In the First Program we focus on marbury versus madison. It premieres live tomorrow at medical p. M. Et here on cspan at 9 00 p. M. Et here on cspan. Monday on the the ceo of legacy Telephone Companies transition from copper and something called tdm, circuit switch, to add to the new technology and new networks, how do we make sure that our public safety, the 911, competition that has taken root in the marketplace continues and drive how do we make sure that our critical institutions, schools, libraries, hospitals the services that they depend on in those networks, how do they go into the next technology with everything sustained and improved . I. T. Is what we all want. It gives better prices and lowers the best gives Better Service and lowers the prices. The Human Rights Campaign is the Worlds Largest lgbt civil rights organization. They held their annual dinner last lighted in washington where Vice President biden was the keynote speaker. This is 25 minutes. [cheers and applause] v. P. Biden good evening applause]d thank you, very much. Thank you very much. As Adlai Stevenson once said, flattery is fine as long as you dont inhale. I am here with a bunch of members of our administration who may be the smartest that i know. Lisa jackson and scores of people in administration with a Record Number of lgbt employees, ambassadors and senior white house staff. That introduction. Meumber of you have said to over the last three to four years, thank you very much. [laughter] no, didnt say that. [laughter] anyway, what was i saying . [cheers] thanked for speaking up, apparently out of turn on and i want to make something clear and i mean this sincerely. Withof you credit me taking a Political Risk and thought i was doing something special, but folks, i was just answering in a straightforward direct way what i have known my whole life and i mean this sincerely. It is based on a proposition best expressed by my dad when i was 17 years old. The into town surrounded by corporate buildings, the Hercules Corporation and the dupont company. He dropped the off so i could run in to be a lifeguard in the Swimming Pool system. We were at a light before it changed and i was about to get out and i looked to my right and their work two, very welldressed, conservatively dressed men who embraced each other, kissed, and walked in different directions. I remember looking back and my dad and i will never forget what my dad said to me. They are in love with each other. Its that simple. [applause] it has always been that simple for me and those who were raised by people like my dad. So there wasnt any chance i was taking. It was just about who i think most americans are. But the speed with which things to todaynged from 2012 a for marriage equality, where all marriages recognized in all 50 states is not because of any National Figure that spoke out. Not because of any of the celebrities that you will have standing before you tonight and have stood before you for so long. It is because of all of you and thousands of people like you who have had the courage to stand up and speak. Speak their hearts and minds. The American People are so much better than their leaders give them credit for. Not only did all of you, by the chances you have taken in your careers and life, not only did you set your love free, you heard me say this before. You have set free millions of straight men and women. You have freed them from the stigma they feared. If they spoke up and defended their lesbian or gay or bisexual or transgender brothers and sisters, friends, college roommates. I believe from the beginning that not only did the social disapprobation of society keep so many lgbt members from coming inhibited tenso of millions of straight people from coming forward to support. But as i said back in 2012, the vast majority of the American People agreed with me and what i said and have agreed with you for a long time before then. So you left the Supreme Court absolutely no choice whatsoever. I mean it. But to recognize the simple proposition my father taught me 50 years ago. We also know it wasnt simple for so many who went before us, just like chad did i want to take a moment to recognize the people i assume are in this room and some who are no longer in this room. All of you, all of those who came before us, from stonewall to today. Harvey milk, Matthew Shepard gave his life. So many others. Not only did so many of you do so much more than anything, you did something that was but only at the time in the moment consequential. You showed up. You showed enormous courage. In many cases, physical courage. Physical courage. You risked your jobs. Your livelihoods. Youre very physical wellbeing. Recognize for a moment where we are and what you did, what was done, and realized that the great arc of justice is a journey of this nation and it continues to move in the right direction and we are moving closer to animating the spirit of america because of all of you. Not me, because of all of you. [applause] we become more of what america was meant to be. All men are created equal, all have a right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. We said so often that it takes on a meaning and loses meaning. The very fact that we finally recognize that it is not a political matter, it is a basic human right. The fact that we recognize that is because of you. Jim and all the plaintiffs in historic lawyers and judges. Jim, i cant see them but i know youre here and i know john is with you, like he is every day. And tim cook. What does tim cook do by being so open . He makes young kids in the classroom, remember when you are in the classroom, worrying, . Why am i so different . How are people going to look at me . Can i do what everybody else can do . And you look and see a man like tim cook, who has turned the world upside down, who understands that it quality is not only a moral imperative but it is the heart of our economic might and dynamism. Giving so much encouragement to so many brilliant young women and men, in the Lgbt Community. Ellen page, gifted actress. Takes the limelight on her and shines it on something bigger than herself. By the way, you won that debate at the iowa state fair. You won that debate. There was a clear winner in iowa. [applause] i know we have said it over and over again in the last 50 years. Hope will never be silenced, as harvey said. Well, you and your predecessors have always had hoped. You have always spoken out. As i said good and decent americans were exposed to who you were and what their responsibility was. I want to pay tribute to the women and men who have taken great risk and had the courage to change things. You have changed the world in which my grandchildren will grow up, all for the better. You have. We owe them and you. And i know now that what i do knew then, the American People are with us. After i had that interview on meet the press and some people were not happy, i made a point. I said you guys are out of step, the American People are already there. Heres what i want to get to you. So much, there are still those shrill voices in the National Political arena trying to undo what has finally been done, but they will not succeed. Dont worry about it. I mean this sincerely, the American People have moved so far beyond them. And the appeals to prejudice and fear and homophobia and because of how far you have moved the American People. I promise you, we will come much more quickly and more surely, it will increase in its rapidity, the change that we need. I strongly support the equality act and it will pass. It will pass. It may not pass the congress it will pass because it is simple and straightforward. The American People think the law already prevents an employer from firing someone because they are lgbt. The American People already think it is illegal to deny new housing. The American People already think what the act calls for. The problem is they dont know that it is still legal in so many places. The one way, if you could change this overnight, would be to infuse in every mind in america that there are still 40 excuse me, 31 states that can deny you employment and housing, etc. Look, i am not your staff, but i am kind of like your staff. Heres the deal, i told this to chad. A lot of you are successful women and men. Put your money into advertising. Let them know it is it legal in their state to deny someone a job based on this. Let them know. The American People are all ready with you. Look at the numbers. There are homophobes still left. Most of them are running for president. [applause] for the first piece of change is information. I really mean this. People are stunned as i go around the country and talk about how you can be married at 9 00 and fired at noon. Try it, ask them. They look at you and say that is not possible. I really mean it. Calling the people in each of the states as demand changes that they think is a really happened is not going to be as hard as you think. We have made great progress in dont ask dont tell. We made it clear in this administration that we are proud of the fact that so many members of the Lgbt Community are willing to risk their lives and serve their country and many have given their lives for their country. In july, when i said, and i wasnt making a profound statement, i said Transgender Equality is the civil rights issue of our time. It took the sector of defense 10 minutes in july 2015 to say it took the secretary of defense about 10 minutes in july 2015 to say transgender people are able to serve. [applause] ash carter is a decent man and said they should be able to serve in the military, it is simple. All americans who are qualified to serve physically should be able to serve. As i said last year, transgender rights are the civil rights issue. There is so much more to do. There are 680,000 homeless young lgbt people. Half are homeless because they were rejected by their families. I cant think of anything it would be more sad. We have also decided that finally put an end change to the immigration laws. They now have a next about a married person now has the next that i did passage. There are nearly one million lgbt adult immigrants living in the shadows. Unconscionable rectus of conversion therapy. It must end. It just must end. [applause] as you have pointed out, we need to deal with the disparities of hivh treatment and prevention for black gay men and transgendered women. It has to be a focus. Its also necessary to make up for some past transgressions. That is why the president and i are working on all those who were dishonorably discharged because they were members of the Lgbt Community. Their paper should be changed from dishonorable to honorable. These are things because of you we are already doing. [applause] more and more of our people are heros are getting honorable discharges they rightly earned another and other heroes are being denied samesex partners because their colleague, lover, husband, wife was shot dead serving the public. [applause] we have to fight over that. Folks, as weve been advocating for a long time we can have one standard in america and not insist on that standard worldwide. Folks, my colleagues constantly point out what im always saying. I think this is the hallmark of the obama administration. We should not only lead by the power of example, we should lead by the example of our power. Both of them. The power of our example is more profound and the impact it has on the world. Even our military. There is no cultural justification for prosecuting, persecuting, putting in jail the Lgbt Community in any country anywhere in the world. [applause] but the ugly fact is in 80 countries it is a crime to simply be gay. Our Foreign Policy will determine, will reflect our disdain for this perverted cultural norms. That is why secretary john kerry critical for special envoy to human rights of lgbt persons this past february. [applause] for bigotry can never be just or supported in the basic human rights are the foundations for our society. That is why people look to us. There is a basic human rights issue concerning us all. Its not the subject of this meeting. That is the freedom to be free of violence. Whether the hand of another person or the bullet of a gun. [applause] [cheers] this week in oregon we were shocked once again by senseless gun violence. Like many of you i was angry and frustrated. When i wrote the crime bill in 1994, we had legislation, tough legislation related to background checks. The type of weapon to be owned, the size of a magazine you can put in a gun and possess. The Bush Administration eliminated all those gun policies which in no way violated the second amendment. After sandy hook, the president asked me to drop the series of legislative and executive proposals. To try to pass and put in place after the massacre of the young children. Over 80 of the American People in every poll agree with those rational proposals that we put forward. According to recent polls, 93 of the American People agree with universal background checks. And consider this, 93 of households with a legal gun believe we should have universal background checks. Its an overwhelming majority of americans but a decided minority is stopping the passage of rational proposals. Everything from the size of a magazine to background checks. The president and i were told not to speak of this because we cant get it past. We should not talk about things that will not pass in this congress. I will continue to speak until it is passed. The history of a journey of this country is always ultimately in the direction of rational policy to expand rights and protect the lives. I ask you on this matter as well, we need you to speak up. We need to speak up. Let me close where i began. I am taking too much time and i apologize. Let me close where i began. When my dad when my dad turned to me and said joe, it is simple. They love each other. Im often asked as a supporter of lgbt writes. What constitutes success . When will we know there is success . In april 2012, i was in the home of michael lardo and sunny ward and their two children in los angeles. I was speaking to prominent members of the community. I was answering questions in their living room. A young man standing against the wall asked me the most plaintiff question ive ever been asked in my political career. About 40 minutes and a questioning he lifted me and he said, mr. Vice president , what do you think of me . It was like somebody hit with a bat. That he would feel he had asked what do you think of me . That young men was chad. It was the first time we ever met. It was a simple, straightforward, profound question. It was seared into my mind what so many of you had to confront and put up with your whole lives. What do you think of me . My answer is what will constitute success. Under no circumstances, no gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender person ever have to ask that question. What do you think of me . [cheers] that day is within our reach because of you. You give us hope. You are never silent. Together we can change not only this country but the whole world. God bless you and may god bless our troops. [cheers] with her experience married to a fivestar general, the first lady demanded nothing but excellence in the white house. Pink,vorite color of coordinated in her accessories and wardrobe, she was said to be one of the nations best dressed. Ladyssenhower on first influence and image. Examining the public and private lives of the women who served as first lady from Martha Washington to michelle obama. Newsmakersspan, is next with democratic congressman eliot engel from new york. And then the Washington Ideas Forum with 2012 president ial candidate mitt romney. Mauro on 00, tony q a. Host our guest on