Political Quotes

“I will point out that it is not a criminal act to be in the United States as an immigrant. The suggestion in the 21st century that the term ``illegal alien'' is an appropriate one is similar to suggesting that we continue to use the term ``Negro.'' We evolve in this country, and it is understandable that someone who was not a member of a group of immigrants wouldn't understand that that term could feel pejorative. So we, as a responsible body, should evolve as society evolves. To continue to insist that the Library of Congress by law use a pejorative term that they have been petitioned to change by the American Library Association so that researchers can search for the appropriate term when they are doing research is truly unbelievable. To be so committed to racist and bigoted terms that really have no place in the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill is outrageous. That is why this language should have been deleted. I think it is truly unfortunate that the majority did not have at least the courage to allow my amendment and Congressman Castro's amendment to be made in order so that we could have a proper debate on this subject on the floor of the House of Representatives. {time} 1900 I will point out and remind the chairman that my amendment that would have done just that only was defeated in the Appropriations Committee by one vote. So this is not a slam dunk when it comes to your side of the aisle either.…”