They testified before the harlows house energy sub commerce subcommittee. We will show you the hearing tomorrow on cspan. President obama recently awarded the medal of honor to bring Corporal William corporal carpenter. He was injured in afghanistan in 2010. He covered a grenade with his body and order to save the life of a fellow marine. After the ceremony, he spoke briefly with reporters. Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States and mrs. Michelle obama. Accompanied by Corporal WilliamKyle Carpenter. If you would, please write with me pray with me. We posit the beginning of this historic event to ask for your presence in this place. Move your spirit to among us gathered. That we would be reminded of the freedoms that many like Kyle Carpenter have sacrificed for. No of our deep appreciation for this marines faithfulness. That when faced with that day of selfpreservation or selfsacrifice, he responded the dollar to safeguard life of his friend. As the highest award for such selflessness and courage is draped around his neck, and circle him with the depth of your steadfast love. Sanctify his innermost and unspoken thoughts. So he as he carries the weight of the honor, he will be enabled and emboldened to speak on behalf of and encourage those whose untold sacrifices and Humble Services need his firm and compassionate voices. Prayer all those who remain in harms way. And pray your abiding grace on the families and friends of marines, sailors, airmen, and coast guardsmen who have given their life to service to this country. The still your wisdom on those who served this nation. May us americans yield to your divine guidance. To this example of these heroes. God bless america. Amen. Thank you, everybody. Please be seated. On behalf of michelle and myself, welcome to the white house. The man you see before me today, Corporal William carpenter, should not be alive today. Hand grenades are one of the most awful weapons of war. They are only one pound, but they are packed with anti t nt. If one lands nearby, you have seconds to seek cover. If it detonates, its fragments shoot out in every direction. Spray of shrapnel can inflict devastating injuries. Up close, it is almost certain death. We are here because this man, this United States marine, faced down that terrible explosive power. That unforgiving force. With his own body, willingly and deliberately. To protect a fellow marine. When i grenade exploded, his injuries were called catastrophic. It seemed that he was going to die. While being treated, he went into cardiac arrest and three times he flatlined. Three times doctors brought him back. Along with his parents, we call his survival our miracle. We than god they did it. Saved yourt only brother in arms, you displayed a herbalism in the blink of an eye that will inspire for in theions heroism blink of an eye that will inspire generations. We have met before during his long recovery at walter reed. He and some of our other wooded warriors came to the white house to celebrate the world series champions, the st. Louis cardinals. I am a white sox fan. Kyle likes the braves. It was a tough day for both of us. [laughter] after the ceremony, michelle and i had the chance to meet kyle. At the time, he was still undergoing surgery. But he was up and he was walking and he was working his way toward being independent again, toward the man that you see here today. Kyle, the main message we want to send is, welcome back. We are proud to have you here. We spent some time with kyle and his wonderful family. Anyone who has had a chance to get to know this young man knows you are not going to get a better example of what you want in an american or a murdering. Hepite all of the attention, is still the same humble guy from south carolina. I guess today it is only something. 590 [laughter] these days he is also the university of south carolina. Is just a normal college student, he says. You notice that he does not hide his cars. He is proud of it. This. Ls me i am quoting him he said that the girls kind of like them. [laughter] he is working an angle on this thing. [laughter] i wasnt sure what i was supposed to say about that, but there is a quote there. I want to welcome those who made this man the marine that he is. His father, jim. His lovely mom, robin. And his brothers, one of whom will be joining kyle at south carolina. One. E have got another we also have his marine brothers who served with him in afghanistan and through his recovery. I also want to welcome the members of the medal of honor society. Kyle and his fellow marines served during a search of forces that i ordered early in my presidency. Their mission was to drive the taliban out of their strongholds and protect Afghan People and give them a chance to reclaim their communities. Pushing their way across open fields and muddy packs. Nd bearing heavy in one small village, they turned a dusty compound at their gaveand the insurgents their answer with automatic fire. That morning, kyle said the alarm clock was aka 47 fire. Some of the men were by their bunks. Makeshift mud centers or planning today for patrol. Bulk on the roof, two two on the roof manned their posts. The compound started to take fire. Seeking cover, they lay down low on their backs behind sandbags. Then the grenade landed with a thud. The pin had been pulled. It was about to explode. Kyle has no memory of what happened next. What we do know is that they were on that rooftop. He was not just with a fellow marine. He was with his best friend. They had met in training. They patrol together day and night. A friendship orchard in fire. He was his point man and that he loved him like a brother. When the grenade landed, another marine looked up and saw it happen. He tried to stand pretty lunch toward that grenade. He disappeared into the blast. Keep in mind at the time, he was just 21. In that instant, he fulfill those words of scripture, ready life for hisis friends. They found kyle lying facedown directly over the blast area. His helmet was riddled with holes and his gear was melted. Part of his best was blown away. One of the doctors who treated him said that he was literally head down tohis his feet. For a moment, he was still conscious. See. Uld not he remembers everything went white. Even then, his thoughts were not of himself. One of the marines and was there remembers how he kept asking one question whether nick was ok. Away, herength drained thought the end was coming. His last thought was to make peace with god. Andked for his forgiveness tried to make the best and most of my last few seconds hereunder. The medal of honor is presented for gallantry on the battlefield. But today we also recognized him for his valor cents and hard fight to recover. Eventually, he woke up. After five weeks in a coma. What do to consider what he has in do or just to stand here today. Grueling rehabilitation. Brain surgery to remove shrapnel from his head. Lung. Ing a collapsed multiple skin grafts. New prostatic i. A new job. New t. And one heck of a smile. New teeth. And one heck of a smile. [laughter] but he gives credit elsewhere. Backid the doctors put him together well. So many of ourr Wounded Warriors are alive not just because of the remarkable advances in technology, but primarily because of extraordinary dedication and skill of our military and our v8 medical professionals. We need to keep to everything we can and the power to give our Wounded Warriors of those who treat them the support that they need. I think it is a wonderful the doctorsto ask and the rest of his medical teams who worked please stand. I see their amazing work every time i visit the best, every time i visit all to read. It is pretty rare we have got a job for you know that you are doing gods work gods work every single day. [applause] thank you. And you for the miracles that you work for our wounded troops and veterans. Kyle says he will wear this medal for all who serve and for those who did not take it back and for those who still stop. He also honored to members of his team made ultimate sacrifice. Yles friends thethoughts are also with marines that kyle saved that day. Nick opportunity to meet nearly two years after the blast. Nick also suffered wounds. As a result dramatic brain injury, he could not speak for more than a year. He also endured multiple surgeries. His recovery in 10 years. He lives at home with his family in plymouth, massachusetts where he is watching this ceremony. Nick, on behalf of all of us, i want you to know we honor your sacrifice as well. Your perseverance is an inspiration. Just as kyle was there for you, our nation will be there for you and your family as you grow stronger in the years ahead. If any of our Wounded Warriors seek an example, let me amend that if any american seeks the model of the strength and resilience that defined us as a newest including this 9 11 generation, i want you to consider kyle. After everything he has been snowboards,skis, he he has jumped from a plane with a parachute thankfully, trek through a six mile mud run, completed the marine marathon, says he wants to do a triathlon, he is a motivational speaker, and advocate for his fellow Wounded Warriors. He is thinking about majoring in psychology so he can use his own experiences to help others. He got stellar grades. By the way, hes only 24. He says hes just getting started. In other words, he is a shining example of what our nation needs. Better to come home and use their incredible skills and talent to keep our country strong. We could all learn from his example. Ofprepared for the reading the citation. I would like to quote with his own words. A message i think for every american. I took a lifechanging event to at me to it took lifechanging event to get me to appreciate the life i have been blessed with. Enjoy every day to the fullest. Dont take life too seriously. Always try to make it count. Appreciate the small things. Be kind to others. Let the ones you love know that you love them and when things get hard, there is the baker plan and you will be stronger for it bigger plan and youll be stronger for. Pretty good message. Shouldl Kyle Carpenter not be alive today, but the fact that he is gives us reason to trust there is indeed a bigger plan. And alls you, kyle, those who serve and protect the precious an amazing life that we are blessed with. May god continue to bless and keep strong the United States of america. [applause] the president of the United States come in the name of the congress, takes pleasure in presenting the medal of honor to ,ance corporal Kyle CarpenterUnited States marine corps, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an automatic rifle man with company f, second battalion, ninth marine, First Marine Expeditionary force forward, in afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring freedom and 21, november, 2010. Was acorporal carpenter member of a force comprised of two reinforced marine rifle squads and partnered with an Afghan National army squad. The distracted enemy activity and provide security for the local afghan population. And acorporal carpenter fellow marines were manager. When the enemy initiated a daylight attack with hand grenades, one of which landed nearby. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety come a Lance Corporal carpenter moved toward the grenade in attempt to shield his fellow marine from the blast. When it detonated, his body absorbed the brunt of the blast. Courage andnted fighting spirit and unwavering duty and in the face of almost certain death, Lance Corporal carpenter took it upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the marine corps and the u. S. Marine corps service. [applause] let us pray. And made this ceremony serve as a reminder of their irresponsibilitys that come with receiving the great gift of freedom. As we depart this hollowed hall, and return to our daily lives, we pray that you will in power us that when called upon, we will represent the resolute fearlessness of corporal Kyle Carpenter and all those who were the stars of valor and live up to responsibilities and bring honor to you and to this country. Within the strength of your name, we pray. Amen. Amen. That brings us to the conclusion of the ceremony, but not the reception and the party. I want to say thank you to everyone for being here, especially kyles wonderful family and his parents. I understand that the food here at the white house is pretty good. [laughter] 30 told his brothers but they should be chowing down. That goes for everyone else as well. I think the drinks are free. It is still early in the afternoon. Thank you, everyone. One more round of applause. Kyle carpenter. [applause] good afternoon, everyone. As i stand before you today, i am truly honored and humbled, yet i accept this honor with a heavy heart. As the president put the medal of honor around my neck from i felt the history and the weight of the nation. I think of the marines who fearlessly defend their ships and fought for an idea, new way of life. I think of the deadly trenches of world war i and the marines who went through the bloody beaches in world war ii. Think about the marines in korea who lost their teeth, hands to frostbite. I think about the marines who fought for days on end from house to house in the scorching heat and cities like falluja, baghdad. I think about the marines who are with me. I close my eyes and i can still cries ofr desperate the radio. Today except the metal for them i accept the medal for them. I will wear it for those who have been wounded on distant lands, but still continue to fight in battle. Allthose who have given their families, i can ever express in words what you mean to this nation that use of selflessly fought for. Wear this medal for my family and those who have been there to help, love, support, and encourage me along my journey of healing and recovery. I am proud to be a marine. Im proud of those who have raised their right hand. Those who sacrifice and earned the right to wear the colors of our nation. Served, arewho have serving, and who will serve. Freedom is a powerful and beautiful thing. Be thankful for what you have. Appreciate the small and simple things. Be kind and help others. But the ones you love know that you love them. When things get tough, trust that there is a bigger plan and that you will be stronger for it. Thank you very much. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2014] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] the president previewed the summit in his weekly address. And the republican address. They talk about affordable energy. Hi, everybody. Priority is, my top rebuilding an economy where everyone who works hard has a chance to get ahead. I will spend some time talking about it on monday at the white house summit on working families. Were bringing together Business Leaders and workers to talk about the challenges that working parents face every day and how we can address them together. Take paper family and many jobs do not offer adequate leave to care for a new baby or an ailing parent. Workers cannot afford to be there when their family needs them the most. That is wrong. T puts us behind the times only three countries in the world report that they do not offer paid Maternity Leave for free. The United States is one of them. It is time to change that. A few states have acted on their own to give workers paid family leave. To be available to everyone. Allamerican should be able to afford to care for a Family Member in need. Childcare is another challenge. Most cannot afford thousands a year for childcare, but often that is what it costs. That leaves parents grappling just to make sure that their kids are safe while they are at work and forget about giving him the high quality of Early Childhood education that helps kids succeed in life. Then theres the issue of flexibility, the dose to take a few hours off for parentteacher conference or to work from home when your child is sick and most workers want it, but not enough of them have it. What is more come in that only makes workers happier, the study showed that fixed ability to make workers more productive and reduce worker turnover and absentees. That is good for business. At a time when women make up about half of americas workforce come out didnt work place policies that make it harder for mothers to work hold our economy our whole economy that. These are not just problems for women. Men also care about whos watching their kids. They are rearranging their scheduled to make it to soccer games and school plays. Lots of sense health care for aging parents. Planet paris would love to be home for the new babys first weeks in the world. In fact, in a new study, nearly half of all parents report that they have said no to a job not because they did not want it, but because it would be too hard on their families. When that many talented and hard we can people hardworking people have to choose, something if we wantre american businesses to compete and win in the Global Economy family leave, childcare, and flexibility. These are not frills. They are basic needs. They should not be bonuses, but the bottom line. This is some businesses are embracing familyfriendly policies because they know it is key to attracting and retaining employees. I will keep highlighting the businesses that do. I take this personally. I take it personally as a son and grandson of strong women who have worked hard to support me. And of the husband of a brilliant woman who struggle to balance work and has raised our girls would my job offer cap me away. And as a father of two beautiful young ladies whom i want to be there for as much as i can and who i hope will be able to have families and careers of their own when they. We know from our history that economy grows best from the middle act. Our country does better when everyone participates, when everyones talents are put to use, when we all have a fair shot. That is the america i believe in and that is the am