His memoir hillbilly elegy. There wasnt this clear connection that now exists in my mind between education and opportunity. Even the people who did well in school didnt necessarily make a whole lot out of themselves. We saw so many people not really making or having good opportunities, and it was hard to believe that school mattered that much. Tonight at 8 00 eastern on cspans q a. Thursday, Hillary Clinton and donald trump took part in the annual Al Smith Charity Dinner roast. Didnt took place the day after their final president ial debate. The Al Smith Dinner is a white tie fundraiser for Catholic Charities supporting underprivileged children. We begin with the candidates arrival and the remarks by al smith iv. This is about an hour and 20 minutes. Melania trump. [cheers and applause] it is my honor to welcome our speakers for this evening, the honorable Hillary Rodham clinton, 67 secretary of the United States of america. [cheers and applause] mr. Donald j. Trump, chairman of the trump organization. [cheers and applause] last, our host for this evening, his eminence, Timothy Michael cardinal dolan, archbishop of new york. Now i turn the evening over to our master of ceremonies, al sm ith iv. [applause] please be seated. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is al smith iv. [cheers and applause] tod like to welcome you the 71st annual Al Smith Dinner. In case you were worried, this isnt a microphone malfunction, is a neck malfunction. I will be fine, and the show must go on. [applause] ask everyone id to turn off their phones. Secretary clinton has told me that donald is welcome to keep away. [laughter] al apparently, when donald tweets, it makes both of them happy. [laughter] likeefore we proceed, id to invite everyone at this event of the San Francisco 49ers to stand for the national anthem. And remain standing for the invocation. By anthem will be performed the metropolitan opera soprano. I turned down the job. The invocation will be delivered by the bishop. Sing, dont get lost. [laughter] im here. [laughter] say o, can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed the twilights last gleaming stripesoad and bright stars through the perilous night . Oer the ramparts watched were so gallantly streaming . And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there o, say does that starspangled banner yet wave . Oer the land of the free, and the home brave . [applause] magnificent al thank you very much, na dine. Bishop . Its a pleasure doing with you on the 71st annual Al Smith Dinner. M gratefulnam king to be invited. This was a hardfought campaign season. Last night was an exciting debate. I think most of us, including secretary clinton and mr. Trump, are eager for it to be over soon. [laughter] so let us pray. [laughter] lord, you have favored our great nation with the ability to correct our faults and strengthen our democracy. We ask your blessing upon us at this time so that our nation may come together in unity to elect the president who will be mindful of the laws inherit in our human nature. Life is your greatest gift to us. Teach us to respect life from its natural beginning to its natural end. Do you just reach out to the marginalized in our society and assist them in need, that this election season, which has accented the diversity of your preachers, tedious your beloved creatures to love one another, as you have loved us, that our differences may be resolved with the help of your grace. Lord, we ask your blessings upon this meal and those who have prepared it for us, and that we may imitate your love and share our bounty with others. We ask this in your holy name, amen. Al please be seated. Thank you, bishop. Tonight, we ask the two candidates to do the most difficult thing they have been asked to do this whole campaign. Im not talking about being funny or treating each other with civility. Our guestsoubt that tonight are up to that task. In fact, before the dinner started, donald went up to hillary and asked her how she was doing. And she replied, im fine, now get out of the ladys dressing room. [laughter] al i do that woulknew that wou. They have just returned from their third debate, and i think they are both grateful for format in which nobody can interrupt anybody else. As many of you know, this is an annual event held in honor of governor smith. Lets hear it for governor smith. [applause] this is the only real job i have ever had, so i thank him. We continue our long tradition during president ial election years. The candidates put aside all politics, all acrimony. We come together to raise money for the worthiest of causes. The neediest children and archdiocese. Youre supposed to clap now. [applause] everybody, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Tonight we are all friends. [applause] how do you like those apples . As you know, al smith lost the election but made history in american politics by becoming the first catholic to run on a major ticket. At the time, it was somewhat. Ontroversial he was against prohibition and thank god he was because we couldnt get through this campaign that has driven us all to drink. [laughter] al ill drink to that. Tonight, we are honored to welcome the tw candidateso for president , Hillary Clinton and donald trump. [applause] al gary johnson was supposed to be here tonight. He just called me and asked me from the closet. [laughter] al i think he was in the poconos. [laughter] one ofless than a month, electedo will be president of the United States. That was a real buzz kill. [laughter] al whatever the outcome, it has been a campaign for the history books. Its also the campaign for psychiatry books. [laughter] a few ground rules tonight. Titanshillary, we have of wall street here. Children. Et the even though there is a man sitting next to you in a robe, youre not in a locker room. [laughter] [applause] so please, watcher language. Watch your language. And hillary, i know you have been here a few times, so you know how this works. You have to remain stoic in the face of insults. Just consider this a fourth debate. [laughter] al tonight, as we enjoy our speakers, think of the legacy of governor smith, a decent man. He tried to do as much good as he could. And tonight, we honor him in the best way we know. Over a meal, a bit of laughter, and doing it all for the children. We look forward to a terrific evening. Now, sit back and enjoy your meal. The show will start shortly. [applause]