Cord Byrd: “Today marks the 211th anniversary of one of the more momentous, but little-understood, perhaps, events in our country's…”

“Today marks the 211th anniversary of one of the more momentous, but little-understood, perhaps, events in our country's history. I will just take a few minutes to remind ourselves of that event and to consider just how the course of this Nation's history might have been forever altered if not for what transpired on July 16, 1787. It should be of special significance to Members of this body, because it was, fortunately for us, that those who attended the Philadelphia Convention were some of the ablest, brightest figures of the time; in fact, of any time. Ah, Mr. President, to have been a fly on the wall at that gathering! Truly, this was a gathering graced by an accumulation-- nay, an abundance--of wisdom, learning, grace, and dignity of a like not seen since the conclaves at Mt. Olympus! From Virginia alone, there were Washington, James Madison, George Mason, and Edmund Randolph; from Massachusetts, Elbridge Gerry and Rufus King; from Pennsylvania, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris and Benjamin Franklin; and from New York, Hamilton. Here was a constitutional dream team for the ages! And what a starting five! What foe could resist a lineup featuring Wilson's full-court vision, Madison's patience and tactical prowess, Hamilton's aggressive offense, Franklin's experience, and George Washington's dominating presence in the center, as the one who presided over the gathering.”