

we need statehood. some of us can work on that. can you imagine, this legend is $11 billion. it comes from local taxpayers. we have to go hat in hand to the congress to get permission to spend their own money. world, we try to bring democracy to iraq. you've seen what is happening there. i'm for terrorists being rooted at.

you come right back here to your home in the white house and congress and we don't have statehood here? something's wrong with that picture. [applause] >> you will be next. i want to thank you so kindly for your excellent leadership skills and vision and courage and tenacity. time, the civil rights were you ever injured while --?hing question mark were you ever hurt? >> god blessed me. i was spat upon. i was pushed off the stool at a lunch counter. i was never shot.

we celebrate the big anniversary in mississippi this weekend. over the islamic center. i got hit right in the chest. god was there and i survived. the big read more about in the book. [laughter] >> i probably do need a mic.

congratulations on the book. answer your legacy question. one of the colleges all of town or maybe them should share a seed for should be about teaching the kids in this time political science. because you are at the greatest campaigner. i can't imagine one of his goals were not do this. i think this is what should happen. >> thank you. am an lo. i second-generation washingtonian. had to be here, it is important to me.

you had a great impact in my life. specially in the career here in dc, you may does know all the kids in washington could go to college. we go to mission and i got one of your programs. >> thank you. >> i came back and worked with the dc program. hearing in a low income to bring self awareness. i wanted to let you know you are a great person. >> thank you very much. let me say a lot of those been put into place.

when i was mayor i used to give $2000. that is gone. i used to give $1000 to every student who was going to top 10%. that has gone to. some of oing to bring that back. >> we have time for one more question. >> you said one of the reasons you wrote a book was to explain who is marion barry. think is the biggest misconception about marion barry over the years? >> the biggest misconception is taken ost of my life is

and scandals, and alleged corruption. most people know me even in dc. united states government sent the tape to investor -- amb in the world. and to every governor in the world. these haters have contributed. that is all part of it, we have

to go through it. i'm not fazed by it. people in satisfy the washington dc and give them some hope and help. and then they can write they want about me. i don't care. [applause] >> i will do thank you so much for coming here tonight and i wanted to give you a very precious object, at the know if you had one of these before. the national press club cup. -- we are going to be outside signing your books.

this morning ts report that defence secretary chuck hagel will be resigning. president obama is expected to announce resignation today at the white house. we will take you there life here on c-span. we'll hear more about that, the set for 1 e briefing pm. and the military front there resolution from rand paul. when congress comes back into in december next week, senator paul was the implement resolution to declare the war against the islamic state. so present obama will be coming in 10 minutes.

in the meantime a historic look at immigration. >> here is alan, a history professor at american university. here to talk about more broadly president obama's immigration action. like this ents acted on immigration. what did p back and the president use to some his justifications for the executive action? good deal of precedent. back at least as eisenhower if not further. there is an entry of individuals who are in trouble one reason or another, cuba

in 1959. during the ford administration the admission of 560,000 vietnamese. 14,000 lebanese. whenever there is a world crisis presidents have the in ion of responding 96 ition to that, after the immigration control act there were adjustments made by the by gan and ministration and the bush administration to parents children of those who had been amnestied in the interest of keeping families together. >> how long has congress legislated on immigration? what is our history and legislating with immigration in terms of setting limits on who come into hey can this country. >> goes back to 19th century.

it was a state matter. by the 1870's is that seeing congress trying to exclude criminals or imbeciles. prostitutes and so on. the chinese e is exclusion law to exclude chinese workers from coming to the united states. then in the 1890's the federal into a ent really moves controlling position with inspection of immigrants coming to united states. it has been that way ever since. in 1924 there is a dramatic restrictions passed by the federal government and the johnson read

immigration act. coming to united states, very restrictive policies. that was not really revised with a so-called kennedy- johnson revision. had s on to say we haven't other than 1986 a large overhaul of immigration policy. when you look back at these immigration acts, how they always been accompanied by these political noise? about a year ago, chuck

hagel was visiting our troops the south of korea. future of about the our military, that one soldier was his asked him favourite football team. he said he was born in nebraska and he did not have a choice. there was a time when an listed might have been reluctant to ask the question to secretary of defence, but chuck hagel has been no ordinary secretary of defence. first enlisted combat the position, e he understands these men and women as few others can. he has been a mad. established a special

bond, he sees himself in them and they see themselves in him. their safety, their lives have been at the center of chuck hagel's service. asked him to act as a were in a efence we transition, with the need in we had to n and prepare our troops for future missions. has nearly 2 years chuck we n an exemplary as we ernise our strategy and make long-term props, while we still face present issues. he engaged in this missions and looking ahead at the future. last month took came to meet to

quarter of my st presidency, having gathered department to the transition, he believes it was time for him to complete his service. let me say chuck is and has great friend of mine, i have known him and trusted him for almost a decade, since i was a freshman senator and we both in the center court relationship committee. i know about him, is that he doesn't make any decisions lightly. i consider myself extraordinary lucky to have them by my set for last two years. he has agreed to stay on until i name a successor. he will continue to guide our troops in this current time. i will have more time to pay

on bute to his services, not to say this, he has devoted himself to the national security and to a man and women in uniform. he volunteered for vietnam and still carries the scars from barrels that he fought. he wanted to give our veterans the benefit they deserved. he made sure america always on as our troops. he helped to lead the fight in a post-911. a secretary, chuck hagel helped transition our military and bolster our leadership around the world. for es took the lead security in afghanistan, our mission ends next month and will partner with afghans to reserve the gains we have made.

the nato alliance is as strong as it has ever been. have reassured our allies with our presence in central and eastern europe. we modernise our alliances in the asia-pacific. we recently agreed to improve indications between the chinese and the us military. chuck has been critical to all these accomplishments. meanwhile he has ensured that our military is ready. they are taking the fight against isil to ensure that the world is meeting. today our forces are helping to support the efforts against ebola in africa. talk left to say that the us military is the best force for good in the world.

finally, chuck has never lost sight of key priorities. the redness of our force and the quality of their lives, he to ensure w reforms that even how our military is leaner you will remain the strongest in the world. and our troops will still get the paying, housing, child caring that they need. reforms that we need congress to not support. at the same time, after the tragedy we have seen, a major installations have improved the security. chuck i also want to thank you on a personal level. come from different parties, but in accepting this position you sent a powerful message especially to folks in the city. in caring for our troops.

when i known it at you for this position you said you will always give me your honest advice, you have. and e has mattered most behind closed doors you have it to me straight. a nominee hen i was i travelled to afghanistan and iraq. chuck hagel accompanied me. rare at a time when sometimes we stand so politicised to have a friend accompany a ing to nominee from a different party. what was most important was we t we were unified when confronted the chances that we faced overseas. has class and integrity,

which chuck cale has always presented. you are blessed with your family and your friends. i want to thank your wife, your son and your daughter for the sacrifices they have made as well. i know they are equally excited to get that husband and father back. i'm sure a final beer to cheer them more often. today the united states of claim the most powerful military force in the world. the result of the character and them, of those who lead sergeant a young army to act as our latest sector defence.

thank you, chuck. [applause] >> thank you very much. mr president, thank you for your generous words your friendship and your support. would i have always valued and value until nue to my long-time. vice president, joe biden who i have always admired and respected. we have learned a lot from him over the last years.

deputy to thank the secretary of defence and the who is n martin dempsey also her. i want to thank them for being here this morning. i also want to thank you both for your tremendous leadership of the defence department. for the honour i have had to with each of you and the been in every as way. i want to thank the entire team at the pentagon, without their support are many accomplishments. tremendous men and women that make this happen, i

be proud of them and what we have accomplished over the last two years. i have president noted, submitted my resignation as secretary of defence. it has been the greatest prelate of my life to lead and most importantly to serve, the men and women of the defence department and support the families. what we ensely proud of have accomplished. president noted our allies have had a successful transition in afghanistan. we bolstered injuring alliances and strengthen emerging partnerships, was successfully responding to crisis around the world. will tched reforms that prepare this institution for the challenges facing us in decades to come.

i believe we have set up not only this department, the department of the face, but the course to a stronger security, stability, and prosperity. i i do not believe that would not have done this job. president and vice president, acknowledged what how grateful and i am to both of you for your leadership and friendship and forgive me this opportunity to our country once again. i will continue despite you mr president, and the men and women who defend this country every day. as obviously-- unselfishly, and their families.

i will stay on this job and as i have t as hard moment eryday every until my successor is confirmed by the congress. like to extend my colleagues in ur capitol hill. my gratitudeto them for the support of me and my importantly our troops, and their families. i want to thank my international counterparts for the advice during my time as secretary of defence. their involvement with me and their partnership in some of these important areas as we coalitions, i extremely important. i will be for ever gratefulto them. finally i would like to thank my family.

wife, she has been with me throughout so many years and so many tremendous experiences. this experience an opportunity and privilege to serve as secretary of defence has been one of those. to my daughter and son. mr president, thank you again to the whole team, because it is a team effort. the fun of it, to help build teams and work together to make things happen for the good of the country and make a better world. to all i am immensely grateful and to all of you, your have a happy thanksgiving. [applause]

>> president obama sequiturs offence chuck hagel announcing chuck hagel is resigning but will stay in place until a replacement is put. we does take your calls, let us now with your reactions are. lines on the screen. on the phone right lines, jessica is waiting on republican line. what is your action to her resignation?

bit surprised tle when i first heard the news. for him to resign, i am really who he will see elect as next defence secretary. i was wondering what you think about that. >> short, let's take a look here. wall street journal -- isil is -- actually let's look at the new york times first. reed is a ck possibility. list is top of the ashton carter.

colin from texas and the independent line. it sounds to me like he got jammed. hagel was ike mr certain -- maybe questions as the resolve that he has been asked to step down. any truth to that? >> we are going to take a look. remind you that republicans held the chairman elections, two top of secretaries, john mccain. q look at what john mccain said when he was -- when secretary hagel was being elected her. at one of his ook

statements. time for secretary hagel. i have known years has i know senator hagel been an honourable man. senator hagel has served this faithfully and with distinction". "secretary hagel and i have had our differences for many years but i will was consider him a friend and a dedicated public he says i help the is sident will name secretary of defence with the chuck hagel has exhibited".

calling from utah. hagel testifying upon congress, there were questions which were rude and not recognising the fact that he was providing. thought to myself, why would anybody put up with this? be worth d possibly than taking a battle in vietnam and now here he is. i believe congress has not been fair to chuck hagel, he was a secretary of state. >> chuck hagel was a republican. dennis, what is your reaction? >> obama really has very little support. is the third guy.

it's all balanced the way everybody says, is obama's way or the highway. just name one country that is better off since obama has been president. i don't think you can, these know what eople they're doing. calling from south carolina, independent. >> what do you think this new site will bring to the table? what do you think should happen? >> we have seen some what secretary hagel has done. what do you think? hope to see someone more. haven't thought about it.

>> what you think about hagel's resignation? caller: when i look at the leaders om geopolitical around the world, particularly like americans for an and the european responsible for the the federation to essentially act militarily in ukraine. i think what we are dealing with is an independent geopolitical actor that will -- to act with in contrast to the independent for the individuals infrastructure for the us,

pushing the united states to an economic and military caliphate. using our infrastructurewith our backs. host: senator hagel naming some cuts for the military. let's take a look at some other tweets. "this announcement shows that when you don't have a strategy, it's hard to come up with a team to help you implement a strategy". and the were isil middle east. giving the new one is going to crash with obama. while a new and be able to change the fundamental policies? ian is on the line in georgia.

what are your thoughts? caller: and reading between the lines in the news releases in the direction to the world crisis. collymore to at the story that has got to the press. this gentleman seems to not have been psychologically up to the task. he was kind of confused and slow to respond in the congress. i think there's properly more to this. it poorly has to deal with some personal reasons. of t: we are seeing some secretary hegel's nominations. the wall e a look at street journal, they say he's

going to stay in place until his new replacement is confirmed. three potential replacements, a veteran who has already served in the pentagon. senator jack reed, from rhode island. he's a military veteran and a former professor west point. and then another person we with the ashton carter, former deputy secretary defence. under hagel and panetta. three potential candidates by the wall street journal sees. to started last year. he served in vietnam. we are taking your phone calls and getting your reaction we

think of the resignation. michael from florida. i have been listening, it seems like everybody is blaming president obama for everything that's going on. we to understand the president he cannot do an, everything. they said we need to pay a close look at israel and how they are handling the situation. host: hhow do you see what is happening here? down for e's stepping a reason that we don't know yet. it will be in the next weeks. host: from car near alabama what are your thoughts? caller: i think we need in better secretary defence and

chuck hagel. host: why do you think that? caller: because he doesn't really understand what is going on. is on the line, chuck hagel is assigning what you think' julia on the line from california. going on to gary, decatur taxes on the republican line. hagel resigned this was as a i believe he republican setting under a democratic president. he was very limited to what he could do.

names that you mapped of the potential find they ts i don't would be any better. are use even though they democrats, i believe there will limited because he's not into a that is my opinion. host: what is important to you is a good defence? what would be important for you for the next secretary of defence? -- ler: the next act

secretary of defence should not be limited to what he can do. article in the new york times, he is stepping down under pressure. of branson lapse obama's majority. respond to the float of global crisis. they made the decision to ask his defence secretary to step down last friday after a series of meetings and a little down in the article, chuck hagel said he was expecting to serve the whole four years. removal appears to be a

move to an earlier response to the critics. jane is on the line in illinois. caller: the man to do this job who can reach across the aisle in both sides with a proven is jim webb. we need in there right now. you can manage people, yyou need to lead them. and i do not see leadership of mr hagel. from the n, independent line. to take a live look at the white house meeting. there will be a 1 o'clock at eastern time.

later today, the announcement medal of freedom winners. take a look -- which has had from president obama as a good defence chuck hagel about the resignation and here they are from the white house. >> good morning, everybody. about a year ago at signature defencechuck hagel was listing troops in south korea thanking them for our service. in questions they asked about the usual topics, security, the future of our military, that from ohio as him what was his favourite football team.

he responded that being born and raised in nebraska he had no choice. when a us time soldier might be reluctant to ask that question to sector defence. but chuck hagel has been no ordinary secretary of defence, he has been the first enlisted veteran in a position. he understands these men and women like few others, because stood where he stood. that has established a special bond. he sees himself in them, and they see themselves in him. safety and their lives have's been at the center of chuck hagel's service. when i asked him to act as a good defence we were entering a significant period of transition.

drawing out of afghanistan, the forces for pare our future missions, and fiscal choices to keep our military strong and ready. has nearly 2 years chuck been an exemplary defence hand r, providing a steady we modernise a strategy and budget to meet long-term threat while still responding to media challenges like isil and ebola. thanks to chuck, our military is on a firmer footing engaged in this mission is awaiting ahead for the future. talking to meet to time of out the last my presidency. he believed it was an appropriate time for him to complete his services. is and has better been a great friend of mine, i have trusted him for over a since i was a freshman

center and we were both on the senator for relationships committee. there's one thing that i know not make ck, he does decisions lightly. this decision does not make him but i consider myself to have him y lucky by my side for these two years he has decided stay on as a nominate his successor. he will continue to guide our troops at the standing time. i will have more opportunity to tribute to his services, this. chuck td say hagel has devoted himself to our national security. he volunteered for vietnam and scars from es the barrels-- battles that he fought. our veterans give

the benefits they deserve. as a senator he helped lead the post 9/11 bill. a secretary he has helped our military and bolster our leadership in the world. forces have drawn down, a combat mission that ends next month and will partner with afghans to preserve the gains we have made. the nato alliance is as strong as it has ever been, we have reassured our allies with the increased presence in central and eastern europe. we have modernised alliance asia-pacific and recently agreed better conditions between the us and china military.

been critical to all these conditions. meanwhile, chuck has ensured that the military is ready for new missions. our men and women are in iraq against isil syria, chuck helped build a international coalition to make sure the world meets this thread together. are supporting the civilian efforts to fight off ebola in africa. finally, chuck has never lost sight of key priorities like the readiness of our forces and the quality of live of our troops. even as our military is lena who remains the strongest in the world. troops continue to get the pay,

the health, the childcare that and their families need. congress hat we need to not support. that we have gedy improved the s military installations and stood up to sexual assault from the ranks. on a o to thank you personal level. when you accepted this position sent a strong message, when it comes to our national are all americans first. when i related you for this position, you said you always give me your honest advice. have, winners mattered most behind closed doors in the oval office you have always giving it to me straight. for that i will always be grateful. nominee in hen other

to 8 and i travelled afghanistan and iraq. me on hagel accompanied rare at vel, is pretty the time when sometimes we to have a oliticised friend who was willing to from a ny a nominee different party because he understood that who ever turned out to be president was important was to be unified i guess the challenges we had overseas. that is the integrity and class that chuck hagel has always presented. they say that life is only as good as the family you have, in that you are blessed. to thank your wife, son, and daughter for the sacrifices they have made as well. i know is reluctant we are to see goal, we're given them the

father and husband back. and a final be there to cheer in nebraska. today thecan claim the strong as military the world has ever known. and sacrifices of generations. as a result of the character and wisdom of those who lead them as well. including a young army sergeant in vietnam who became secretary of state. thank you, chuck. [applause]

>> thank you. thank you for your generous words and your friendship, and support. would i have always valued and until my inue to value long-term -- vice president joe biden, who i have always admired and respected. both the president and i have learned an awful lot from the vice president in the last years. deputy to thank the secretary of defence and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff gen martin dempsey, who here. o to thank them for being here this morning. others want to thank you both

for your tremendous leadership of the defence department, what you mean to our men and women all over the world. and for the honour i have had with both of you. thank the entire leadership team at the pentagon. without their support and wise of nsel over the last couple years, many accomplishments, i but as a part of that team. it is these tremendous men and which make this happen, i be proud of them and what we have accomplished of the last two years that i have been serving in this position. as the president noted i have submitted my resignation as secretary of defence. it has been the greatest life, the of my greatest privilege of my life in such an important

and to serve who give nd women their lives. we have prepared ourselves and our allies for a successful transition in afghanistan. we bolstered injuring alliances and strengthened emerging partnerships, while responding crisis around the world. we have launched important the president has noted. reforms that will prepare this institution for the challenges it was in the future. this department, to the perimeter fence, but the nation and a stronger cause to security, stability and prosperity. if i do not believe that i will not have done this job. as our country prepares to thanksgiving, i want

what you have done and how grateful i am to your leadership and friendship, and forgive me this opportunity to serve our country once again. i will continue to support you mr president, the men and women this country every day unselfishly. as i said, i will stay in this job and work as hard as i have last couple of years, every day, and every moment until my successor is named. i would also like to express my gratitude colleagues on capitol hill. my gratitude to them for the support of me, but more importantly the support of our

troops and families. thank my nt to international counter voices for their partnership and advice during my time as secretary of defence. their involvement with me in so of these important areas that we have built this coalition of common interest, is a critically important and to them and grateful and always will be. finally, i will like to thank my family. with me this was morning. throughout n with me so many years, and during so many tremendous experiences. experience an opportunity and privilege to serve a sex offence has been one of those. to my daughter and son.

you resident, thank you to and to all of our team. is a team effort. the fun of it, to help build teams that work together to make things happen for the good of the country and make a better world. to all i am immensely grateful, to all of you, your families, have a happy thanksgiving. [applause]

>> wwe expect to hear more on secretary of the fence chuck hagel's resignation. we'll take you that life just over one hour. also, the presidential medal award. recipients include meryl streep. congress and songwriter stevie wonder. president obama issued an effective order on immigration week and texas governor, rick perry say he may sue the president for his actions. he was at an annual meeting in he also spoke about partnership in congress.

>> chuck todd. the voice of god. [applause] as you can see, these are the only governors who an interest in presidential run. am kidding, of course.

i want to kick things up here on a minute, one of the things want you to do when people and ask the questions, that people on the sides collecting them. going to kick off with immigration. want to start with one of the governors who have all served in congress. closed to speaker boehner, how should republican leadership respond to the president's action? >> my view is that they should deny the actors straightaway. they should have asked him to

put it off. it clear ld have made to him, that they will not listen to people who have no interest in solutions. over in ohio we offered solutions. >> you think they should have tried to pass a bill? >> they should have sat with them and try to hammer a thing out. poison any ed to more wells we're not in a position where we are just going to rock block you, we might go back and take a look. i was in congress on ronald came with a plan, i think you really want to try and work with the president. to elieve it is a president

move forward unilaterally, i think the cooler heads need to prevail. that is what i will suggest. leadership at one time. that could make for some ugly politics. >> i believe it would be a profound mistake for the president of the united states. i truly do. i believe that the issues of this magnitude should always be consent of th the the government, the senate passed a competitive immigration bill. president ought to set down in january with the new

majority in the congress and search for common grounds. that is what leadership looks like. that is all we do everyday working without legislators. signing an executive order storming around the country defending that executive order is not leadership. the likes of which we practice everyday. i would like to sit this administration down with the republican congress and find genuine common ground, more security, is by -- piece by piece performance that should be advanced on this issue. >> the third governor up here who has washington experience, i know you have to hide that these da