Political Quotes

“Mr. President, in honor of the National Park Service's 100th birthday year, I would like to recognize the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, which covers nine States and thousands of miles of land and water routes. The Trail of Tears is rooted in a painful, unfortunate time for our Nation. Following the passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, five tribes were forced from their homes and into what is now modern-day Oklahoma. These five major Southeast tribes consisted of Cherokee, Choctaw, Muscogee, Chickasaw, and Seminole Indians. The trail gets its name from the painful trips these individuals took across the country as disease, desertion, and death characterized many of their journeys. Arkansas is a State full of rich history and heritage. While it is sometimes painful to recall, the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail is a critical part of that history. The National Park Service gave this trail this distinction in an effort to preserve the story of the forced migration of these Native Americans. We must learn from the mistakes of our past so we do not repeat them in the future. ____________________”