Political Quotes

“I thank Madam Chairwoman Maloney for yielding, and I salute her for her leadership in bringing this historic legislation to the floor. All of us join in saluting Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, who has been the patron saint of D.C. statehood since she came to Congress. She has been tireless, persistent, and dissatisfied as she has built historical support for this bill, which passed in the previous Congress with 235 votes. I rise as Speaker of the House to join my colleagues on this momentous day for American democracy as we right a historic injustice by passing legislation to finally grant Washington, D.C., statehood. Statehood for the District of Columbia is about showing respect for our democracy, for the American people, and for our Constitution. That Constitution begins with our preamble, ``We the people,'' setting out our Founders' vision of a government of, by, and for the people. Yet, for more than two centuries, the people of Washington, D.C., have been denied their right to fully participate in their democracy. D.C., as Congresswoman Norton mentioned, pays more Federal taxes per capita than any other State. Its budget is larger than 12 States. Its population is larger than two States. Its people have fought in every American war since the Revolution. D.C. residents have been fighting for voting rights and autonomy for 220 years, with a full 86 percent recently voting for statehood.…”