Good evening everyone and welcome to the New York Historical society. I am Louise Mirrer the ceo and im thrilled to welcome all of you two are beautiful auditorium. This Evenings Program is presented in conjunction with our exhibition vietnam war in 1945 to 1975 which i hope you had a chance to say but if not it is on view through april 22, so i hope you will return during regular museum hours to see it. Our program Edward Lansdale and the american tragedy in vietnam is the petraeus lecture on leadership. We created the series five years ago as a permanent way to honor two great americans roger hertog and David Petraeus who both won our history maker awarded 2013 that like to thank mr. Hertog for his incredible leadership and support and now as chair and marriages of New York Historical and general petraeus for his leadership and for his generous participation over the past four years and this illustrious lecture series. Thanks so much to both of you. [applause] i would like to thank a
Member interviews. We begin with louisiana congressman mike johnson. Were talking with representative mike johnson, who serves the state of louisiana, the fourth district. And thanks for joining us. Thanks for having me. So, tell us a little bit about how you got to this position. Well, my background is in constitutional law. So for about 20 years, i did litigation in the courts, Public Interest law firms are what i worked for, so i did religious liberty litigation, those kinds of things. Served in the Louisiana Legislature for a short term, a little under two years, served an unexpired term and never got a chance to serve out the next term out because this seat became open when the senator ran for senate, and it turned out well. We had the biggest winning percentage in my district, so were privileged and blessed to be here. Tell us a little bit about what made you decide get into the race and what was the ultimate deciding factor . Well, im the father of four children under the age of