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Divisions Over Immigration Law; Manhunt for 3 Escaped Murderers; Chelsea Clinton Weds; A Day in the Life of Immigrant Laborers; Candidates Spar Over All-White Delegation
Aired July 31, 2010 - 22:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Tonight on CNN, you're going to see Chelsea Clinton's wedding photos in just a moment.
Plus, a manhunt underway right now for three escaped convicted murderers. They've already briefly abducted two people, police fear others may be in danger. And moments ago, late information on this unfolding story that we'll tell you about.
And we go Memphis where a long time politician is telling voters to support him because he is black. We will tell you why President Obama has thrown his rare endorsement to the white candidate in that congressional race.
And Chelsea Clinton got us to thinking about other ones famous first children. Come with us for a stroll down memory lane for what we call, "Where are they Now."
We'll start with a developing story, though. This one in Arizona. It is the first weekend under the state's new immigration law. A judge this week blocked the most controversial parts of it. Governor Jan Brewer fought back but lost her bid to get a speedy appeal hearing so that won't happen until November. But we are learning now that Governor Brewer may try another tactic all together.
CNN's Dan Simon standing by live for us in Phoenix.
Dan, what is the governor thinking about doing here?
DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Don, the governor is thinking about going back to the legislature and having the Republicans work on SP1070. Essentially look at tweaking the language perhaps in a way to accelerate how it proceeds in the courts.
I want to show you what we are seeing behind this right now. Right now there is a very large 1070 support rally happening at the state capital. Hundreds of people here coming out to support 1070, but obviously right now the future, a bit uncertain. Senator Weasel appears, who authored the bill, not wild about the idea that Governor Jan Brewer is apparently advancing with tweaking some of the language. He likes the way the bill is currently written. And in fact he says he wrote it with the intention of it being filed in the courts. He wants it to go all the way to the Supreme Court, and he thinks he will win. What we know is that this bill has deeply divided the Arizona community and it has deeply divided families. We spoke to one such family who invited us into their home for what they call Taco night.
Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SIMON (voice-over): For 33 years, the Kingery Family has made Friday night taco night. All seven of Josephine and Ed's grown children try to be here each week, along with 11 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
IDA KINGERY, DAUGHTER: And we also bring our friends over so they can meet our family. And there's a lot of people that aren't Hispanic that are our friends that come and they see how tight we are with our family.
SIMON: But on this night, there is division.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We got five for it?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's all right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. And if you're against it, raise your hand.
SIMON: This large Hispanic-American family finds itself split on the anti-illegal immigration law that has rocked this state.
(VIDEO CLIP)
Eddie marched this week with the protesters.
SIMON (on camera): You're worried it's going to lead to a lot of racial profiling?
EDDIE KINGERY, AGAINST SB 1070: I do. I mean, honestly, I do. I think it happens -- I mean, it's so easy to see the color of skin. The color of skin is just such an easy way to say, hey, they're probably here illegally.
I. KINGERY: It's going to be a little bit rough going. But, you know, I just feel that it's going to be the best thing for Arizona.
SIMON (voice-over): Ida Kingery is the oldest siblings. Racial profiling? Maybe, she says, but something needed to be done.
(on camera): How do you think it is going to help? How is it going to solve the immigration problem?
I. KINGERY: I think that once the law is passed, it will give a little bit of ease, you know, for the people that are non-Hispanic. It's going to make them feel a little more comfortable because right now they think that all the immigrants that are coming in are coming in as criminals, and they're not all criminals. SIMON (voice-over): For those here on the pro side their arguments turned to health care and education. Liz says she's concerned how tax-supported services can be overwhelmed by illegal immigrants.
LIZ KINGERY, SUPPORTS SB 1070: Current immigration problem is affecting the state of Arizona's economy. The medical and benefits for social security and our education.
SIMON: On the other side of the table --
E. KINGERY: It's really turned the Mexican people into being like the villains. Like, they're blaming us for the economy or blaming them for the, you know --
L. KINGERY: But it is affecting the economy.
E. KINGERY: It is but, it's not --
L. KINGERY: It's the medical they're getting that may not --
(CROSSTALK)
L. KINGERY: -- the education, all of it.
SIMON: But no matter how heated their arguments get, they'll always be back the following Friday for taco night and the family celebrations that have made this evening special for more than three decades.
KINGERY: Happy birthday to you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SIMON: And we thank the Kingery family for allowing us into their homes. It's a lot of fun to be there.
As you can see, these issue still galvanizing large numbers of Arizona people. And last night you saw the protesters in the street, tonight you are seeing the people in support of 1070. And both sides keeping the heat on.
Don, back to you.
LEMON: All right. Dan Simon, live in Arizona. Thank you, sir.
Also in Arizona tonight, a manhunt is on for three convicted murders who escape from prison. Police say they broke out of a medium security prison in Kingman, Arizona last night. They allegedly abducted two people at gunpoint early this morning, but later release them at a truck stop. All three prisoners were serving 15 years to life on murder convictions. Authorities are using every resource they say that they have to track these men down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CHARLES FLANAGAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ARIZONA DEPART OF CORRECTIONS: We are working very intensely with state law enforcement. Our own criminal investigations unit and fugitive apprehension unit with U.S. Marshalls, and we are tracking them with a number of different sources of Intel. We are tracing where their families and their other contacts are. We have notified law enforcement in the surrounding states and also at the border just in case they are heading that way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: All right. Police say they are also looking for this woman. A suspected accomplice, and they also gave us, this is a short time ago, they have an eye out for this car. It's a blue 1996 Chrysler Concord four-dour sedan. Take a good look at that car. Authorities say the escaped prisoners may still be using it.
We're getting more information on this story. In this broadcast, we'll bring it to you so stay tune.
OK now. The wedding details. Top secret until now.
The father of the bride, a former president. The mother, the country's secretary of state and former presidential contender.
Sounds like I should be saying in this corner and in this corner. The bride and groom, none other than Chelsea Clinton and investment banker Marc Mezvinsky. They tied the knot this evening at a secluded New York estate that once belonged to the Astors.
Susan Candiotti joins me now live from Rhinebeck, New York, where wedding guests may be partying late into the night.
First photo, Susan. I don't know if you can see, but we have the first photos of Marc Mezvinsky and Chelsea Clinton. I don't know if she will be Chelsea Clinton, Chelsea Clinton Mezvinsky, Chelsea Mezvinsky, but there you go. And she looks beautiful in her dress. All brides are beautiful, but she looks especially nice and he looks dashing as well, Susan. So quite the affair.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There you go. I can't see them right now looking at the monitor, but they were described to me as well. Our first photos. I think there are five of them all together. It is time to lift the wedding veil of secrecy, Don. Now we are finally learning some of those secrets. And as expected, they did tie the knot. They exchanged vows about 7:30 this evening as you indicated. And in fact the family put out a statement as we look at those beautiful photographs, let me read part of it.
This coming from Bill and Hillary Clinton. Quote, "Today we watch with great pride and overwhelming emotion as Chelsea and Marc wed in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by family and their close friends. We could not have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate the beginning of their life together. And we are so happy to welcome Marc into our family."
And so now let's talk about those photographs just a little bit more. The gown, as expected, was designed by Vera Wang. And in fact Secretary Clinton's gown designed by one of her old friends Oscar de la Renta. It was an interfaith ceremony performed by a rabbi as well as a minister. Remember that Chelsea is a Methodist and her husband Marc is Jewish. They exchanged rings.
And in fact, a friend also read a poem by the late British poet Leo Marks, who passed away in 2001. Part of it goes like this, quote, "The life that I have is all that I have and the life that I have is yours." Quite lovely. And of course that party will be going on for quite some time, Don. We can tell you this, the FAA still has that forbidden zone for any flights over that area, and is it remains in effect until 3:00 a.m. I bet the party will be going on longer than that.
LEMON: Oh yes. And, you know, they should celebrate. Because you know how many times do you get married? Well, maybe I shouldn't ask that question for them.
CANDIOTTI: Hopefully once.
LEMON: It's their first. Can we show that picture again, Susan? Susan, thank you by the way. And I see you got all kinds of sight seers behind you. Sure lots of people are looking, but as Susan, Candy and I both told you, Susan actually at Rhinebeck, New York there for the wedding, both said just a little bit earlier, first picture of Chelsea Clinton's wedding. And you can see her there. Of course on the right of your screen, and there is her husband there on the left, Marc Mezvinsky. Chelsea Clinton, not sure as I said it. It's Chelsea Clinton Mezvinsky, or it will be just be Chelsea Mezvinsky. I also want to tell you, Susan there are about five or six other photographs, maybe more. And we're going to have them coming up a little bit later on on CNN.
This was like the most -- it was trending on CNN.com, on Twitter. Number one story, Chelsea Clinton's wedding.
And speaking of Chelsea Clinton, you know her as a new bride. It really got us to thinking about what happened to other former first children. In just a few minutes, presidential historian Doug Reed will fill us in, and reveal the surprising trait many presidential children have in common.
Also they work six days a week in the blazing sun, doing jobs Americans apparently don't want to do.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: How many Americans have you hired over 15 or 16 years?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: None. Not one.
TUCHMAN: I mean, has one ever expressed interest?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. Not to come and work in the field, no.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That is revealing, isn't it? Mexican immigrants working for a living, paying taxes, but still illegal.
And more than 2 dozen dead. Thousands of people now homeless with raging wild fires in a part of the world you may not think about having these dangerous conditions.
And don't just sit there. We really mean this. We want you to be part of this show, part of the conversation here tonight. I'm going to go and get on social media in about ten seconds.
Join me on Twitter, Facebook or on FourSquare. Check out my blog, CNN.com/Don.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: You heard the arguments in the immigration debate. Elected officials, political activist, law enforcement, all going back and forth about how immigration affects the nation. So what about the people making that impact. What are their lives really like?
We ask our Gary Tuchman to spend the day in the fields with California farm workers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Before dawn, migrant laborers in the California desert. Despite triple-digit temperatures still to come, they wear long sleeves, scarves and bandanas to protect themselves from the sun and from dust.
Their job today, to pick the purple grapes you will snack on tomorrow. They're all veterans, and they're all Mexican, except for me, the rookie American who is joining them for a full day of work, the only person in short sleeves, the only person who doesn't know what he's doing.
But I have been assigned a partner. Benjamin Rodriguez has worked in the California fields for 32 years. He knows his grapes, which are called "uvas" in Spanish, and he is teaching me the trade.
(on camera): Here's what I'm learning. You have got to get rid of the green ones. But, sometimes, the green ones are way down. And, if you miss them, and they get to the grocery store, and then you go to the grocery store to buy grapes and see green ones, you will complain to the store. The store will complain to the ranch, and the ranch will complain to me, the worker.
(voice-over): You make $8 an hour, minimum wage, and split 30 cents per each big box of grapes you pack between three partner. The third is Benjamin's wife, Maria, who is loading up the grapes for the grocery store.
She tells me it makes her back hurt and it's hot, "But we have to work hard. It puts food on the table. We have to do it." (on camera): Benjamin is my partner today. If I don't work fast, I cost him money. So, there's some pressure. It's not just doing a story.
(voice-over): Maria and Benjamin have five children, two of them grown. They, like all the other workers here, won't discuss their immigration status.
But, if you're legal, you would usually seek a less punishing occupation. Either way, taxes are taken out of all the paychecks. They each make a base rate of $64 for the day. After taxes, it's about 45 bucks for the eight hours.
As the hours go by, the workers sing to help make time pass, to take their minds off the heat. They're aware many people believe Mexican immigrants take away American jobs, but, over the years on this ranch --
(on camera): (SPEAKING SPANISH)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING SPANISH)
I asked him how many Americans he has seen in then his 32 years in the field. He has said zero.
(voice-over): Santos Montemayor is the man who does the hiring in these fields.
(on camera): So, for 15 years, you have been hiring labor crews to do agricultural work.
SANTOS MONTEMAYOR, LABOR CONTRACTOR: Right.
TUCHMAN: How many Americans have you hired over the 15 or 16 years?
MONTEMAYOR: None, not one.
TUCHMAN: I mean, has one ever expressed interest?
MONTEMAYOR: No. Not since I have been working the fields, no.
TUCHMAN (voice-over): The temperature has now climbed to 102.
(on camera): As it gets hotter and the sun gets brighter, your mind starts playing tricks with you. Is it purple? Is it green? You start not being able to make out the colors any more. These are purple, though.
(voice-over): The trucks start getting loaded up with the grapes we're picking. I'm doing some wheelbarrow duty, which can't be good for the back.
(on camera): I realized before this day started this work would be hard. What I didn't realize is just how monotonous it would be. These people do it six days a week. (voice-over): I've never looked at my watch so much. And it's not even lunch-time yet.
(on camera): Delicious grapes. Hot off the vine.
(voice-over): The afternoon goes slower than the morning. Benjamin stays on top of me to get rid of the green grapes. At 2:30 p.m., eight and a half hours of a we started, our final load of grapes.
(on camera): This is the last.
(voice-over): It's quitting time and there's mass exodus. Benjamin, Maria and I have done 100 boxes. That's a $30 bonus for the two of them. I wish Benjamin and Maria luck and they head home as quickly as possible. They have to do it all over again at 6:00 a.m.
Gary Tuchman, CNN, Delano, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: All right, Gary. Thank you. Tennessee is a diverse state but you wouldn't know that from looking at this congressional delegation. Check it out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I believe that it is very clear to the majority of the citizens of this community that we lack representation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That man, by the way, he is a former long-time mayor. First African-American mayor of Memphis. He says Tennessee needs a black congressman. But you might be surprised to see some of the backers of his Washington opponent, of his white opponent. And so close, but yet so far, the plan to permanently seal the ruptured BP oil well in the Gulf of Mexico, delayed again.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Two candidates are campaigning hard for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Memphis. Race has become a major issue in the primary, but in a surprising twist, some black power brokers are backing the white candidate. This fight has exposed some hard truths for both candidates and voters.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON (voice-over): Sunday in Memphis -- praise and worship for the faithful. A captive audience for Dr. Willie Herenton and Steve Cohen both campaigning for Tennessee's heavily Democratic ninth Congressional district seat. Cohen is the incumbent Congressman and Herenton is gunning for his job. WILLIE HERENTON (D), TENNESSEE CONG. CANDIDATE: Are you going to vote for me? You got me covered? All right. OK. Baby, I love you now.
LEMON: The man who was Memphis mayor for two decades is making race a key part of his platform. His main campaign slogan on yard signs and flyers, "Just One." He believes that there should be at least one African-American from the state of Tennessee in Congress.
HERENTON: When you look at this picture, it is of one race. It is as if only white people live in the great state of Tennessee. No African-Americans. I believe that it is very clear to the majority of the citizens of this community that we lack representation.
LEMON: But the Congressional Black Caucus is looking beyond race and is backing Herenton's white opponent. Even the first African- American president is not supporting Herenton. Obama issued a rare endorsement; calling Cohen, the two-term incumbent, a proven leader.
HERENTON: I am disappointed that the president intervened. I mean, this is a local race. A local race that the citizens of this community should determine.
LEMON: Herenton is downplaying the endorsement instead drawing attention to Cohen's singing and dancing at campaign events saying Cohen is pandering and "trying to act black."
(voice-over): Does it bother you, your opponent talking about race so much saying that you are trying to be black? What do you think of that?
REP. STEVE COHEN (D), TENNESSEE: Well, you know, it is something that he does, and I think that it is grasping. Because I don't try to be black. There is no way. I mean, I understand the black community probably better than most Caucasians do, because I spent so much time working on issues.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You have done so much for this district.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I really would like to thank you.
LEMON: And on the campaign trail, many of the Congressman's constituents reinforce his belief that his hard work on key issues like education and health care resonate with voters more than skin color.
COHEN: I represent everybody, and I work hard for people to give them opportunities, and I just think that race should not be an issue in 2010.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And in the final 100 days before election day, CNN is profiling one race at random each day from among the nation's top 100 House races. We have dubbed them "The CNN 100." Check out all the races including the Tennessee Congressional race, you just saw profiled there by logging on to CNN.com/PoliticalTicker.
Chelsea Clinton gets married and we have the pictures here coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Very busy weekend. We want to check your top stories right now.
In the Gulf of Mexico, work to permanently seal BP's crippled well has been delayed a day or two maybe. The procedure known as static kill now won't begin until Monday or Tuesday. That's when heavy-drilling mud and cement will be pumped in from above to push the crude oil back down the well. The delay is necessary to clear out sediment from tropical storm Bonnie. Cement pump in from a relief well. The so called bottom kill is expected to begin by the end of August.
Firefighters have their hands full in southern California, but they may be winning the battle against a raging crown fire in Los Angeles County. It's now about 62 percent contained, thanks to better weather conditions. Authorities have lifted evacuation orders and most residents have returned home. The crown fire is the biggest of three wild fires that have blacken more than 17,000 acres in that region.
Scorching temperatures are fuelling some of the worst wild fires Russia has ever seen. At least 28 people have been killed and nearly 3,000 left homeless by the blazes in the western part of the country. Temperatures in some areas could reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit. That forecast move one official to say that he does not expect the situation to improve in the near future.
Flooding in Pakistan has killed at least 800 people, and that death toll is expected to rise. And U.N. says nearly 1 million people have been affected by the flood. Rain has washed away thousands of acres of crops. Aid groups are rushing in to help victims of the flooding, but more monsoon rain could be on the way on Monday.
President Barack Obama says he hopes Congressman Charlie Rangel ends his career with dignity despite an ethics investigation. On Friday, a House panel recommended a reprimand for the New York Democrat. A reprimand would be considered a slap on the wrist by some. Among other things, Rangel is accused of using his influence to solicit donations for a college policy center bearing his name. Other charges include alleged income tax and financial disclosure violations.
We have been waiting all night and they're finally here. The photos from Chelsea Clinton's wedding tonight. This just in. One of them. We got much, much more. Many more. You saw one earlier. We will show you that one, plus this one, plus more.
Also, a prestigious honor. One of CNN's own, our Soledad O'Brien talks about the recognition she is receiving tonight.
And "ra-ra sis boom bam." How about that producer Tom. I got it right for you this time. A cheerleader takes out a thief.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Let's talk about what matters. This is our partnership with "Essence" magazine. One of the most prestigious professional groups in journalism, the National Association of Black Journalists, meeting this weekend in San Diego. It's their annual convention and right now, they are about to single out one of our very own here at CNN and we're very proud of her as well. We're talking about Soledad O'Brien. They're going to single her out as a journalist of the year. I spoke to her just a short time ago about the upcoming honor.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I am so excited and this is probably the only award in my whole life that my children have a clue what it's about. They're like, wow, mom, journalist of the year, that gig. You know, they're pretty little. So, it feels good that they were -- they were impressed.
LEMON: Listen, we were trying to -- I was thinking -- they said Don, you are going to talk to Soledad, what are you going to talk about? I said, well, let's talk about everything she's done this year. I remember -- I think it was last year, you and I -- we haven't seen each other since we bumped into each other on an airplane. We work at the same place but, you know, the only time we see each other is on an airplane. So, you did -- let's see, you were in Haiti. The "Atlanta Child Murders," "Black America II," "Gary and Tony Have a Baby." You did something on New Orleans.
O'BRIEN: Right.
LEMON: And all this -- and this is what you are being honored for. What else did you do? Can you even remember?
O'BRIEN: I think the things that probably make me most proud have been to work on some of the documentaries about Martin Luther King Jr., mostly because I have had an opportunity to sit down with civil rights legends, legends. And when you shoot a documentary as you well know, you know, you interview people for two and three hours.
So, to sit down with Andrew Young and to talk to him for three hours about the day that Dr. King died, or Dorothy Cotton. To sit down with Fred Gray, who was Rosa Park's attorney -- you know, those are really amazing -- I felt very privileged to just be able to sit in the same room and ask any question I wanted to for the next couple of hours.
So, you know, I think that those are, in a lot of ways, some of the most meaningful. I have held on to the transcripts, you know, because I know those stories don't get told a lot, and those -- those folks are getting older. You don't -- you don't get to really hear their stories very much. LEMON: It's -- it's good to know that I'm not the only one who does that. And then I said, why do I still have the transcripts from James Brown? You know what I mean?
O'BRIEN: Right, right.
LEMON: So we were talking -- as you were talking, we were showing Myron Rolle there, and I want to talk to you about that, but -- go and talk about Myron Rolle.
O'BRIEN: Wonderful young man, uh-huh. Well, you know, what I love about Myron, and we did a great story for him for Anderson's "AC 360," where he looked at his opportunities as we personally said here's a young man who both wants to be a surgeon but also wanted to play professional ball.
And what an incredible role model, which is a word that sometimes, I think, is overused. But he is such a solid, smart kid. And to sit down and talk to him -- one of his biggest struggles, as you know, because I know you know his family and you have interviewed him before, has been to convince people during the draft that he is really focused on football. So, you know, I think, again, I had a chance to sit down and talk to really inspiring and interesting people, and that kind of makes it a great gig.
LEMON: OK. Listen, I want to talk to you, lastly, I want to talk to you about the children in Haiti, but I -- let's talk about Wayne Williams first, because to actually sit in a room with that man, and that was one of your most recent documentaries, it just must have been a bit mind blowing.
O'BRIEN: Yes. You know what's interesting about Wayne Williams? And I think everybody wants to know what it is like to sit down with a guy who has been convicted of, you know, serial -- being a serial killer. And I think this is probably true for many serial killers because I've read it a lot. Seem so normal. Seem like a regular guy. Small man. I mean, I was, you know, in heels, I was about in the same height that he was, probably about the same weight that he is.
And so it was very interesting to see just how normal he appeared. You know, he is -- he maintains that he did not kill anybody but the weight of evidence is very much against him and he sits in prison to this day, you know.
LEMON: Hey, Soledad, you know, I'm getting the old rap in my ear, not because we don't love you, but you know how it is. You've sat here many times. But I've got a few seconds left.
O'BRIEN: I feel the love and I am so grateful. Thank you.
LEMON: As a mom, Haiti, the children?
O'BRIEN: Yes. We're just back the other day as my daughter -- I took Sofia, who is now nine, we went to volunteer in an orphanage. And it was amazing and I tell you, I think Haiti is a hard place for parents to take their kids. But I would encourage every parent out there to drag their child when they are about 8 or 9 and start bringing them to do things, whether it's in your own community, another nearby community, somewhere far away and make them understand that we're all part of the same, you know, greater community. That an individual can make an impact in the world. Really just holding a baby for a couple of hours, that is -- that is contributing something. And a 9-year-old can do that.
So we had a great trip. We bonded a lot and she fell in love with the people of Haiti just as I have.
LEMON: Congratulations, my dear. Journalist of the year. NABJ. And it's early so go get dressed now and send us some pictures fast so we'll have something at 10 p.m.
O'BRIEN: Yes. I've got it. I still have about two hours to get in that gown. All right. Thank you, thank you so much. I will.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: That was my conversation with Soledad a little bit earlier tonight.
Check this out -- new video of tonight's awards dinner. There she is where she will be honored along with other top journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention. NABJ happening in Sand Diego. And again, congratulations to Soledad.
Meantime, someone else who is celebrating tonight -- Chelsea Clinton. She got married and we have the pictures to prove it. All of them coming up. There's another one. Hey, look, there is our former president with his beautiful daughter on her wedding day today.
And find out why one man feels compelled to spend his life diffusing deadly land mines. He even did it with his bare hands.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Each year, an estimated 200 to 300 Cambodians are injured or killed by some of the thousands of land mines still active 30 years after being planted by the Khmer Rouge. In fact, Cambodia is among the countries with the most land mines worldwide. This week's CNN hero planted many of them at the age of 11 as a child soldier. Now he's going back to remove the danger.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AKI RA, CNN HERO (through translator): My name is Aki Ra. I was born north of Siem Reap in Cambodia.
When I was 10 years old, the Khmer Rouge chose me to be a soldier. Then I was trained in how to lay land mines. Sometimes in a week we were ordered to plant 4,000 to 5,000 mines. We did not think about anything. But I got a sense it was wrong because I saw a lot of people dying. I put people in danger and damaged the country. After the war was over, I decided to clear mines by myself. My equipment was tools that I made myself.
My method of demining was simple, but it wasn't legal. Now, we're working legally and people have joined me. Now it's safe.
The villages are requesting us to demine because the people are afraid of mines. They step on it and die.
What makes me happy is I have done a lot of good things different from during the war. I have cleared thousands of mines. I want Cambodia to be safe.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: And since 1993, Aki Ra and his team have cleared about 50,000 land mines and war weapons.
There is only a few hours left to nominate someone to be a CNN hero. Nominations for 2010, they close tomorrow. So make the nomination at cnnheroes.com. The deadline almost here.
Chelsea Clinton tying the knot tonight in New York. More wedding pictures straight ahead. There's another one right there.
And other first -- former first children, from Caroline Kennedy to the Bush daughters, to Amy Carter, we're telling you where they are now. Where are they now?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right. It's a question that was on everybody's mind. Really, it was like the number one story on the internet, on CNN.com, on Twitter, it's trending. What is Chelsea Clinton's wedding dress look like? Who designed it? Well, we can unveil the first photos right now. And to help me do that -- Susan Candiotti, right in New York where the wedding happened. Festivities are still going on.
Let's talk about these pictures. Vera Wang gown, right?
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, that's right. Now, I have seen the pictures but I can't see them exactly as you are looking at them. So, you'll have to kind of march me through.
I presume one of the first ones we are seeing is looking down that long aisle as she is walking down the aisle.
LEMON: We saw that one before the break, Susan. The one we are looking at now seems to be them -- she and her husband standing out, and I think there's probably -- it looks like a lake or whatever behind you. And there's a long one down the aisle with the former president walking her down the aisle.
CANDIOTTI: There you go. Well, that's the Hudson River over their shoulder. That's estate overlooks the Hudson River. It's absolutely gorgeous. That 50-acre estate.
And yes, she is wearing that gown that is designed by Vera Wang. Everyone expected that to be the case and it came true. A beautiful gown with a lovely sash around her shoulders.
And then you see her husband Marc Mezvinsky, and he is wearing the traditional Jewish tallit draped around his shoulders. You can see that as well. And the couple is also seen in the different photographs as well standing under the traditional huppah.
And let's see. Then we can also tell you we see in the photograph of President Clinton, Hillary Clinton and the couple. You see that Hillary is wearing a beautiful gown designed by her long-time friend Oscar De La Renta.
Now we also have some additional details on the reception. I can tell you first of all, I know one of the things I want to know about is the wedding cake. The cake, we are told, is gluten-free from a company called, well, there you go, La Tulipe Desserts.
Now, perhaps what some people who follow things -- are interested in following is that the reception and also the cake was made by people who are not from this area, actually. The dessert company is from a company in Mt. Kisco, New York, which is near Chappaqua, which of course is where the Clintons live. And the wedding reception was catered by the Saint Regis Hotel in New York City, we are told.
The ceremony also took place outdoors, and you can imagine how beautiful that must have been on that large estate that belonged to the late millionaire John Jacob Astor. As we said, 50 acres. Simply beautiful with a view of the Hudson River over their shoulders.
As far as we know, Don, that reception is still going on. And we know the planes aren't allowed to fly over there until at least 3:00 in the morning. But as we said earlier, I'm sure this party will be going on for a long time. Not sure whether the honeymoon will happen right away or if it's scheduled down the road. Try to find out. Still working on that.
LEMON: But guess what. I am sure we will be reporting about it. So, Susan Candiotti, thank you. By the way, she looks beautiful. The pictures are just, just lovely. Thank you, Susan.
And you know, the wedding festivities got us wondering what has happened to other former first kids. It is a quintessential question. Where are they now? That's what I asked presidential historian, Doug Wead, and he filled me in on a surprising characteristic that a lot of presidential children have in common.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DOUG WEAD, PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: They don't like -- they don't like public life. I interviewed 19 of these kids and they tasted public life and they have been in private life and they prefer private.
But Jenna, of course, is an author and she is working as an NBC correspondent for the "Today" show.
LEMON: OK. What about her sister then -- Jenna's sister, Barbara Bush?
WEAD: Well, her sister is a co-founder of a nonprofit company that works with health issues and is seeking equity between Africa and the U.S. and health care needs, and that is kind of her heart. Very private person.
LEMON: Yes, she was always -- I think she was a bit quieter than Jenna as well. We didn't see as much of her.
WEAD: It's true, but so many of them are private. Julie Eisenhower called her sister Tricia the Howard Hughes of the White House. And Chelsea has been called the Garbo of presidential children. And Amy, you can't find.
LEMON: You bring up a very good point, but we're going to run down the list here. So don't get ahead of me. You bring up a very good point because there are people who are out there and, you know, this new breed of celebrity, with reality shows, or whatever. And for people who want fame, I think many times they don't know what the heck they're getting into. Because you don't have any privacy at all. Especially when you're a first daughter.
WEAD: Yes. And these children are vigilant in protecting their privacy and their dignity, but occasionally, look what happened. Caroline Kennedy entered public life just briefly and got knocked around a little bit.
LEMON: And John Kennedy Jr. as well before his death. He started the magazine -- I forgot the name of the magazine which he started before he died. "George." It was called "George."
Hey, listen, let's run down the list. We will finish the list and we will chat more.
WEAD: All right.
LEMON: Amy Carter? What is she doing now?
WEAD: OK. Amy Carter is one I have written pages about her because she was involved in anti-nuclear proliferation and many causes. But she has disappeared off the face of the earth. She is out there shopping at Target somewhere in the night and the cashier doesn't even know she had a transaction with the former -- the daughter of the former president of the United States.
LEMON: You know what? I have to say good for her. Good for her.
Ron Reagan, he was always outspoken. I remember back in the 80's, I think he used to have a late night talk show. What is he doing now?
WEAD: Well, you have seen him on MSNBC. He has a contract there. He is a journalist. And Ron Reagan Jr., it's interesting, is a Democrat and espouses Democrat views. And many of these presidential children do espouse different views from their father. They are establishing their own separate identity. FDR had a son who actually opposed him for reelection. So, that sometimes happens among these presidential children.
LEMON: Can you imagine, you know, you have a fight with your family. You disagree with somebody. You are the president of the United States and your own son doesn't vote for you. Many times, it's like I won't vote for my dad when I was upset with him.
All right. Let's go with Tricia Nixon. We said she was walked down the aisle 1971 by her father in the Rose Garden of the White House. What is she doing now?
WEAD: Yes. Well, she serves on a board for the presidential library with her sister, Julie. And Tricia Nixon, also Cox, also serves on a board -- medical board, and another museum board. But she is focused on raising her family. Her wedding, by the way, was the high water mark of these weddings. It was a primetime two-hour special in the evening and seen by people all over the world. She was a beautiful bride.
LEMON: I would love to talk to you more. I love stuff like this. And I think viewers like that, where are they now, you know, sort of thing, when you do that. Thank you, Doug Wead. Doug Wead is a presidential historian and as he says, he has written about lot of these people we have spoken about.
Thank you. Have a great evening.
WEAD: Hey, thanks for having me.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: A teenage girl at the mall. Then it really gets wild.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I thought I was just going stop him but he kept running so I was like OK, I guess you are going to the ground.
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LEMON: A would-be thief found out the hard way that this high school cheerleader is the last person he would want to run into.
Also ahead tonight, gator country, and boy, do I mean it. A brave fisherman wanders right into the middle of a feeding frenzy and lives to tell about it.
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LEMON: Time right now for what we call "News You Missed." And the first story this week in "News You Missed," this is a place you definitely don't want to fall out of the boat. You are looking at hundreds of alligators. That's in Georgia's Okenofe -- Okefokee -- Okefenokee -- why do I always say that -- Okefenokee Swamp. It is a rare feeding frenzy. The gators had herded lots of fish into a confined area then pigged out. Most people would have made a hasty retreat back to shore but the fisherman who shot this video just -- he just motored slowly through the gators so he could go fishing elsewhere. I think I would have turned around.
You know, everyone at Moore High School in Oklahoma knows junior Kealey Edwards is an outstanding cheerleader. Just look at her moves right there. But right now they know she has a secret identity and that is crime fighter. Last weekend, at the mall talking on her cell phone to her mom, an alleged shoplifter suddenly bolted right in her direction.
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KEALY EDWARDS, TACKLED ALLEGED SHOPLIFTER: I was like hang on mom and I put the phone down. And he got close to me and I got in his way and I just like grabbed him and he kept turning around. So I just slammed him on the ground. I was shaking. I was like nervous because I didn't know why I did that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, the fact that Kealey was wearing a dress didn't stop her from leaping into action. Despite her quick action, police strongly discourage the public from intervening in these types of situations.
Thanks for joining. I'm Don Lemon at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. I will see you back here tomorrow night, 6, 7 and 10 p.m. Eastern. Thanks for watching again and good night.