Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 515, the Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act. Before I begin my prepared remarks, however, I would like to take a moment to honor the life of former President Vaclav Havel, an inspirational leader and lifelong advocate for the cause of freedom. Throughout his lifetime, Havel was part of an incredible transformation of Czechoslovakia, from an oppressive, communist Soviet satellite to the free, democratic, independent nation that is the Czech Republic. Many people at that time had given up hope that such a transformation was possible. It was beyond their imagination. But Vaclav Havel never lost faith and believed that people yearning for liberty could come together and affect incredible change. Even following the liberation of his own country, Mr. Havel continued to champion the cause of the oppressed around the world, adding his voice to those calling for freedom in countries throughout Europe, the Balkans, and even my native homeland of Cuba. {time} 1650 As he eloquently said after the Velvet Revolution that brought liberty to his people: ``None of us know all of the potentialities that slumber in the spirit of the population, or all the ways in which that population can surprise us when there is the right interplay of events.'' It is therefore fitting that we come here today to consider this measure to support the democratic movement in a country relatively near Mr.…”