Political Quotes

“I thank the gentlewoman from Alabama, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, for her leadership and for introducing and driving forth this legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the foot soldiers of Selma who fought for African Americans' right to vote. I thank her for the opportunity to speak. Mr. Speaker, it is very interesting and moving and inspiring to listen to the debate on this legislation, to hear the majority leader, to hear other Members of the Congress talk about how important what happened at Selma was to our country and what promise it made for the future of our country. I would hope that the logical conclusion of that--when we see people who are beaten and, in some instances at that time, killed, fighting for the right to vote--is that we would truly honor them not only with a Gold Medal, as wonderful as that is, but by passing the Voting Rights Act on the floor of the House. Today, listening to our colleagues, I am reminded of a day almost a year ago, around March of last year, when we dedicated the statue of Rosa Parks in the Capitol of the United States. How exciting--an African American woman to join the ranks of all those men out there. Many more striving to bring diversity, recognizing the great leadership of Rosa Parks. While we were there that very day, dedicating the statue of Rosa Parks, across the street at the Supreme Court they were hearing the arguments on the Voting Rights case.…”