California U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D) spoke at the 2017 spring commencement of Howard University in Washington, DC, her alma mater. She talked about some of her undergraduate experiences at the historically black school, and urged graduates to speak out against policies of prison "mass incarceration", the detainment of Muslim travelers at U.S. airports and the treatment of undocumented immigrants.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos delivered the commencement address at Bethune-Cookman University, a historically black college as graduates protested with boos during her speech. At one point the school's president threatened to mail the students their degrees. Bethune-Cookman is located in Daytona, Florida.
Eileen Drake, president and CEO of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, gave a commencement address at the University of Alabama in Huntsville where she received an honorary degree. She talked about her background as an army aviator and encouraged graduates to be open to new experiences and challenges and to surround themselves with positive mentors. Aerojet Rocketdyne is a technology manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems headquartered in El Segundo, California.
Starbucks Executive Chair Howard Schultz delivered the commencement address at Arizona State University in Tempe. Mr. Schultz shared his experiences growing up in poverty and talked about the importance of giving back to the community.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) delivered the commencement speech for students receiving their undergraduate degrees from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Senator Warren encouraged graduates to pursue post-collegiate involvement in public affairs, telling them to focus on issues they were passionate about, and joked about her own non-traditional path to becoming a U.S. senator, which included her dropping out of college at age 19.
Ohio Senator Rob Portman (R) spoke to graduates at Ashland University's spring commencement in Ashland, Ohio. He talked about values of a work ethic, determination and service and some famous Ohio natives who he said exemplified them. Senator Portman is a former congressman who also served as White House budget director and U.S. trade representative during the administration of George W. Bush.
The Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hearing to consider several pending Defense Department nominations. Witnesses included Kari Bingen to be principal deputy defense under secretary for intelligence, Kenneth Rapuano to be assistant defense secretary for homeland defense and Robert Karem to be assistant defense secretary for international security affairs. Topics addressed included intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, the Iran nuclear agreement and Russian military actions.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) and Virginia Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne (R) were among the witnesses testifying at a Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee hearing on ways to fund roads, transit, and other infrastructure projects in whatever transportation bill Congress would next generate. Most of the testimony and questions focused on the role public-private partnerships, also known as P3s, would play in future federal infrastructure project funding. After the hearing, Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), the subcommittee's chair, answered questions from reporters who attended the hearing.
Author Jeremy Haft discussed the ongoing evolution of the U.S.-China economic relationship, and in particular the way future changes in U.S. trade policy could affect that relationship, during a discussion hosted by the Colorado Springs World Affairs Forum. Mr. Haft challenged many of the assumptions about China's economic growth, including that it is close to overtaking the U.S. economy as the world's largest. He also said that the U.S. economy has not declined because of Chinese imports, but in fact has been helped by the availability of its low-priced goods. Much of the discussion was prompted through a lengthy question-and-answer session with the audience.
FTC Commissioner Terrell McSweeny (D) talks about the recent ransomware attack on instituttions in some 150 countries.She also discusses the Federal Trade Commission's role in protecting consumer privacy & why she thinks both the FTC & Federal Communications Commission should regulate the internet.
The Center for American Progress hosted their annual Ideas Conference at the Four Seasons hotel in Washington, DC. This portion included keynote remarks by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D). In addition, Center for American Progress President Neera Tanden moderated a panel discussion on economic growth and workforce issues. Speakers included Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and former Council of Economic Advisers Chair Austan Goolsbee.
California U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D) spoke at the 2017 spring commencement of Howard University in Washington, DC, her alma mater. She talked about some of her undergraduate experiences at the historically black school, and urged graduates to speak out against policies of prison "mass incarceration", the detainment of Muslim travelers at U.S. airports and the treatment of undocumented immigrants.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos delivered the commencement address at Bethune-Cookman University, a historically black college as graduates protested with boos during her speech. At one point the school's president threatened to mail the students their degrees. Bethune-Cookman is located in Daytona, Florida.
Eileen Drake, president and CEO of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, gave a commencement address at the University of Alabama in Huntsville where she received an honorary degree. She talked about her background as an army aviator and encouraged graduates to be open to new experiences and challenges and to surround themselves with positive mentors. Aerojet Rocketdyne is a technology manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems headquartered in El Segundo, California.
Starbucks Executive Chair Howard Schultz delivered the commencement address at Arizona State University in Tempe. Mr. Schultz shared his experiences growing up in poverty and talked about the importance of giving back to the community.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) delivered the commencement speech for students receiving their undergraduate degrees from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Senator Warren encouraged graduates to pursue post-collegiate involvement in public affairs, telling them to focus on issues they were passionate about, and joked about her own non-traditional path to becoming a U.S. senator, which included her dropping out of college at age 19.
Ohio Senator Rob Portman (R) spoke to graduates at Ashland University's spring commencement in Ashland, Ohio. He talked about values of a work ethic, determination and service and some famous Ohio natives who he said exemplified them. Senator Portman is a former congressman who also served as White House budget director and U.S. trade representative during the administration of George W. Bush.
California U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D) spoke at the 2017 spring commencement of Howard University in Washington, DC, her alma mater. She talked about some of her undergraduate experiences at the historically black school, and urged graduates to speak out against policies of prison "mass incarceration", the detainment of Muslim travelers at U.S. airports and the treatment of undocumented immigrants.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos delivered the commencement address at Bethune-Cookman University, a historically black college as graduates protested with boos during her speech. At one point the school's president threatened to mail the students their degrees. Bethune-Cookman is located in Daytona, Florida.
Eileen Drake, president and CEO of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, gave a commencement address at the University of Alabama in Huntsville where she received an honorary degree. She talked about her background as an army aviator and encouraged graduates to be open to new experiences and challenges and to surround themselves with positive mentors. Aerojet Rocketdyne is a technology manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems headquartered in El Segundo, California.
Starbucks Executive Chair Howard Schultz delivered the commencement address at Arizona State University in Tempe. Mr. Schultz shared his experiences growing up in poverty and talked about the importance of giving back to the community.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) delivered the commencement speech for students receiving their undergraduate degrees from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Senator Warren encouraged graduates to pursue post-collegiate involvement in public affairs, telling them to focus on issues they were passionate about, and joked about her own non-traditional path to becoming a U.S. senator, which included her dropping out of college at age 19.
Ohio Senator Rob Portman (R) spoke to graduates at Ashland University's spring commencement in Ashland, Ohio. He talked about values of a work ethic, determination and service and some famous Ohio natives who he said exemplified them. Senator Portman is a former congressman who also served as White House budget director and U.S. trade representative during the administration of George W. Bush.
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee held a hearing on efforts to promote athletes' health and safety. Members heard from doctors, officials and athletes on several health issues impacting sports including opioid addiction, head injuries and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), sexual abuse, and doping at the Olympic level.
Local police chiefs testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations on the challenges local departments face. Topics included improving relations between economically depressed communities and police, funding, and improving training for de-escalation techniques.
