Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I just returned from a congressional delegation trip to Nigeria, which was both eye-opening and moving. Nigeria is a country of huge possibilities. It is an oil rich nation, the largest in Africa, with a population that will surpass the United States by 2050. It is mired with corrupt political leaders and a weakened police and military, leading to a dire political climate of joblessness in the northeast and giving rise to a terrorist organization of mostly young men called Boko Haram. They burn schools, churches, mosques, and police stations. They rob, steal, kidnap, and murder innocent victims in their path. Their violence has resulted in the deaths of thousands in the last decade. Boko Haram's most notorious activity, which was the focus of our trip, was the recent kidnapping of 270 innocent girls attending school. These girls remain hidden--most likely scattered--and subjected to unimaginable crimes. This kidnapping received international attention for a short time, and then, like the girls, disappeared. While in Nigeria, we met with victims of Boko Haram, as well as political, military, and civic leaders. We learned of the horrific suffering at the hands of Boko Haram and the inability of the corrupt Nigerian government, which is involved in a competitive upcoming election, to stop this violence.…”