Political Quotes

“of course we realize that this fantastic event took place about 50 years ago. This is a bill that would help memorialize this event and give it some national historical impact so that everyone will be able to realize that it is a part of history. I wish to thank the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Lewis] for his forethought and his tenacity in continuing this effort to make this bill one that will pay recognition to all of those who marched with him from Selma to Montgomery. The communities of Selma and Montgomery began this project years ago in recognition of the importance of this 50-mile stretch from the steps of Brown Chapel in Selma to the Alabama State Capitol Building. The struggle of those brave men and women, numbering almost 25,000 near the end, inspired this Nation and in fact inspired this Congress to start righting the wrongs of the past. That journey has already begun and significant progress has been made. Today we hope to reaffirm that progress by remembering the beginning. Mr. Speaker, it is important that we show all Americans, as well as visitors to our great Nation, our belief in those who came before us and for what they did. This trail will cement a place in history for the leaders of our movement. Selma and Montgomery will become historical designations, along with Philadelphia, Gettysburg, and even Washington, DC, to be surveyed by historians in the future. They will come and study.…”