Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the Representative for yielding and allowing me to participate in celebrating Black History Month. Mr. Speaker, this week, I will be introducing the Frederick Douglass Congressional Gold Medal Act, which would honor Frederick Douglass with a long overdue expression of appreciation and celebrate his legacy with a Congressional Gold Medal. I am proud to offer this bipartisan legislation with my colleague, Congressman Andy Harris, whose district includes the historic birthplace of Mr. Douglass. Mr. Speaker, nearly 130 years since his passing, Frederick Douglass' remarkable life remains a beacon of inspiration to all Americans. Born into slavery on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Mr. Douglass overcame countless obstacles to become one of the most powerful and impactful figures in 19th century America. Douglass was enslaved for the first two decades of his life. During this period, he taught himself to read and write, skills which would later play a critical role in his life as an abolitionist and civil rights leader. In his twenties, Douglass escaped slavery, first to New York and then eventually settling in Massachusetts. Douglass dedicated the remainder of his life to furthering the cause of freedom for others in America. Beginning in the 1840s, Douglass became active in the abolitionist movement, often utilizing his profound oratory and writing skills to captivate and inform his audiences.…”