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institute for congressional studies in washington d.c. it runs about 30 minutes. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> thank you. madame vice president, welcome to the apex leaderships on that. >> happy 30th anniversary everyone. [applause] before we get start have to talk about alicia precooked she is amazing. >> she is just such an incredible representation of our young leaders. alicia, i'm so proud of you. i know there are many members of congress here. she is been going up to the hill

to talk about how we can coordinate all the work we are doing one mental health. i look at her jen is the leaders they have so many talents and they are so courageous it. and she is an incredible organizer among the young people in my office. around the issues we really need to focus on if we care about the future of our country quickly please applaud alicia for her work? [applause] please. [applause] she is wonderful. >> how are you question it good to see you. i have no idea why you call me too do this. [applause] lisa lange must've not been available affect they went down collegeto on not available now here i am. it's an absolute honor to be here with you. all of these amazing leaders. i've been listening to a lot of talks there are a lot of first a lot of groundbreakingg trailblazers about community and of course you are the first

fight. [inaudible] vice president of the united states. i want to ask what is it mean to be the first? and how has your heritage informs your reviews and your vr roles as a leader? >> so as alicia said, my mother gave my sister and me a lot of advice. one oft the things she said toe that has had a lasting impact as she said he may be the first to do many things. but make sure you are not the last. my mother was 19 years old when she arrived in the united states by herself. she was the eldest of my grandparents for kids. and she said -- she was a part of one of the first waves of indians to come and relative modern history to the united states in the 50s. so any of south asian background you will note this was early,

early, early. there were not many indians who would come in at that point. and my mother said to her father when she was 19 years old, i want to cure cancer. and so what i learned later as she secretly applied to uc t barkley. and she got accepted. and so she went to my grandfather and said i want to go. my grandfather was very progressive. his eldest child we don't asian culture what birth order it mea, right? [applause] i my first grandchild too, i will say. my grandfather said go. she arrived in the united states by herself because she had a passion and a goal. her life was committed to two things raising her two daughters and ending breast cancer.

my grandfather was probably one of the favorite people in my life. especially during my childhood. we were penpals any of you of my generation mate river the blue envelopes with all the stripes on them, right? that you send it back and forth and you open them you open it with a letter opener and unfolded. my grandfather and i were penpals but we go back to india every two years growing up. trying to avoid monsoon season it was sometime between october and december. around the christmas holidays usually. and i come as as the eldest grandchild, had the honor of anyone in my family invited by my grandfather to take his morning walk with his retired buddies. and they would, every morning orgather -- these old men who we very smart and very knowledgeable it would take their walk. i would hold my grandfather's

hand and i was the one able to go on the walk with him. my grandfather and his friends would passionately debate the importance of democracy. and a government that treated people equally, with fairness and a government that was not corrupt. and that influenced my life in more ways than i can ever explain. even though i did not realize it at the time. all of that had an impact on what i decided to do with my life. my mother, when she arrived in the united states she automatically had given who my grandfather was, and about the fight for independence in india. might mother then of course you might not know this in retrospect, it took to the streets to marsh for civil rights and hurt sorry. and that is how she met my father.

and all of that is had a profound influence. i will also add to this about being the first because there are so many firsts here. there are so many that we who are the first have decided we won't mentor you and we will support you, and we will remind you of what it involves. and also that you have an incredible community of people that are encouraging you every step of the way. here's the thing about breaking barriers. breaking barriers does not mean to start on one side of the barrier and you end up on the other side. there is braking involved. when you break things you get cut. and you may bleed. and it is worth it every time. every time. and so too, especially the young people here i say to you when you walk in those rooms, being the only one that looks like

you, the only one with your background, you walk in those rooms chen up shoulders back. be it ate me too graham, eight courtroom, a hearing room, you walk in those rooms knowing that we are all in that room with you. applauding you on. and expecting certain things fromu you. includingu. you will not be silt in those rooms. we expect that from you because we also expect you will internalize and no we are there with you. and so your voice can be strong. it is, as alicia's at my mother would say to me don't you ever let anyone tell you who you are. you tell them who you are. don't ever carry as a personal burden your capacity to do whatever you dream and aspire to

do based on other people's limited ability to see who can do what. this is part of what is involved is that we have times people who open the door for you and leave itil open, sometimes they won't. you need to kick that door down. [cheering] language. >> we ought to make t-shirts with kick the laughing door down. i literally got emotional listening to that all of us have that experience. like me as an actor, whether you are in political officer of the job you walk into we are the only asian person there. and how to navigate that. for me it's hate, i understand i

am fortunate to be here. reit's never like i try not to blame it on anything if i miss an audition or whatever.th i have got to be a better actor forget about asian or not asian i've got to do better than everyone else like you said so i won't be the last. >> it is very much a part of asian culture. many cultures we are taught duty. duty is something is not whether you have the luxury or the will. it is your responsibility, it is your duty and you don't question it, it justdo is. part of that is the duty we feel when we are the first in particular, to understand what that means to people who are not us.

meaning everyone else. we learned a lot culturally about the fact that it is not about us. it is about family. it is about community. ask about country, it's about values. someone once described it to me as if you think about the culture and i'm oversimplifying obviously. but think of it as an onion for the individuals at the core of the onion. and then there is the family and there is the community and their all of the things are bigger. and that is part of how we are conditioned to think in many ways. sometimes it leads to probably a willingness willingness to minimize the importance of the individual. we have to be careful about that. but duty is an important part of it from a two point.

jimmy: i think what you said earlier, just being raised by immigrants, i think, gives us that perspective and gratefulness to be here in a great democracy because that can't be taken for granted, especially >> i should prep the card -- >> he's the thing i want to add while you're pulling out whatever is coming out of your pocket. l [laughter] it also should -- it -- my experience i'll talk about my experience. that also taught me that you have to fight for rights. for everybody -- and you have to be in the fight. you can't, you can't sit it out; right? and that's part what i -- that's certainly how i was raised you you can't sit it out because you know how inequity happens. you know what happens when systems create displaced power. or when systems are suppressing the rights of other people, you

know, and so that's part of -- how i was raised as well. >> again i think we've seen that in very recent history, you know, like, since the dobbs decision a lot of our rights are under attack like what we took for granted as basic rights and you have led the charge on protecting the reproductive freedom for thisu administratin we thank you for that. l so as -- what are you hearing from americans as you talk about protecting reproductive freedom? and how has it been the fight on restoring roe v. wade? >>g so again, you know, i lookt it in terms of the fact that, you know, one of the i never imagined. but one of the mentors for me in terms of the career that i chose was marshall who understood the importance of translating the passion from the streets to the

courtrooms of america. t to make real the promise of america. and when e think about the dobbs decision just about two years ago, the highest court in our land, the court of rbg just took a constitutional right that had been recognized from the people of america from the women of america. and thereafter and state after state laws are proposed and passed that wouldf criminalize health care providers, punish women some make no exception for rape or incest, and so there is -- about this issue the fact that over the last two years, this issue and the way it has played out has resulted in real and profound harm to real people on a daily basis you've all heard the stories. of woman who goes to the emergency room as she's experiencing a miscarriage and denied care because the physicians there are afraid

they'll beca jailed goes back still denied it wasn't until she developed sepsis as she's treated and there are horrendous stories and these are only stories we know about so many people silently suffering there's the harm component of this that is profound and real. there is also the fact that in now -- 2024 a decision has been made that takes from the american people a fundamental freedom to make decisions about one's own body. think about what that's taking us back to. that one does not have the right to exercise authority over issues that i call heart and home. issues that are fundamental to what should be a right to decide to start a family or not.

and where does this go? because for the lawyers in room and those that are interested in reading supreme court decisions -- [laughter] clarence thomas said the quiet part outlout other rights very much at stake and when there's erosion of rights, where does it end if the people don't stand up? right? and you know, a demographically among theig various groups the last numbers i saw 80% of the anhpi community is in favor of freedom and choice. and again because it is a simple point. which i often make for many people, youoi know, one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree that government should not be telling her what to do. she will make that decision based on her ability to actually exercise good judgment and can you imagine these legislators

that are supposing their judgment is better than the ability of that individual woman to know it's in her own best interest? profound. profound when you think about the layers about what is involved in here. >> and -- another, you know, very important issue is -- is gunsno in our country, and president biden tapped you to oversee first ever white house of gun violence prevention. so what is the administration doing to address gun violence in the communities? >> so let's start with -- the very tragic fact that gun violence is the leading cause of deaths for children in america. not car accidents, not cancer, gun violence. number one cause of deaths. for children in america right now -- one in five americans have a family member that was killed by gun violence.

as i travel the country, you know, i talk with mothers and fathers who say a silence may be not so silent prayer when they drop their -- kid off at school or as they walk to the school bus. that they'll come home safe. i started a college tour last fall, again i just say i love gen-z i really do it is a gen-zted if you have member in your family but they're so spectacular gen-z they've -- think about first of all, the ecfact that this might be humblg for some. somebody was 18 today was born in 2006. >> that's when i -- >> i knew it was going to be humbling. and -- and for gen-z, for the most part they've only known the climate crisis. they have coined a term climate

anxiety to describe their fear of having children or aspiring to buy a home for fear it will be wiped out by extreme weather. they witness the killing of george floyd they lost fundamentalth faces of their education and socialism and height of the reproductive right take this right and when i did my college tour every time over 15,000 kids showed up by the way. i mean, in a packed auditorium often overflow rooms also tells you they were standing in line for hours in some cases not for a rock concert but to literally witness something like this. right? and i would ask every time, raise your hand i would ask the students if at any point between kindergarten and 12th grade you had active shooter drill. every hand went up. and i would also say that press all of the time i would ask the

press please attack a look at this. you would ask just keep your hands up at a field or adult it is bone chilling. so -- all of that to say that, when i believe that first of all, there's been a false choice that has been perpetuated including in this town that suggest you're either in favorite of the second amendment or you want to take everyone's guns away i'm in favor of the second amendment and we need assault weapon and red flag laws -- right? and given how our young leaders have experienced this, i mean, growing up in california, the colitissest thing i had to an active shooter drill was earthquake drill or a fire drill. right? and -- by the way fire drills happen like consistently and thankfully wens rarely see any fire in a school. gun violence, very different issue.

when our young leaders start voting in their numbers on some of of these issues i believe we're goapg see a change in terms of how we address it because -- our young leaders in particular are very practical and they want to see things done and what i love about them is they're not going to wait for us to figure it out. they're going to do it. they're going to do it. >> thank you. thank you madam that was great. these are two very, very tough issues subjects and i think -- hopefully we can, you know, see more hope and inspiration coming from not just us, not just you but the younger generation. >> on the subject we know that it visited -- that it visits itself on the asian community across the country whether it be atlanta, the president and i went down after those horrific killings of young women there. monterey park, and she's been extraordinary leader for her constituents i visitedded monterey park and the families.

not to mention, not only has it visited itself upon asian communities, but when you couple that with the anti-asian hate that has been spewed, especially in recent years. the fear is everywhere. and including, of course, in the asian community. >> yeah absolutely. we have great leaders that have done great things for our community. so one of my last questions ept to look into the future. a little bitit like you've donea lot with the leaders here to, you know, protect our freedom, to create opportunity, to strengthen our democracy like we've talked about. how are you thinking about the work ahead?pp and what can we do as a community to strengthen our future together? >> so the first thing is to know our power. and i think it's critically important to not ever let anybody silence your voice.

and to know it is not about asking permission to speak that is not going to get it. one need ngt and shouldn't wait for permission to speak there's so many issues that are facing us as a country. not to mention this, i mean, i am -- i have now vice president met over 150 world leaders, presidents, prime ministersrs chancellors and kings. many multiple times. the last three international trips i've took to the end of last year and beginning of this year were dubai for a presented for the united states on cup 28 the global climate conference i've went to the u.k. richie invited me to speak about my safety that we need in a.i. and then, this year at the munich security conference i spoke

about america's position as it relateson to many global issues and security issues. almost toan a one now i've met many of the leaders multiple times on a first hand basis. they came up to me, kamala i hope you guys are going to do all right many this election. understand that the power that we have right now that we must own and exercise will have an impact on people in our own country and people around the world. people who are fighting against corruption around the world will be impacted not can be. i believe will be -- you know, we as the united states we walk into these rooms around the globe with the self-appointed earned authority to talk about the importance of democracy rule of law. but i see a room full of role model when is you're a role model people watch what you do to see if it matches what you say.

i imagine some young women fighting for the right to be educated and autocrat saying you want to talk about the rights of women look at what the united states is doing. so, right now in particular, i say that this issue is about what's going to happen in the next 170-something days and everyone has to be heard. and demand that you be heard and -- and remind our families and our friendss and our community of their right and responsibility and duty dare i say. to answer a fundamental question at this point, what kind of country do we want to live in? as much as anything that's what's before us. and i will end my point, again, with great optimism based on everything i described about who our young leaders are.

but also what i know this group of leaders to be. we are parents. our children our grandparents, we here believe in the promise of america.. we believe in the promise of america. and this then becomes a moment where that belief has to spur us into actiono knowing that we cn determine its future. and that is our power. that is our power. >> thank you very much madam vice president onene more time. >> thank you. >> that was truly amazing. [applause] ♪ ♪ this is going to be fun. together i'm going to take a picture here and then you guys -- i'm a fan. smile.

[inaudible conversations] thank you. ♪ ♪ earlier today acting labor secretaryulie jew join biden administration officials as well as state and local leaders to speak at an infrastructure campus hosted by the u.s chamber of commerce in washington, d.c. this year's focus was on implementation of the bipartisan infrasucture law and other challenges and opportunities still ahead. watch the event tonight at 8:00 eaern on c-span2. c-span now our free mobile video app, or online at c-span.org. ♪ ♪

>> c-span washington journal, our live forum involving you to discuss the latest issues and government, politics and public policy. from washington, d.c., and across the country coming up wednesday morning, jacob of inside elections discussing key senate races to watch in campaign 2024 that will determine control of the senate. and then maryland and black voters in company of 2024 and international association of chief of police will johnson talks about national police week and associations priorities. c-span's washington journal join in the conversation live at 7 eastern wednesday morning on c-span, c-span now our free mobile app or c-span.org. ♪ ♪ on we wednesday federal officias testify on the jop going investigation into the collapse

of baltimore francis scott key bridge watch the house transportation infrastructure committee live at 10 a.m. eastern on c-span, c-span now our free mobile app or online at c-span.org. c-span has been delivering unfiltered congressional coverage for 45 years. here's a highlight from a key moment. >> stay with you, and chancellor, the slack, the symbol of -- in in war we stand, we fight and we will win because we are united. ukraine, america, and the entire war.