will be there.

>> coming up shortly, live coverage of the groundbreaking ceremony for the start of construction of the national museum of african-american history and culture. it will be built between the washington monument and the national museum of american history as a seventh level structure with the exhibit space below ground. at the staff has been collecting artifacts for years. the museum is scheduled to open in 2015. the museum does have a gallery in the current smithsonian's american history museum to showcase its newest selection. laura bush is on the advisory council to the museum. she will participate in the

groundbreaking. president obama will speak and we will hear from jon lewis. -- john lewis. [applause] [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome phylicia rashad. [applause] >> good morning. it is indeed an honor and privilege to welcome all of you here today for this ground- breaking ceremony of the smithsonian national museum of african-american history and culture. this is a milestone. this is a milestone moment, not only for the smithsonian but

for the united states. today, we take the first up in creating an iconic buildings that will house something truly wonderful. a museum with the power to change hearts and minds and ultimately, the nation. your being here today speaks to your support of this spectacular effort. creating this museum has captured the attention of government, private citizens and has also drawn on the commitment of corporate america a community groups, and school groups. today, we salute this undertaking with extraordinary music and inspiring speakers all in celebration of this moment and the american spirit. [applause]

♪ ladies and gentleman, the president of the united states and misses michelle obama. [applause]

please remain standing for the presentation of the colors by the smithsonian institution office of protection services honor guard and the national anthem performed by denyce graves.

♪ o, say can you see by the dawn's early light. what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's light last gleaming.

whose broad stripes and bgiths t -- bright stars through the perilous fight. o'er the ramparts we watched it were so gallantly streaming. and the rocket's red glare the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,. . o, say does that star-spangeled banner yet wave.

o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. ♪ [applause]

>> please join me in welcoming the abyssinian baptist church.

>> i am delighted to have been given this opportunity to say a word of inspiration concerning the national museum of african american history and culture. african-americans -- what is africa to me? copper sun or scarlet see? jungle track or regal black? when men -- women? three centuries removed from the land. spicy grove and cinnamon tree. what is africa to me? i sing america. i am the darker brother. when company would come, they would send me to the kitchen. that is all right. i was black and go to the kitchen. i would eat and grow fat. tomorrow, i would be at the table. company would come and they

would see how beautiful i am. no one would ever send me to the kitchen again. yes, i sing america. my country ties of thee. sweet land of liberty. of the icing. this may be the land of the pilgrim's pride, but it is also the land where my brothers and fathers died. let freedom ring. [applause] yes, let freedom ring. ring for the jaunty -- the aruba. dream of a world where man -- global breast the earth -- love will bless the earth. all will walk in freedom's way. dream of a world where black or white, whatever race you become a willing to the bounty of the

earth and everyone be free. credit -- wretchedness will shine its ugly head. of such a dream, our world. i have a dream today that everyone would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. everyone, the poor white -- everyone, the negro. everyone the red man pushed from deland. everyone the immigrant. oh yes america was never america for me, but yet i swear this oath. america will be an america is becoming because so many brave men and women have fought to preserve the integrity of the land of belfrey and the home of the brave. -- bed linen of the free and the

home of the brave. -- the land of the free and the home of the brace. -- brave . the 369th harlem hell fighters. the tuskegee airmen. america, america made by gold refined and tell our success -- barack obama in the white house. until all success, martin luther king jr. on the national mall. to all success the national museum of african-american history and culture. every game divine. peace be unto you. god bless america. [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome stanley thurston. [applause] >> music from the church has touched hearts and stirred souls for generations. it has suits in times of trouble and inspired the weary to do great and noble things. today, the heritage signature chorale will perform a landmark liturgical work "my soul is

angered in the lord." -- anchored in the lord." ♪ in the lord. in the lord.

my whole being anchored in the lord. my soul has been anchored in the lord. in the lord. my soul has been anchored in the lord. in the lord. my soul has been anchored in the lord. my sould has has been ahcnored in -- anchored in the lord. in the lord. in the lord. my lord. my soul has been anchored in the lord ♪

♪ in the lord. my lord. my soul has been anchored in the lord. god almighty. my sould hasl has been anchored in the lord. highly a. calusa-- hallelejuah.

my sould has been anchored in the lord ♪ [applause] >> souls during, indeed. -- soul-sitrringtirring, indeed. creating this museum is a grand endeavor. a grand endeavor in the visionary leadership of this country with courage and willingness to dream big. such a leader has been guiding the development of this museum for six years. his efforts have brought us this

moment and his guidance will take us to the day when the national museum of african- american history and culture opens its doors on this spot. please welcome the founding director of this museum, kibbue bybcg -- lonnie bunch. [applause] >> thank you. what a grand and glorious day. they said it was going to snow. [applause] president and misses obama members of congress, the smithsonian area, the presidential commission, the council, distinguished guests, and your friends. i am honored and humbled to welcome you to this ground- breaking ceremony for the newest museum of the smithsonian institution, the national museum

of african-american history and culture. i just love to say that. [applause] your presence today is a clear reminder of the unflagging support and leadership that you are provided today. we are at this moment. we have come this far, not by faith alone, but because of your belief in the importance of this museum. while there are too many donors and supporters to name, i want you to know just how much the smithsonian appreciates the support of president obama, the congress and of all the corporations foundations, and individuals in communities across america who have given so much to make this moment possible. i especially want to awknowledge the council of the museum that is co-chaired by two

members. you believe when there was not much to believe in. we are so grateful for your leadership. [applause] today, in the words of washington d.c. public lewis alexander, we call lost dream back. we begin to make manifest on this sacred space the dreams of many generations who fought for and believed there should be a place in the capital that will help all americans remember and honor african-american history and culture. equally important to this vision was the need to make a better all who visit the national museum by using african american culture as a lens to more

clearly understand what it means to be an american. so, with groundbreaking -- we market a major milestone. this museum must tell the unvarnished truth because this will be a museum that will have moments to make one cry or to ponder slavery and segregation. it will also be a signature museum, designed by a gifted architect of that source on the resiliency of a people. -- that soars on the resiliency of the people. it will remind us that there are few things as powerful as a people. a nation. there is nothing better than honoring all our ancestors by remembering that reverse history

of america. as with any endeavor of this sort, it has not been without challenges in difficult moments. the support has come from unexpected quarters. a man shined shoes in a texas airport to said to me, while he is unsure exactly what would be in a museum, he hopes it would be in his word open-" -- "the only place where his grandchildren learn about his life." the woman who cleans the museum reminded me that she is tired and able to retire but she wants to continue to work so she can claim at the museum. -- clean the museum. [applause] i would be remiss if i did not

think the entire smithsonian family for helping this museum make a way out of no way. the leadership -- i want to nod to patty for all our support. -- her support. [applause] i want to awknowledge the gift of the national museum of african-american history and culture. [applause] while i may stand in front of you, they do the work to make all things possible. during the great depression, historians were hired by the federal government to interview formerly enslaved african americans. toch when asked if the experience of being in slaved still mattered he answered,

though the slavery question excels the race question will be with us always. ideas on our highways. it is in our religion. it is in our thought. all the day, every day. what a gift you have all given by helping to burst this museum so that everyone who visits will realize that we are all touched shaped, and enriched by african- american history and culture all day, every day. q i very much. -- thank you very much. [applause] >> please welcome the mayor of the district of columbia, vincent gray. [applause] >> good morning. not to worry, we have decreed it that would be no more snow in

the district of columbia, ever. [laughter] it is my honor to greet you on this suspicious occasion here in our great city. you have gathered here today to break ground on the site that will provide the foundation much more than just another new building in washington, d.c. today's groundbreaking is a milestone that fulfills the dreams and aspirations of many generations and honors all of those on whose shoulders we stand at this point. this is a museum for all americans. it will celebrate every american story, not just black history. the fact that the museum will be completed in 2015 is significant. because, that year, we will celebrate the anniversary of two significant events in our nation's history. 2015 will mark both the 150th anniversary of the

constitutional abolition of slavery and the 50th anniversary of the voting rights act of 1965. [applause] the 13th amendment fundamentally change our constitution and our nation. the voting rights act allowed america to fulfill its promise. one of the great african- american leaders who helped guide our nation to live up to its own creek now has a monument dedicated to him not far from here. just last month, we celebrated dr. martin luther king jr.'s birth. a few months ago, we dedicated his memorial. another national monument that was a long time coming. his dream was that we could all come together to make our nation and our world a better place. his message was not for one

racial group, but for all people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and creeds. this museum will be a tangible manifestation of dr. king's dream. as the mayor of a city that is central to the story of freedom for all americans, i eagerly anticipate the completion of the national museum of african- american history and culture. i am proud of the district of columbia for being its home. thank you very much. i look forward, as all of you do to 2015 where we will reconvene for the official opening of our new museum. thank you very much. [applause] >> we all know that the smithsonian institution is a place of learning.

it is a place where history art, and culture comes alive in a vibrant way. helping to make sure this has happened is a force behind the annual folk life festival, which draws more than 1 million people to the national mall 40 of glory this week's -- ford two glorious weeks. he helps guide the work of the history and culture museum, including the one for which we are breaking ground today. it gives me great pleasure to present at the smithsonian's undersecretary for history, art, and culture. [applause] good morning. -- >> good morning.

only once in a generation have citizens in leadership of this country gathered to sink a shovel into the ground of this national mall to establish a museum, a library, an archive or gallery. let us reflect on the history that we -- leaves -- leads us here today. in february of 1862, with the civil war raging, the smithsonian hosted a series of abolition reflections. president abraham lincoln leading officials and audiences attended. newspaper coverage assured of the nation knew about these elections. their aim was to convince the president to end slavery. week after week at the smithsonian, people spoke.

frederick douglass the great american auditor, -- or a tour was scheduled to give comments. such were the divisions in america that joseph henry science adviser to the president, said, i will not allow a black man to speak in the rooms of the smithsonian. frederick douglass was denied his place in the national museum. the irony was that the secretary's most reliable staff member was an african-american poet, self educated scientist. he built the exhibits. he made the -- he served for 54 years. many other followed ground. they developed programs to leave the institution.

the historical record is checked. notably, in 1891, the smithsonian's nationals to open its grounds to african- americans on easter monday, given that the community was not allowed to participate in the celebrations on the white house floor. well into the 20th century curators purposely excluded african-american history. in 1947, the dependence of christian tried to integrate the collections by donating the medal of honor this black soldier had one. -- won. they were rebuffed until the secretary of the smithsonian intervened. in 1968, many advised closing the smithsonian museum to keep the people out. the secretary did the opposite.

keeping the doors open extra hours in order to let everyone in. we have come a long way since joseph henry uttered those words. we cannot change what he said, but we can correct it. with this building, we can proudly say, frederick douglass's words will be heard in the rooms of the smithsonian. [applause] so too, will the voices of millions of others. this museum makes for more of the inclusive -- and inclusive smithsonian and america. this is good for this country and the world. the co-chairs of the advisory council have played key leadership roles in assuring that we hear that many

compelling voices of our nation's history. please give a warm welcome. [applause] >> on behalf of the advisory council of the smithsonian's 19th museum, the national museum of african-american history and culture, we would like to extend our appreciation for you sharing this incredible moment with us. we would like to thank all our founders. it is an honor to celebrate with president obama and mrs. obama.

a fabulous honor. [applause] your all dignitaries. i would like to make mention that the district representatives are here as well as some many of our great reporters -- supporters and distinguished guests. all of you have helped achieve this milestone. one of the things i would like to do, because nobody gets anything done by themselves or even with a beautiful partner. we have a council that has been with us on this journey and with lonnie. i would like them to stand and receive your applause. [applause]

if i can be allowed one moment for personal reflection before i turn it over to linda. this of the victims of this date to me. -- the significance of this date to me. history is written by the women. history is written by the women. to me, the reality of this museum puts in! an exclamation mark that after 400 years of tragedy and turmoil and turbulence, we won. [applause] >> well said. as members of this council, we have had the pleasure of witnessing a vision take place. this will encourage us to

remember reflect, and rejoice. one that will help us better understand the whole optimism, strouble determination and triumph of the american story. today, we will break ground for a museum that has been a long time in the making. i am delighted to introduce one of the champions that made it a reality. congressman john lewis is a symbol. the last surviving speaker from the 1963 march on washington and a hero of the civil rights era. in february 2011, john lewis received the presidential medal of freedom. the nation's highest honor. [applause] he sponsored the legislation in the house of representatives to establish this museum. ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the honorable john

lewis. [applause] >> good morning. >> good morning. >> thank you, window for those kind words of introduction. --thank you linda for those kind words of introduction. what we witnessed today it will go down in history. it is the substance and

validation of our dreams. it is the moment our people protested, strouble, and longed for. it is the moment millions of our ancestors believed in. it is that point of critical mass when an idea become so powerful it leaves the rims of inspiration and becomes visible, even to the untrained eye. this is an idea whose kind -- time has come. when i think about all it took to reach this point the civil war veterans who took up the calls many decades ago and the long years of silence -- what i think about the plane crash that killed one champion from rural

alabama who spent more than half of his congressional career introducing the museum to you only to have it end in the back partisan effort -- in a bipartisan effort. this reminds me of the words of one of my favorite poets, langston hughes. the name of the poem is harlem. he says, "what happened to a dream deferred? does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? infected like a sore? maybe it just sags like a heavy load ." today, we must think the white house and the congress -- think the white house and congress.

the smithsonian board of regents, the secretary the director of the national museum of african-american history and culture. in the entire staff. -- and the entire staff. it is these people who have taken a dream deferred and help it find it placed -- its place in history. this is the beginning. there is still much work to do. we must not shrink. we must call upon the courage of those who were in the strouble long before any of us were born. -- in the struggle before any of

us were born. we have to tell the story of african-american contribution to this nation's history from slavery to the present. it without anger or apology. the problem we face today makes it clear there is still a great deal of pain that needs to be healed. the story told in this building can speak the truth that has the power to set the nation free. i look forward to lonnie bunch. i look forward to the day where i can search through bid archives, participate in the programs rest my tired feet in the cafe -- [laughter]

and the inside the granite walls of the history whose time has finally come. we did not give up. we did not get lost in a sea of despair. we kept our faith. we kept our eyes on the prize. thank you. [applause] >> thank you. inspiring. it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you another renowned supporter of the new museum. governor sam brownback served 14 years in the senate prior to becoming the governor of kansas.

his commitment is based on his deep commitment to human rights. while in the senate, he called on the u.s. to condemn the genocide in sudan and introduce legislation to ban him and trafficking around the world. governor brown back sponsored the legislation in the senate to establish this museum. please join me in welcoming governor sam brownback. [applause] >> what a great honor -- what a great honor to be here with you. this is a momentous occasion and i am proud to be a part of it. in kansas, we have a sense of history and destiny. we are one of the few states that was formed for a cause.

our cause was to end the barbaric practice of slavery. john brown was one of our most famous residents. the president was also a resident of kansas, at one time. john brown's legacy is a mix of righteousness, violence, and zealotry. his cause was the undoing of the enormous crime of slavery. before he was executed for treason, he spoke these haunting words. "i, john brown, and now certain that the crimes of this deal to land will never be seen -- will never be purged away but by blood. " a great deal of blood was shed. the nation had a long way to go before we could realize the goals laid forth in our founding documents. blatant bigotry, a casual

disrespect and an ever-present disregard to the dignity of african americans was the role and not the exception in our land. this even after legal segregation was ended. after dr. king marched on washington. after rosa parks refused to give up her seat. after those three shots rang out in memphis and another american poet and profit was called home to be with the lord. the african-american people have experienced the worst of our shortcomings as a nation. the shortcomings of justice. compassion. humanity. this museum will allow the culture and the identity of the african-american people to be celebrated as one that chet these unconscionable circumstances, met unparalleled challenges, and rose to an unimaginable achievement. the groundbreaking of this

museum could not be more timely. some good cynically see it as an attempt to gloss over the sins of the past or to pay back the injustices. it is neither of those things. it is a celebration of a uniquely american triumph of will. to consider this museum and airing of grievances is to sell its georgia. it is -- sell it short. it is a celebration of the triumph of the african american people. [applause] this museum cannot be for caucasian grandchildren to see how awful the crimes of the password. or for the african-american children to see how their past was treated. this is to see that triumph of

great americans. [applause] in 1957, dr. king wrote these words -- "the end is reconciliation. the end is redemption. the end is the creation of the beloved community. we are one step closer to that vision today. god bless you all an thank you for being there. [applause] >> learning american history through listening to music could be considered a short cuts. that is unless the teacher is the star, thomas hampson.

then it is being transported. he is revered for his interpretation. he has long been an advocate of american songs. he graces this celebration with works by two american composers. [applause] ♪

♪ morning angel silence your way and raise your head from your hands. weeping angel on your pinions trailing -- the white dove stands. weeping angel --

♪ ♪ morning angel silence your way and raise your head from your hands ♪

[applause] ♪ tis the gift to be simple. tis the gift to be free. tis the gift to come down where you ought to be and when we find ourselves in a place just right, it will be in the valley of love and the like. we shouldn't reshape -- turn.

♪ tis the gift to be simple. tis the gift to be free. tis the gift to come down where you ought to be. when we find ourselves in a place just right it will be in the valley of love and delight. ♪ [applause]

>> lady sentiment, returning to new -- to you lonnie bunch. >> as i mentioned, this museum is because of a wonderful array of supporters. i want to it knowledge our youngest donors. -- awknowledge or young as donors. when students learned of the museum, they started an effort entitled to make a change with change. last year, the students collected $600 inclines to present to the museum. -- in coins to present to the museum. [applause]

today, they are here with their second gift. please welcome them. thank you. [applause] [laughter] [applause] [laughter] [applause] >> as we say in my neighborhood,

cash makes no enemies. let us be friends. [laughter] i am so moved by that. i want to thank them so much. it join me in thanking the montessori school. [laughter] >> generosity comes in all sizes. no list of american composers is complete without the name edward kennedy ellington. duke ellington. he called his music, american music, not jazz. brethren jazz. he gave america memorable music for more than 50 years as a composer and a band leader and a pianist. there is one pianist that keeps the ellenton legacy alive.

his name is jason moran. last summer he walked away with three major awards be -- best pianist, jazz album of the year, and artist of the year. today he is performing the ellington classic "i like the sunshine." please welcome jason moran. [applause] ♪

♪

♪

♪ ♪

♪

[applause] >> that was jason moran. the smithsonian magazine recently dubbed him "keeper of the keys." after that rendition of "i like the sunrise," i think we all know why. [applause] thank you. every day millions experience the wonder of the smithsonian.

children engage with timeless artwork in all of its museums. teachers spark the fascination of teenagers with science lessons. researchers navigate the badness of the ocean and explore the biodiversity of panama. guiding is dr. wayne clough. he is overseeing a program which includes the construction of the smithsonian's 19th museum. we are breaking ground today. [applause] with a doctorate in civil

engineering from the university of california, he was president of the georgia institute of technology in atlanta. as head of the smithsonian since 2008 he has put the smithsonian's attention into what he calls for a grand challenges. -- four grand challenges. unlocking the mysteries of the universe valuing world cultures, and understanding the american experience. it is with honor that i present to you, dr. wayne clough. [applause] >> thank you. thank you. thank you very much. thank you for that very kind introduction. wow. what a beautiful day. it is an honor to be here with president obama mrs. obama, all of these distinguished guests

and wonderful friends who are here. it is a remarkable day. at the smithsonian we strive to provide a way for america to see the world and indeed the world can see america. today that picture comes sharply into focus. the national museum of african- american history and culture ads essential chapters to the american story. voices silence in the past will be heard here, and now, and in the future. we realize this dream thanks to the generosity of the administration congress, and the american people. working together, we bring americans -- america's treasures to americans across the country around the world, and best of all, it is all free. [applause]

no inflation here. [applause] when this was started, there was a staff of exactly two. no concrete had yet been poured for this museum, but lonnie had created a strong foundation for it because today he is more than 20,000 artifacts. in addition to education programs and a vibrant exhibitions, in 2015, visitors will witness the history when this new building opens its doors to america and the world. it will join our 18 other smithsonian museums which tell the stories of all of the people who made this country great. our existing museums and this secretary will support lonnie and this museum. allowing us to fully speak to african-american's contributions to art history culture, and

science. many call this the edit -- the museum advisory council. and for helping bring all of this project to fruition. we are honored to welcome president mrs. obama. thank you for being with us. [applause] thank you so much for encouraging many smithsonian initiatives. we are here thanks to the leadership of many. president and mrs. bush were essential. local officials made it happen. this was a bipartisan effort echoing this museum's message of unity. what a magnificent location to view the powerful symbolism. it is a fitting home for this museum invoking the thread of

the american tapestry. even as we break ground on the national mall, i want to make sure the entire country watching our web cast and we reach way beyond the nation's capital. if you cannot come to us, we come to you via a new technology and our 170 locations around the country and our traveling locations. so that the teachers and students were watching, imagine your school in a few years and what you might receive in terms of information from this museum. maybe a hologram of martin luther king might walk right of the steps of the lincoln memorial and into your classroom. but we do not have to wait for the future. we have the world in the palms of our hands today. that is where you'll find the missing bone in -- where you'll find the smithsonian. we add to the voices that

inspire us to recall the past and eliminate the presence and ensure a better future for all. thank you very much. [applause] thank you. [applause] so please welcome a valued friend to this smithsonian, and one of the dedicated council member, mrs. laura bush. [applause] >> thank you, all. thank you everybody. thank you very much. thank you so much. thank you. thank you very much. thank you for that introduction and good morning to everyone. good morning president and mrs. obama. director lonnie bunch and all of our distinguished guests and everyone who joined for this important location. it is especially fitting that we

are dedicating this plot of land on our national mall for a museum that remembers reveres and celebrates the great struggles and even greater contributions that african- americans have made to our nation's history. just down the road from here, both the white house and the capital were built in part by the labor of african american slaves. we do not know most of their names, but they left a lasting legacy in the bricks and stones and beautiful craftsmanship that now houses our democracy's most of vital institutions. hear too in this city is where a young congressman named abraham lincoln was horrified by the sight of a slave pens standing near the grounds of the capital. a year later president lincoln would sign the transforming

emancipation of proclamation. here is where the great abolitionist fredrick douglas, came to offer counsel to lincoln. it was welcomed by the president into the white house. here on this very mall is where the rev. martin luther king, jr., stood and cheered his dream of a nation where we are all measured by the content of our character and where we join together at one table, the table of brotherhood. here in this city is also where president lyndon johnson fought for and signed the landmark civil rights act of 1964. today, african-americans helped lead our nation in all facets of life from government to the military to the law from business to the arts to medication.

this museum will share those stories and pay tribute to the many lives known and unknown that have so immeasurably reached our nation. the fabric of american history and culture began as a bipartisan effort through legislation sponsored by john lewis and max cleveland. my husband, president bush, was proud to sign it into law in 2003. and to envision the museum to be built on the mall where we honor artists, inventors, explorers, soldiers and statesman. i am particularly proud of the museum's vision which is dedicated not simply to this building, but also to reaching out to communities around the nation. the museum has already begun traveling exhibitions and

artifact preservation programs. it is a museum dedicated to welcoming all americans, whether or not they will be able to travel to washington, d.c. i am glad, too, that this building will stand next to the monument to our first president george washington. a man who fought for liberty and two came to recognize the evil of bondage, freeing his slaves in his will. side by side, these two spots are symbolic of our own national journey. for the stories that will be preserved within these walls the stories of suffering and perseverance, of darien, of imagination, and of triumph are the stories of african americans. but there also stories that are for ever woven through the heart of the fabric of our nation. thank you all and god bless you all. [applause]

>> is my honor to introduce a friend, a scholar, a two-time this is, and morris apparently, a new chair of the smithsonian board and my boss, christopher douglas. [applause] >> mr. president, mrs. obama honored guests, good morning. on behalf of the board, i would like to welcome all of you here to this incredible ceremony.

i would like to also congratulate the council of american history and culture. the museum's dedicated staff and the founding director, lonnie bunch on achieving this historic milestone. [applause] that we are breaking ground for the construction of the museum's permanent home is a testament of a shared vision and hard work. in 2003 they were honored when congress passed and bush signed legislation establishing the national museum of african- american history and culture within the smithsonian. since that time, the regents have made opening the museum our number one priority. the legislation also passed regents with want to be particularly relevant to our gathering today.

we were asked to six -- to select the site for the new museum. over the course of two years, we listen to a passionate discourse on the museum through public town halls and on the internet. we consulted closely with the museum council and other stakeholders. we considered a number of attractive alternatives, but in the end our decision was easy. we recognize that the story of african-american culture and history is essential to the story of america. it is a story that we believe can be best told from america's front yard -- the national mall. here, at the foot of the national monument. next to the museum of american history, in view of the capital, and within blocks of the white house.

sometimes location is indeed everything. this side underscores the smithsonian and the nation's commitment to telling the whole american story. as a scientist and educator, i was taken with some recent photographs of president obama hosting students at a science fair at the white house. by opening the white house doors to outstanding young student scientists, the president sends an important and inspiring message to young americans. that science and learning are critical to the future of this nation and a top priority for us all. [applause] since 1846, the smithsonian has been opening its doors to

scientists artists, or those just seeking to learn more about themselves, the nation, and the world. we are grateful to the president and mrs. obama for their inspiring support of education, the smithsonian, and it's wonderful and important new museum. it is now my great honor and privilege to welcome the president of the united states. [applause] >> thank you. [applause] thank you. thank you so much. [applause] thank you so much. [applause] thank you very much. [applause] good morning everybody. i want to thank france for that

introduction and for her leadership at the smithsonian. i want to thank everybody who helps make this day happen. i want to thank laura bush, secretary salazar sam my hero, congressman john lewis wayne clough, everyone who is made this possible. i am so proud of lonnie who came here from chicago, i want to point out. [applause] i remember having a conversation with him about this job when he was starting to embark on an extraordinary journey. i cannot be more proud of the work he has done. i promised to do my part by being briefed. as others have mentioned this day has been a long time coming. the idea for a museum dedicated to african-americans was first

put forth by black veterans of the civil war. years later the call was picked up by members of the civil- rights generation. by men and women who knew how to fight for what is right and prescribe for what is just. this is their day. this is your day. it is an honor to be here to see the fruits of your labor. it is also fitting that this museum has found a home on the national mall. as has been mentioned, it was on this ground long ago that lives were once traded. where hundreds of thousands once marched for jobs for freedom. it was here that the pillars of our democracy were built often by black hands. it was a long piece -- it was

along the spite of the monuments for those who gave birth to this nathan -- for this nation, those who worked to perfect it. the generation will sometimes remembered difficult often inspiration, but always central roles that african-americans played for this country. this museum will celebrate that history. our earliest days have been confined to dusty letters and faded pictures. the time will come when few people remember drinking from a colored water fountain. or boarding a segregated bus. or hearing in person dr. king's voice from the lincoln memorial. that is why what we built here will not be an achievement from our time, but will be a monument for all time. it will do more than simply keep those memories alive.

just like the space museum challenges to set our sights higher or the national museum encourages us to look closer or the holocaust museum calls for us to fight persecution wherever we find it. this museum should inspire as well. to stand as proof that the most important things in life rarely come quickly or easily. it should remind us that although we have yet to reach the mountaintop, we cannot stop climbing. that is why in moments like this i think about my daughter's. i think about my daughters and i think about your children. millions of visitors who will stand where we stand a long after where -- long after we are gone. i think about what i want them to experience. i think about what i want them to take away. when our children look at

harriet tubman's shaw or the plane flown by a -- , i do not want them to be seen as figure somehow larger-than-life. i want them to see how ordinary americans can do extraordinary things. how men and women just like them had the courage and determination to right a wrong and make it right. i want my daughters to see the shackles that bound us slaves on their voyage across the ocean and the sharp glass that flew from the 16th street baptist church and understand that in justice and evil exists in the world. but i also want them to hear and learn about the negro league and read the poems. i want them to appreciate this as not just a record of tragedy but as a celebration of life.

when future generations hear the songs of pain and progress and struggle and sacrifice, i hope it will not think of them as somehow separate from the larger american story. i want them to see it as a central part of our shared story. a call to remember that each of us is made in god's image. that is the history we will preserve within these walls. the history of a people who in the words of dr. king, it injected new meaning and dignity into the veins of civilization. may we remember their stories. may we live up to their example. thank you, god bless you, and god bless the united states of america. [applause]

>> at this time i would like to invite the groundbreakers to gather at the steps of the stage here.

once you are ready with your instruments. [laughter] i would like to invite everyone to join me in the countdown. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. break ground. [applause]

>> for the finale, it will be led by combined choirs.

accompanied by the u.s. navy band. we also have -- we also ask our guests to come and join us. let's welcome to the stage denise and thomas. [applause] ♪

♪ ♪ of a new day begun

luset us march on till victory is won ♪ ♪ stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod felt in the days when hope unborn had died yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet come to the place for which our father's signed ♪

♪ ♪

♪

lest our feet, stray from the places our god where me met thee lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world we forget thee shadowed beneath thy hand, may we forever stand true to our god, true to our native land ♪ [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen. please stand as the president and first lady depart. [applause]

>> before i say goodbye, would you please join me in honoring the wonderful work done today by phylicia rashad. [applause] well, there was supposed to be a voice of god, but you have to settle for me. [laughter] please enjoy yourself. we are having a reception and again, let me thank you very much. this means a great deal to dismiss any that you came, that you care, and that you are a part of this. thank you all very much. [applause]

>> just want to let you know you'll be able to see all of

this soon on our video library on c-span.org. it also, tonight. republican presidential candidate mitt romney holds a rally in chandler, arizona. arizona is holding its primary next tuesday along with michigan. you heard from president obama earlier about the groundbreaking. today, he is going to propose to cut the corporate tax rate from 35% to 20%. he wants an even lower rate for manufacturers. -- to 28%. in turn, there will have to give up subsidies they now enjoy. we will hear more on that with the white house briefing. we will have that right after mitt romney's campaign of sen. primetime tonight on the c-span network, here on c-span a discussion on the world economic forum from the jobless

switzerland. -- davos switzerland. c-spanto has booktv prime time. it begins at 7:00 eastern. and his book, the emergency stay. america's support -- america's pursuit of rigid at all costs. for the next round of presidential primaries is next tuesday. arizona and michigan. and this morning, on of a " washington journal they talked about the role of abortion and women's rights and the 2012 campaign cycle. we will show you as much as we can until mitt romney begins at about 11:50. >> eleanor is the president of the foundation.

let's get into it right away. i want to show our viewers what the former pennsylvania senator rick santorum had to say at a campaign event outside of town -- columbus ohio. [video clip] >> what to do not know is there require free prenatal testing. why? because it saves money. why? because free prenatal testing and support more abortions and therefore less care that has to be done. because we called the ranks of the disabled in our society. host: what is your reaction to hearing that? guest: i am alarmed. he is a person who questions americans' basic access to health care.

worried that couples are choosing abortion without fully considering that the child could lead a happy, fulfilling life. about one in 800 babies has down's syndrome, in which have a day extra chromosome causes mental retardation. but, this group was up to set up the habit of telling lies. that is behind what rick santorum had to say there. there is a dignity of human life that he is trying to go after. guest: women have a conscious. couples do. the government should not be making these decisions. individuals should be making this decision with the best medical advice they can get for the day. these of the folks to keep saying they want smaller government. yet, they want to ensure the personal lives of people. host: and then have the contraception issue that has

been talked about and the last few weeks. republicans cannot shake birth control issue. she says in an interview that santorum has given on the topic of birth control in 2006 he always stresses that he supports funding for contraception. he has also said he would strenuously sub -- soppose birth control. to really believe a guy who would bomb iran is hiding his true intentions? guest: he wants to challenge griswold vs. connecticut, in other words, reverse it and make the state decided they can ban contraception. then he goes on to say, of course no one will do it. then why does he want it repealed? it is double caught -- double talk. they want to appear more moderate when he gets up. but they are questioning whether

birth control should be generally available in our country. host: what you make of that all these women's issues are being highlighted? guest: it is shocking. we're going back to the 1970's. something like 90% of americans use birth control and they want to make a controversial. also, as if we do not have a conscious. in other words, the only people who can decide this is big brother. not the individuals. and yet these of the people who are saying it wanted ltd. and small government, but not when it comes to women's lives. they want to prove they are moral by regulating women and frankly endangering their health. when you talk about limiting access to prenatal testing you're also talking about taking away from women modern science.

not only for pregnancies, but the health of the woman. host: in an opinion piece in the paper. he says it is not about women's issues. he says, it is the government, which is not accept religious choice and can punish that choice by imposing a fine. but under the constitution and federal laws, we cannot be forced to give up our beliefs at the price of participation in the public square. that is why it the fund for religious liberty has filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn this illegal mandate. the obama's demonstration on ruling.

in their case, they are the insurer. guest: no. in fact, it is very clear. to allow the use of birth control without copays or deductibles reduces costs for insurance companies. it is not costing them anything. all the actuary tables say this. that is a false argument. it is a false argument. they want to put on to other people their religious beliefs. well the individual policyholder has that decision. the individual employee. the individual student. they have lost in public opinion. women and men have made up their mind. they want to use birth control. host: religious freedom -- guest: what religious freedom? the religious freedom of the institution remove from the person? or the freedom of the individual? that is what we're talking about. should the per -- should some bishops as i have the only

conscious that counts? or should the individual have a conscience. women have moral compasses. to our police not count? does our help not count? that is the important thing. with birth control been excepted -- accessible, women's health improves. infant mortality rates go down. illnesses go down. but most importantly, women's health improves. this is -- one of the things that gets me is 25% of all contraceptions are not even prescribe for birth control. their prescribed for things like ovarian cysts conditions that affect women. are we going to limit this usage? is a woman going to have to prove what she is using it for? and and try to prove it, the injured? all of this is really big

brother, not individuals. we're talking about religious liberty. i thought it was for people, not institutions that have made up their minds, regardless of what the facts are. host: politically, "the philadelphia inquirer" has this headline -- obama boosted by birth control stance. the majority of americans especially women, are in favor of this ruling. and that possibly the gop candidates -- in madrid from your perspective, are democrats doing enough to take advantage if you will, of the popularity of the obama stands? guest: i think they are very aware of what is happening in the polls. i have seen different polls, so do not hold me on that. but it is a big gap. surely they are aware of it.

i think more importantly they are aware of the need for women. they're looking out for women's interests. women pay right now 40%. -- 48%. it provides for maternity care. the preventive care package which we are arguing about not only provides birth control without copays, sexually transmitted diseases, mammograms, cancer screenings, these are all things that save women's lives and improve their health. you bet that women want it. host: let me show the breakdown of women voters in the 2008 election. 78 million registered voters. 56% voted for president obama. 43% voted for john mccain.

01% voted other. this is from the census.gov website. just to give our viewers some context. back to the birth control issue. we understand that house democrats want to hold a hearing on this ruling in response to the house oversight committee last week when there were no women on the panel. this hearing would be held by the democratic committee put together by minority leader nancy pelosi. here is political with an update on that story. it says that democrats could not get a woman on to the all-male panel. now they have invited her to testify as their own unofficial hearing. they say the republicans will not let them televise it. nancy pelosi is organizing a democratic steering and policy event on thursday to allow center fluke to testify --

sandra fluke. that is from politico. we have looked into coverage of this hearing. go to our web site, c-span.org to see if cameras will be allowed and when and where our cameras will be there. let's get to phone calls. phone lines are lighting up on this issue. women issues in campaign 2012. democratic caller in ohio. go ahead. caller: good morning. but number one, i will make a prediction right now. president obama will be reelected. he is great. i love him. host: hold on for one second. we're going to try to fix the volume. i will listen, and will try to

fix her volume. caller: i basically have a comment. number one, that president obama will be reelected. i want to also address the hypocrisy of santorum. four years ago there was a program 2020 with cynthia mcfadden. he was on there and he marched with doctors against medical malpractice. when they discovered later his wife had sued her chiropractor. that is hypocrisy. number 2, i have catholic friends who use birth control. i know catholics who have had abortions. i want the pope i want the bishops, and what the priest out of women's lives. take care of the pedophile

priests in the catholic church. worry about them more than what women do with their bodies. thank you. host: before you go -- as she hung up, i guess. oh, she is still there. do you think the obama administration is doing enough on this issue? that is, pushing back enough politically against rick santorum? caller: i think in the coming months he has to get tougher. they have got to basically, i am sorry, get down in the mud like newt gingrich, rick santorum, you know he gets up there every day. there is another reality show. they are evangelicals. but just had their 20th child. they're making money off of this reality tv show. host: let me jump in. do you agree with molly that they need to get tougher? guest: let's be real.

the obama administration is the reason we have this note copays for birth control for most american women now. it will go into effect on august 12. so basically it was his accommodation that took away one of the biggest arguments which we thought was funny in the first is of the bishops. let's be real. the reason he is going up is because the american public are finally figuring out what is happening here. because there has been a lot of misinformation. even on the affordable care act this is a big advance for women. that is why every women's group has been fighting for years for better health care for women. they are enthusiastically behind it. it is an advance. this is an effort to derail the entire act. let's be real here. remember the bishops opposed to the affordable care act and the first place. now it is clear.

it is clear they are trying to take away medicine from women that helped their health. host: want to get your take on another issue, this one coming from virginia. the house again delays measures -- national attention to the ultrasound bill seems a particular concern. that is the headline in the richmond times courtesy of the museum. and then, let me show our viewers that. and if i could borrow your "washington post" here. it says, "the governorships stand." until this weekend his aides had said he would sign the measure if it made it to his desk. now he strongly opposes

abortion now no longer make that commitment. guest: let's be real what this is. this is not just any ultrasound bill. this is the early stages that they can insert into a woman's vagina a probe for this ultrasound against her consent. that is less and people are calling state-sponsored rate. it meets the definition of rape. you are inserted into her vagina and opted against her consent. that is what was voted on by the house which is controlled by republicans. by the way, this has become very divisive with republicans not only the state level but at the federal level. voting for these interests of, unnecessary medically -- in fact the doctor's recommendation orders because they want to prove how pure they are in trying to obstruct women's access to reproductive health. host: david, a republican. go ahead. caller: i wanted to ask how you

felt about the fact that our presidents voted to allow a baby from a botched abortion to die on the operating table after it was aborted. it was born alive. let me finish please. how'd you feel about allowing an innocent baby to die and i also want to ask you about how you feel about margaret sanger, the racist white woman who founded planned murder hood, the country's largest abortion clinic provider who said that she believed black women did not have a right to give birth. she was clearly a racist. host: i will have eleanor smeal respond. guest: that is a distortion. the president never did that, and margaret sanger never said that. these are extreme, and ridiculous, really, charges. no one is for killing babies

outside of the womb. that is not an issue here. we're talking about abortion that mostly happens in the first trimester. when they want to insert this probe into the vagina, we are talking about size of sells that are the size of a grain of rice or beans. if you're not talking about a baby. also, they're not attacking contraception, birth control. -- they are now attacking contraception, birth control and this whole thing of margaret sanger is a distortion of reality. the reality is birth control today, and let's talk about today, not some time in the past, it helps women's lives controlling their reproductive lives, and having them as a family make their own decisions, not some politician. host: here is an e-mail from

jane. i keep hearing the contraception edict is needed because women need access to birth control. as far as i can tell, most women already have access to birth control, including women who work for catholic institutions. since all women currently have access to it, why should religious institutions, as well as any private employer have to provide contraceptives free of charge? guest: all women do not have access. it is very expensive. it could be $55 and hire a month. it is the highest out-of-pocket expense. the reason you want to make it available is so people can make these decisions. as i said, it is not just used for birth control. we know that the preventive health care package saves

problems, saves money. so, it is not a cost to the insurers. it is a benefit to women's health. host: what about getting access to it from other institutions like planned parenthood? guest: planned parenthood is not free. it is on a sliding scale. what these people want to do is cut off all funding to planned parenthood. remember, the republican controlled house of representatives voted not only to eliminate all funding for planned parenthood, but all family planning. why are you forcing people to have children against their will that they cannot afford to take care of? it makes no sense. it makes no sense to you are trying to control women's lives, as if they are some pawn literally injuring women's health. host: james, an independent in

saint louis, missouri. caller: as an independent, i personally do not believe in abortion, what to do with these kids that are born, that are disabled? what about the kids in africa? does he send money to them? what do we do with these children? i do not think we should kill babies at all, but what should we do once we have them? that is the problem. it is not the solution. our morality it is out of whack. everyone is ready to jump on the next person, what we do after the fact? do we give them to the catholic church? will there adopt all of them? -- they adopt all them? >> a reminder, you can see all

of this at our video library at c-span.org. mitt romney is speaking ahead of tonight's debate. here is a congressman on stage. live coverage is getting underway. >> welcome to ground zero right here in chandler arizona. i wanted to pass on a message. i know we have a lot of our youth here today. they are very nervous about their country. they do not want us to keep dumping our debt on their back. we send them to our borders and pass laws to push them back, and then we give them our bill. i do not want to give our children my bill any more. we have a young man finding out here for our children. he has come a long way to reach

out to arizona, the most conservative state in america. [cheers and applause]the the most. i know this is true because we have been through these times to get there. the speaker of the house of state of arizona, we have cut this government and reduced to vertexes. no one has defended the border more than the state of arizona. [cheers and applause] i want to introduce to you another great conservative from right here. would you please welcome with may, congressman jeff weighingayne. [cheers and applause] >> thank you. i am glad to be here with my wife.

we have five children as well. this is mitt romney country right here in arizona. [cheers and applause] let me tell you why i support mitt romney. over the last three and a half years, we have watched this country pile on $5 trillion of new debt. we have tried to convince this president as hard as we can as republicans in washington to stop this spending and borrowing from our kids and grandkids, but we cannot convince him. we have sat by while we -- while we have seen regulations pile onto this country. we have tried to convince this president this is not the way to go. the great thing is about the fourth year of a four-year term, you do not have to convince the president of anything anymore.

you just have to replace him. [cheers and applause] so when this president proposes to have another deficit of $1.40 trillion, why do we need to do? replace him! when this president gives hundreds of millions of dollars to companies like selling draw and proposes to do more things like that, what do we need to do? when this president proposes to have new regulations that will make it difficult to climb out of this recession, we do not need to convince him. what do we need to do? >> replace him! >> we need somebody in this country who can turn it around. we need a turnaround at.

when the winter olympics needed somebody who needed to fix the situation, who did they turn to? mitt romney. when the state of massachusetts faced a huge debt and had to have somebody turned that state around, who did they turn to? >> mitt romney! >> when our country is deep in debt $6 trillion, who do we need to turn this country around? >> mitt romney! >> this is arizona's birthday. we are 100 years old this year. we had the good fortune to have the birthday present of being able to wake up in this state every day, to be able to have 77-degree weather today in february. to be in a state where the beauty of the sunset is only eclipsed by the sunrise the next morning. we can not share that all with

the rest of the country. but one thing we can do is have an election here six months from now, and we can put mitt romney over the top. [cheers and applause] by putting a fiscal conservative like mitt romney over the top, we can propel him to the republican nomination for the republican party and then on to the white house. [cheers and applause] please join me in welcoming the next president of the united states, mitt romney and his wife. [cheers and applause]

>> thank you. how many students are from tri- city christian? thank you for letting me use your school. i brought a friend with me. when i was in high school, there

was a sophomore in the frewho was very attractive. i went to a party and she came with someone else. i went to the guy that she came with and i said i live closer to her than you do. can i give her a ride home for you? [laughter] we have been going steady ever since. my girlfriend, anne romney. [cheers and applause] >> hi. i love seeing so many students. you are wearing the school shirt and integrate. you better watch out. whoever you date and high school you may end up marion. we have been married for 32 years and have five married sons and 16 grandchildren. i will tell you the greatest joy

i have is being a grandmother. the best part of it is watching my grandchildren misbehave. i get the biggest kick out of its. i think the boys deserve every minute of stress. it is great to have had mitt reminding me what i was doing was more important than what he was doing. but this time, he has a big job ahead of him. i will be supporting him and helping him and being by his side and knowing that the decisions he will be making are going to be hard ones. i think character matters. i think it is important to know the kind of life this man has led. thank you all for coming out today. let's give him a good welcome. [cheers and applause]

>> mr. speaker and congressman thank you for introducing us. i know you could wear shinwish she could be the whole time. i am going to talk about being even younger than high school. i remember going to kindergarten. my first class was in hampton school in detroit, michigan. i was about five years old. there were about 35 or 40 kids in the classroom. my guess is the parents thought their children's future was going to be bright and prosperous. they believed in the promise of america. they believed if their kids were taught the right values and they were able to get an education and they worked hard, they could

have a prosperous and secure home. that has been the promise of america from the very beginning. by hard work and education and good values, that our future will be bright, and our kids future will be brighter than the lives that we lived. over the last few years that promise has been broken for a lot of americans. we have about 24 million americans who are out of work or have stopped looking for work or have part-time jobs and they need full-time work. the president said he would turn this economy around in three years. we are here to collect. [cheers and applause] he said if we let him borrow $787 billion, which you guys will pay for he said if we let

him borrow $787 billion, he would hold unemployment below 8%. 36 months later, 36 straight months of unemployment above 8%. it is time for that him to go. [cheers and applause] he said he would cut the deficit in half. he has doubled. he has doubled it. he said that medicare and social security were financially insolvent and needed to be fixed. he has not made any proposals to fix it. this is a president who has broken the promises he has made. i believe in america and the right course of america. i believe it is to restore the principles that made america the hope of the earth. young people coming out of high school college, they are

finding they cannot get jobs. dick armey said something interesting. he said the american dream is getting your kids out of your home. [laughter] we have too many kids that come out of high school or college and cannot find work. this president has no plan to turn around the economy, no plan to eliminate the deficit, no plan to fix medicare or social security. he is out of ideas excuses, and in 2012, we will put him out of the white house. [cheers and applause] several months ago, i put this little book out. this book is called "believe in america." i laid out in here the things i would do to get america's economy going again.

i said in here that there were parts that had to come together. it needs to be brought together as a whole. i laid out a number of things i would do. ideas on entitlement reform. i laid out ideas about reducing the deficit. i've also laid out some plans for how we get our economy growing again and creating some jobs. i said -- i had some immediate plans up front but i wanted to put in place a tax plan that created more growth that was simpler, flatter, and fairer. i went to describe to you today what i am going to do to get america's promise restored in this country. i have to reform entitlements to make sure that we can keep medicare and social security solvent. i have to cut our spending and deficits. we are spending too much.

[cheers and applause] i am going to take the federal spending budget line by line and ask this question. can we afford this program? if we cannot pay for it -- is this program so essential that it is worth borrowing money from china to pay for it? if not, i will get rid of it. [cheers and applause] with regards to our tax policy and growth, there are a couple of things i would like to announce. i am going to lower rates across the board for all americans by 20%. [cheers and applause] and in order to limit any impact on the deficit, because i do not want to add to the deficit, and

to make sure we continue to have produced it the, i going to limit the deductions and deductions particularly for high income folks. for middle income families, the deductibility of home mortgage interest and charitable contributions will continue, but for high income folks, we are going to cut back on that so we make sure the top 1% pay their fair share or more. middle income americans have been hurt by this obama economy. [cheers and applause] let me note. this has to be combined with those other two things i mentioned. we have to have more jobs less debt, and smaller government. they go together. you cannot do one of those things by itself.

you have to do others to restore the american promise. this idea of lowering our marginal tax rates across the board -- why do that by the way? just to give more money to people to spend? there is another reason. by lowering those rates, we held businesses that pay at the individual tax rate to have more money so they can hire more people and pay higher wages. do you know how many people work at companies that are taxed at the individual rate? about 55% of american workers. we want those businesses to grow and thrive and be successful. president obama's plan is to raise taxes on those enterprises. my plan is to lower it by 20% and put more people back to work. [cheers and applause] my plan is part of the economy

-- i do not want to add to the deficit. that is why i cut a number of programs to make sure we get america on track to get a balanced budget. we have to make sure that medicare and social security are preserved. it is one whole package. in washington, they do not think like that. if you are in the business world or in your home, you do not have one person thinking about how much money comes in the door and one person thinking about how much you spend. if you cannot balance budgets you are out of business. if you cannot balance your budget at home, he will be out of your home at some point. in the government, you have committee's thinking about spending and others thinking about taxing. we have to lower our spending, preserve our long-term viability by fixing our

entitlements to restore the american dream. that is exactly what i will get done. [cheers and applause] you are going to hear me say time and time again. more jobs, less debt, small government. more jobs, less debt, smaller government. we have a very different course set out in front of us. the president would take us in one direction. i would take us in a different one. his plan is very simple. he wants to raise taxes. that will kill jobs in this country. he is proposing a corporate tax plan that is raising taxes on businesses by hundreds of billions of dollars. he is raising taxes on these companies that pay taxes at individual rates. raising taxes will kill jobs.

my plan will create jobs. that is the difference between the two of us. [cheers and applause] he is comfortable with spending more than we take in by about a trillion dollars a year. if i am president, i will cut spending, cap spending, and finally get us a balanced budget. [cheers and applause] he likes the idea of the government managing our health care system, telling you what kind of insurance covered, and treatment you can have. if i am president, i will repeal obamacare. [cheers and applause] if he is reelected he will continue to put the hold on natural gas coal, and oil.

if i am president, i will get that oil from canada. [cheers and applause] this president wants to fundamentally transform america into something that we are not. i want to restore to america at the principles that made us the strongest nation on earth. i will do so with your help. this is a very critical time for us. it is the choice about what kind of america we are going to enjoy. are we going to become like the european social welfare state with high unemployment, high debt, and low job growth? i love the founding document of america. they are the blueprint for our way forward. [cheers and applause]

the declaration of independence had extraordinary insight that change the world. it said these things, among others, that the creator had it in doubt us with our rights. -- endowed us with our righ ts. [cheers and applause] that among those rights are life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. yet in this nation, we would be free to pursue happiness as we choose, rather than the government telling us how to live our lives or be limited by the circumstance of birth. this is the land of opportunity. my view is to restore the printable. the ability of americans to live

a life of opportunity is what makes us who we are. america became a place where all of the pioneers and innovators of the world wanted to,. this is the land of opportunity. they came here by the millions. this president is taking that. i do not think he understands the power of free people and enterprise. [cheers and applause] i know we face huge challenges. we are up to the challenge. the american people are the most patriotic people in the world. we place our hands over our hearts during the singing of the national anthem. we love our country. "america the beautiful." for amber waves of grain.

when i was a boy, my parents took me around to the national parks. i fell in love with the land. over the years, i fell in love with the people. there is another version of that song. do we have at any veterans here or members of the armed services? please raise your hand. [cheers and applause] there is another verse. "beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years." when they wrote the declaration of independence and drafted the constitution, they were not

just waiting for their time. they saw beyond their years. i want to restore those principles and america's promise. i will get america strong again. i am going to do it with your help. thank you so much. [cheers and applause] ♪ ♪ [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2012] ♪ ♪ ["born free" by kid rock plays]

>> how are you doing? good to see you. thank you so much. thank you. >> thank you so much. how are you doing? good to see you. thank you. thank you.

thank you. ♪ ♪ ["born free" by kid rock plays] >> how are you doing? thank you. i appreciate it. how are you? nice to see you. how are you? good to see you. thank you. how are you doing? good to see you.

thank you. thank you. make sure to vote. how are you? thanks. how are you doing, buddy? good to see you. hi there. nice to see you. good to see you. how are you? thanks for coming out. hi. how are you? thank you.

how are you? nice to see you. how are you doing? thanks. hi. thanks very much. thank you so much. how are you doing, sweetie? nice to see you. how are you today? good to see. good to see you.

nice to see you. hi there. thank you. i appreciate it. how are you doing? how are you doing? hi. how are you? good to see you.

thanks. good to see you, guys. thank you. thank you so much. how are you? thank you so much. good to see you. thanks. i appreciate it. >> i work for you intercounty. >> thanks. i appreciate it. how are you doing? nice to see you. how are you doing? hi. how are you today? nice to see you.

thank you. how are you doing? good to see you. thank you. oh i appreciate that. thank you so much. i need that. thank you. good to see you guys. thank you. hi there. hi guys. hey, guys. how're you doing? thank you. thank you so much. thank you. hi. how are you? good to see you.

thank you for being here. >> mitt, what is going to happen tonight? >> how are you? nightce to see you, guys. hi, guys. how are you? good to see you, guys. thanks for the help. thank you for your support. hi. how are you? nice to see you.

♪ ♪ [country music plays] [cheers]

>> how are you? good to see you. thank you. nice to see you. thanks guys. good to see you. take care. nice to see you, guys. hi there. thank you. thank you. hey there. how are you? hi there. how are you? good to see you.

hi there. how are you? hi there. thank you. hi. how are you? thank you. how are you doing?

♪ ♪ [country music plays] >> good to see you. take care, guys.

thank you guys. hi. how're you doing? thank you. thanks guys. how are you doing? thanks, guys. good to see you. take care.

how are you? good to see you. >> look over there. my son is right there. ♪ ♪ [country music plays]

[applause] >> mitt romney wrapping up his rally in chandler arizona ahead

of tonight's debate. we will be opening up our phone lines to get your thoughts looking ahead to tonight's debate and how you thought mitt romney did this afternoon. also looking ahead to six days from now for the primaries. here are the phone numbers to call in. if you are a republican -- if you are a democrat -- independents that line is -- we will take a number of phone calls. we are waiting to take you to the white house for a white house briefing with jay carney on the proposed tax plan on business taxes. mitt romney reacted to some of the news that was coming out of the white house this morning. we will show you a bit of what he had to say.

let's first hear from daniel in missouri. hi there. >> i do not know if i am mistaken, but did i hear him right? did he say he wanted to end the -- he does not want to end the deficit? >> what he said specifically in this speech, he proposed lowering the individual tax rates across the board by 20%. >> i swear i thought him heard that he said he does not want to end the deficit. >> i guess we have to look at it again. here is charlotte, n.c., a democrat. >>charlotte, make sure you turn down your television.

we will go to mason, ariz., on the independent line. >> hello. i support mitt romney. he is the only candidate that can beat obama. he is an intelligent man who has a lot of experience in the private sector. i believe in mitt romney. mr. obama's lied to us. the whole community. all of the hispanics were very upset because he promised he would make reforms for the immigration issues, and he did not. i support mitt romney. >> in mason, ariz., the site of the debates. all the candidates will be there tonight for the debate. mitt romney reacted to the president's announcement today that the president plans to reduce the corporate tax rate from 35% to 28%.

here is what mitt romney had to say in reaction. i guess we will show that to you in just a moment. let's hear from a republican in massachusetts. go ahead. >> hello there. hi. yeah i'm supporting rick santorum. i did listen to what mitt romney just said. his attacks plan is a vastly different than rick santorum. rick santorum will be the republican nominee. it looks like that now. he is going to get ahead and when these two states in the primaries coming up next tuesday. >> you are a massachusetts resident. did you vote for mitt romney when he ran for governor? >> no, i did not. >> thanks for your call. we wanted to show you the

comments of mitt romney reacting to the president's proposed business taxes. >> he wants to raise taxes. that will kill jobs in this country. he is proposing a corporate tax plan that sounds like he is lowering taxes. he is raising taxes on businesses by hundreds of billions of dollars. he is raising taxes on these companies that pay at individual or a it. raising taxes will kill jobs. my plan will create jobs. that is the difference between the two of us. >> taking your reaction to what you heard from mitt romney and what you are thinking about going into tonight's debate and ahead of the arizona and michigan primaries. our democrat line, welcome. >> i have one thing that will put him in the white house for

sure and get this country going. one simple thing. put a 69% tax on every import from china india and all- around. you would have more jobs here then carter has liver pills. >> john is an independent. welcome. >> i think if rick santorum will run, i will vote for him. we need a new phase out there. for romney, this is the second time around. i think there is a new personality that needs to come out. the way that he talks and walks is the way a politician should. america needs a new phase, a new personality, and a new way to go. what we see right now is actually terrible. by turning down the pipeline

from canada which would get jobs -- we need to take our chances with someone who talks to the people and tells it like it is. rick santorum talks right and i think he is on the road. we are going to move forward in 2012 and america. >> john, you are an independent. will you get a chance to vote in the primary in ohio? >> i have to check. i was thinking about voting due to the fact because there are not that many choices out there. when you get to the second time around like romney, of course not. we need a new personality. i think rick can do the job because he talk trade and is a family man. >> thanks for checking in with

us john. let go to arizona where jan is on our republican line. >> thank you. i have already voted. i am so excited. i have already voted for ron. i will do anything to get him in. rick santorum lost by 18 points last time in the senate race. look at all the things. look at everything he voted for. he helped to get this debt up. i am not talking about his religious values, but look at what he did in the senate. i do not one thatwant that as a president. now they are putting him down for the salt lake olympics? are you kidding me? he needed money after 9/11 and they are going after him for

that. they cannot find anything wrong with him because he is squeaky clean. >> we got a couple minutes here where we can get your phone calls. the white house briefing is going to get underway shortly. wichita, kan., is on our democrats' line. >> hello. i am a democrat from kansas so i am kind of middle of the road and an open-minded to republican ideas. what i struggle with is i like the way they talk and i like the way it sounds -- "don't hurt the job creators" -- but when clinton was president, we had a 39% tax rate from the top tier. in 2001 when they cut the taxes we dropped that down to 35% and

our jobs have been stagnant. i guess i'm just frustrated because i would like to hear the actual argument as to how these policies have worked ever in history of them having them. i would like to see the examples of when trickle-down economics actually created jobs and did not raise the debt like it nearly tripled when ronald reagan was president. >> jared is mentioning the taxes which was a part of the conversation of mitt romney in chandler. the president is announcing the proposal to reduce corporate taxes. the corporate tax debate has made its way into the presidential contest. the former massachusetts governor romney has called for a 25% rate, and newt gingrich has called for a 12.5% rate, and

rick santorum is proposing that he would exempt domestic manufacturers from the corporate tax and have the top rate for all other businesses. we are waiting for the white house where we expect to hear more about the president's corporate tax plan. our independents' line, go ahead. >> thank you for taking my call. i was impressed with the rally that just took place in arizona. i feel that mitt romney is the strongest candidate to defeat president barack obama. he has the vision that we need. he will cut the deficit and strengthen our military. he will put forth a plan to increase our energy independent. >> who do you think is the strongest candidate in georgia? >> surprisingly, in newt's home turf mitt romney is only 1%

difference in the polls. it is a neck and neck race. >> are you seeing a lot of tv ads on both sides? >> i am. frankly,for new to say that romney should drop out of the rays what should newt gingrich to if he loses in georgia? if he loses, i think he should drop out and stop splitting the vote. mitt romney is our best choice to defeat barack obama. he truly has the vision that we need. thank you so much. >> we are standing by to hear what jay carney has to say. he is coming to the briefing room so we will take you there. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2012] >> good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. thank you for coming to the white house for the daily briefing.

do you think these are new? [laughter] maybe. not this time. these could be old, they could be new. before i get started, i wanted to say something about two journalists who were killed yesterday in syria. last week, aboard air force one i said something about anthony shadid who died last week. these tragic deaths _ something that i think all of us in this room since we participated in this profession -- it is a reminder of the incredible risks that journalists take. in order to bring the truth about what is happening in a country like syria to those of us at home and countries around

the world. aforethought and prayers go out to the families of those journalists -- our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those journalists. it is a reminder that the victims are many, and overwhelmingly in this case, they are innocent syrians. the regime becomes ever more apparent as each day goes by. i just wanted to mention that. then go to questions. >> thank you. >> you said that yesterday international action is needed before the situation in syria becomes too chaotic. given the continued shelling, how much more chaotic can things get? what is the international community waiting for? >> the international community has acted through the resolution passed by the united nations

general assembly. unfortunately, russia and china vetoed a resolution that would of passed through the security council, but there is overwhelming international support for the condemnation of the regime and its actions and overwhelming support for the syrian people. there is an ever-growing coalition of nations, if you will who are part of the friends of syria that the united states is part of. together, we will continue to enhance the pressure on assad and help the opposition become more functional, continue to work to bring humanitarian assistance to the syrian people and continue to call on the international community to collectively take greater action to pressure assad and force him to relinquish power said the syrian people have the future

that they deserve. >> the main opposition group said today that foreign military intervention may be necessary in order for humanitarian aid to make it into syria. would the u.s. support >> there is a useful comparative here to libya. i am often asked this question in using the comparison. what we had in libya where there was outside intervention was a unified community that called for intervention by the libyan people. at the prospect of an immediate assault by gaddafi's forces on an entire city. the possibility that international military action could limit or prevent the