Political Quotes

On the recordFebruary 23, 1994
Mr. Speaker, it occurred to me, listening to this very interesting debate, that we are making a national and international hero out of this scoundrel who has uttered these disgraceful, awful things. He will be the only person in world history, to the best of my knowledge, whose speech has been officially condemned by the U.S. Congress. I can see advertisements all over the world, especially in those parts of the world who do not look kindly on the United States, 'Speech by Mr. Muhammad tonight. This speech has been condemned by the United States Congress.' You know, Sam Donaldson makes $25,000 a speech. Maybe Mr. Muhammad in certain parts of the world, certain countries, can now make lucrative speeches because of what we are going to do today and what the other body, unthinkingly did the other day. Each of us ought to condemn the terrible, obscene things that Mr. Muhammad said at Kean College. We ought to carry signs around. We ought to have special orders at night and get up one after another and condemn the speech. It is terrible, really, it is disgraceful.
Said by
William Edwards
Democratic · California

Editor's note · Context

The speaker criticizes the Congress for condemning a controversial speech, arguing it elevates the speaker's status.

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