Political Quotes

On the record

U.S. State Secretaries of State

Quotes from current and former U.S. state secretaries of state.

Filter by
2,253 quotes

Current secretaries of state

Former secretaries of state

Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Feb 12, 1997

I marvel at his equanimity, his characteristic, and his never-failing courtesy. This is the way he has always been with me. But I must say that, notwithstanding that, I am amazed to hear the distinguished Senator stand on the floor this…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Feb 12, 1997

The Congress shall enforce and implement this article by appropriate legislation. So we are going to continue to enforce it. We are going to continue to operate under a statutory system. That is what I am saying. We have been operating…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Feb 12, 1997

There will not be any different system because the Congress itself will enforce that amendment by appropriate legislation.

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Feb 12, 1997

May I ask the distinguished Senator, who is going to be the judge of whether an estimate has been rendered in good faith, whether it is a responsible estimate, or whether there is a reasonable estimate?

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Feb 12, 1997

Would the Senator explain to me why the Judiciary Committee, in its analysis of section 6, took the pains to explain that "estimates," for example, "means good faith, responsible, and reasonable estimates made with honest intent to…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Jan 22, 1997

I rise today to introduce a critically important measure to ensure that sufficient funds will be made available over the next six years to complete the Appalachian Development Highway System by the year 2003, some 38 years after the…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Jan 7, 1997

I have never known any majority leader or minority leader to transgress upon the confidence of the membership in giving its acquiescence to the request. It is just that I thought there could be such a situation. I thought we ought to try…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Sep 26, 1996

I have been greatly troubled by it, as I am sure other Senators have been. Napoleon--who is not particularly one of my idols--and Josephine had a child on March 20, 1811. And when he was told by the doctors that the infant or the mother…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Sep 6, 1996

Wonderful, wonderful. May I say to the new child: Once in thy father's arms, a new born child, thou didst weep while those around thee smile; so live that in thy lasting sleep thou mayst smile while those around thee weep.

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Sep 6, 1996

He has thrice tasted the experience of immortality. He is living on a new plateau. What is the new child's name?

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Jul 30, 1996

I think we ought to have a vote and let that record be there for all to see in the future. Let me ask a question without losing my right to the floor, Mr. President. Does the distinguished Senator from Arizona know of any other bill…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Jul 25, 1996

The House has included a provision which would set up an artificial ratio of humanitarian aid relative to Azerbaijan and its region of Nagorno-Karabagh. Such ratios have no precedent in the delivery of humanitarian aid and are clearly…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Jul 25, 1996

On the matter of Azerbaijan, I understand that the House included a provision which would imply separate legal status to Nagorno-Karabagh, a region of Azerbaijan. The international community, through the Organization for Security and…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Jun 28, 1996

In a few days, this fair city will throw its annual birthday party. Truly, the Independence Day celebration here in the Nation's Capital, is like nowhere else in the country. It is larger, louder, and features a fireworks display to amaze…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Jun 27, 1996

Letting go of those whom we love is one of the most trying experiences, if not the most trying experience, in human existence. But looking back over a road of 78 years, it seems to me that much of life is about the seemingly simple process…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· May 22, 1996

This budget resolution cuts discretionary budget authority over the next 6 years by $356 billion and outlays by $295 billion. My amendment adds $106 billion in budget authority and $65 billion in outlays to pay for programs like crime…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Apr 23, 1996

People may restrict themselves, but here we are talking about an amendment that restricts the people from exercising their own good judgment as to selecting for additional terms men and women who have served them honestly and well. So we…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Apr 23, 1996

The Senator is preeminently correct. It is a very undemocratic amendment. It is saying to the people: You are not smart enough to make a choice, so we are going to put into automatic pilot the limitation on the service of your Senators or…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Apr 23, 1996

I am simply saying that Members who are elected to the Senate for a second term, under the pending constitutional amendment, could--and in some instances would, human nature being what it is--tend to forget their constituents, the people…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Mar 28, 1996

Mr. Samuels eloquently points out just one of the many concerns this country could very well face with the adoption of this legislation. He focuses on what might happen should our two-party system dissolve and allow for a rogue individual…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Mar 27, 1996

The Senator from Michigan is a man of great tenacity and perception and love for the Constitution and for him to deliver remarks on my behalf, he certainly has brightened my day. I am very grateful.

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Mar 27, 1996

I take this occasion to congratulate the distinguished Senator from Alaska [Mr. Stevens], and the other Members of the Senate who were conferees. As I sat and listened to him as he has outlined the changes that were brought within the bill…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Sep 14, 1995

Over the past number of weeks, we have witnessed a great deal of saber-rattling and speculation over the question of whether Congress and the President can avoid a Government shutdown, called, metaphorically, a train wreck, on October 1…

govinfo.gov
Cord Byrd
@cordbyrd· FL· Jun 30, 1995

My question was based on the statement that I understood the Senator to say earlier that her amendment was not typed up; it was just in handwriting. My question was, is she aware that an amendment does not have to be typed, that it can be…

govinfo.gov