We ask you all to take your seats if you will. Today we hear from deputy secretary of state John Sullivan on the proposed reforms that he and secretary tillerson are working on for the state department and for the agency for international development. I dont think there are many that question the need to improve the operation of both agencies. A more efficient and effective state department in u. S. A. Id would better promote our National Security and our many other interests around the world. So i have welcomed the administrations undertaking. Secretary state Rex Tillerson has started a process here as those that state will tell you where hes focusing on listening to the diplomats and listening to the employees. Our Foreign Service officers. I think this is very commendable. He has sought feedback from the bottom up. Many employees, he reports, have asked, and i think this speaks volumes, theyve asked for more responsibility and in turn more accountability for their performance. They
Differences into opportunities, richness and strength. Prevent us from turning them into sources of division, polarization, hate and bigotry. The most merciful one, this incredible diverse nation of ours is one of the most successful attempts to understand your wisdom in creating us different. We are far from being perfect, but came a long way in creating a multicultural, multireligious and Pluralistic Society by making in america, you will be judged by what you do, not by who you are, as one of our foundational promise. The most compassionate one, help us to preserve our achievements in this regard. Do not let the Destructive Forces of division and exclusion erode our ideals. Our Firm Commitment to diversity and pluralism. Empower us and these legislators to further improve the culture of inclusion and welcome to all in our nation and beyond. The most forgiving one, even if and when we forget you, please do not forget us. In your most holy and beautiful names we pray. Amen. The speake
The speaker the house will be in order. The prayer will be offered by the guest chaplain, rabbi avidseth kirshner, temple emanuel. Closter, new jersey. Rabbi kirshner as we embark on the sacred day of work to better the libes of all americans, we ask that you, god, help instill these leaders of the 115th congress with patience, wisdom, empathy and respect to achieve and exceed our goals for today and for tomorrow. Help us demonstrate our gratitude for our Service People and First Responders who work as our partners and fulfilling our shared mission. God, we ask you today to disseminate your sunlight and shower dawn your rain, which will help us cultivate the seeds of securing our freedoms, celebrating our democracy and championing tolerance for now and forever. May it be your will, that the generations to come that will live within and lead this great nation can enjoy the blooming flowers and sweet fruits of our labors on this sacred day. God, we ask you to bless this congress and thes
Rescues overnight. At least two are dead and the toll could get higher as the storm parks itself over texas. Lets get to houston where we find jacob rascon. Good morning. Reporter the Officials Say the worst case a declare yoe a or a foot and a half, and exactly that has happened. We got so much rain so fast that the seasoned guys and gals are stunned. Up to 5 inches of rain per hour. Behind me what you are seeing is what weve seen all over the city, which is where there is a continue here, people will not be able to see it in the dark and they will get stuck. This is catastrophic as they said it would be. Up to 20 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. This is that 100 year or more flood that they say that they wish they dont get and hope they were preparing for. Tens of thousands of katrina survivors are among those that live here, we have spoken to some of them what it means to brace for another one like this and the big, big problem as you know, this is day two of what will be a five
Thousand rescues overnight. At least two people are dead in texas, the toll could get higher as the storm parks itself over texas in the coming days. Lets get right to houston where we find jacob rascon. Jacob, good morning. Reporter good morning. Over the last couple days, we asked all of the officials what is the worst Case Scenario, they say a foot or foot and a half really fast, our volumes, creeks, rivers cant handle that, and theyll overflow into neighborhoods and into freeways, exactly that has happened. We got so much rain so fast, the local meteorologists, seasoned guys and gals are stunned at what theyre seeing, five inches of rain per hour. And behind me, what youre seeing is what weve seen all over the city, which is in freeways where theres a dip here, people will not be able to see it in the dark and theyll get stuck. We understand most people got out. We have run into people who have been stuck and got out and theyre waiting to be picked up. This is catastrophic as they