E-mail a friendMarch 30, 2009
North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad, chair of the Budget Committee, gives an update on the flood situation in his state and discusses the looming budget fight. Sudanese child soldier turned hip-hop star Emmanuel Jal recounts his early memories and shares why he was ready to tell his story.
Sen. Kent Conrad
Sen. Kent Conrad
Chair of the Senate Budget Committee weighs in on the idea of the government spending its way out of trouble. (:53)
Full interview. (9:58)
Time magazine named Sen. Kent Conrad one of "America's Ten Best Senators," and The American ranked him as one of the "10 Most Economically Literate Members of Congress." He chairs the Senate Budget Committee and has bipartisan respect as a federal budget expert. Conrad has been a strong supporter of farming subsidies and helped write two farm bills. Prior to his election in '86, he spent six years as state tax commissioner. He's a fifth-generation North Dakotan and holds an MBA from George Washington University.
Emmanuel Jal
Emmanuel Jal
Hip-hop star shares how the Lost Boys of Sudan had the same birthday. (2:02)
Full interview. (13:51)
Emmanuel Jal started singing to help ease the pain of being on the front lines of combat in war-torn Sudan and has gone from child soldier in his native country to rap star. With its messages of peace and reconciliation, "WARchild" is his third album and international solo debut, as well as the title of both a much anticipated autobiography and an acclaimed documentary. Jal is the first hip-hop artist to address U.N. delegates and is a spokesman for several humanitarian campaigns. He's also founder of Gua Africa charity.