Elijah Lewis

The Public Record

Quotes by year · 1995–2009227 total · peak 1997 (35)

★ Featured Quote

February 10, 2009

Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago today, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, took a historic trip to India to travel and study the path of Mahatma Gandhi. Dr.…

— Elijah Lewis

Most widely reported

by number of sources

I think it is fitting and appropriate that we pause, as a Nation and as a people, to remember the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who changed America forever. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. He had emerged as a leader, not just for a people, but for a Nation. His leadership and commitment to a truly interracial democracy played a key role in ending legal segregation in America. He led the first major nonviolent campaign in modern America when he emerged as the leader of the Montgomery bus boycott that lasted 381 days. He inspired thousands and thousands of people to follow the way of nonviolence. In doing so, he inspired other movements and had an effect on so many young people and some not so young. Just think, a few short years ago, in America, there were signs that said, 'White women, Colored women,' 'White men, Colored men,' 'White waiting, Colored waiting.' There was segregation in public accommodations and transportation. Men and women of color could not even register to vote. Dr. King created a climate, created an environment that the power of the courts, the power of Congress, and the President of the United States couldn't look the other way; they couldn't say no. In his short life, he led the American people on a journey that is ongoing even today.2 sources2008govinfo.gov
I rise today to praise courageous fire fighters in the City of Atlanta. On Monday afternoon, members of the Atlanta City Fire Department fought a raging fire through the historic Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill in southeast Atlanta. Mr. Ivers Sims was trapped on a crane 220 feet in the air. As I watched this human drama unfold from my office, my heart stopped. Demonstrating extraordinary courage and skill, fire fighter Matt Moseley lifted Mr. Sims from his dangerous perch like angels from the heavens. They saved his life. This brilliant rescue has made the City of Atlanta, the State of Georgia, and our Nation proud. The fire fighters and Mr. Sims have my profound respect for their raw courage and extraordinary calm and determination under the most dangerous of circumstances. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to praise fire fighters throughout the Nation who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve our communities.2 sources1999govinfo.gov
Mr. Chairman, the Republican budget is irresponsible, irrational, and just plain wrong. It is a sham, it is a shame, and it is a disgrace. The Republican budget buries us in a pile of debt and puts us in a much deeper financial hole; and it is the obligation of the Republicans, the majority party, to dig us out. The Republicans have destroyed the lock box and thrown away the key. Mr. Chairman, Social Security is a sacred trust, a covenant with the American people. It is a promise that should never, ever be broken. But the Republican budget spends $225 billion of the Social Security trust fund on other government programs. Social Security is a safety net for many Americans, allowing them to live with dignity. But the Republican budget takes away that safety net. Republicans are stealing the Social Security trust fund. The Republicans are taking the security out of Social Security. Mr. Chairman, I urge all of my colleagues tonight to vote for the people, vote for the old folks, vote for the disabled, and vote against the Republican budget.2 sources2002govinfo.gov
the American people want tax relief. They want lower taxes. But, Mr. Speaker, the American people want a tax cut that goes to the people who need it the most, America's working families. The Republican tax bill is a boom for Wall Street, but a bust for Main Street. The Republican tax bill gives little relief to working people, people struggling to pay their mortgage, pay their car loan, pay their credit card bill and send their kids to college. The Republicans give most of their tax breaks to the wealthiest people in America. Almost 60 percent of the Republican tax breaks go to people earning $250,000 a year or more. That is not right, it is not fair, and it is not just. It is not what the American people want. The Democrats want and the American people want a tax cut that goes to the middle class, to the hard-working families that need it the most. These are the people who deserve tax relief. Let us not give it away to the yacht owners, the junk bond traders and Rolls Royce drivers. Let us say no to the Republican tax bill.2 sources1997govinfo.gov
we have not done our work. The Republican controlled Congress has not finished its work. Where is the Patients' Bill of Rights? Where is a prescription drug benefit? Where is the minimum wage legislation? Where are the 100,000 new teachers? Where is the new school construction? Where is the juvenile justice bill? The majority party has not done its work. We have not been fair to the American people. They deserve better. They should get better. They need our help, and Congress has done nothing. We are nearing the end of another "do nothing" Congress that has not done anything, not anything, not one thing for the American people. We should be ashamed to leave this place, be ashamed to close this Congress and not to be finished with the American people's agenda.2 sources2000govinfo.gov
the right to vote is precious, almost sacred, and one of the most important blessings of our democracy. The Stearns amendment is an attack on the voting rights of millions of American citizens. It is a modern day literacy test. This is not about illegal immigration. These are American citizens we are talking about. If the Stearns amendment becomes law, what message are we sending to the Apache, to the Navajo Nation, to the Native Alaskan, to Vietnamese Americans, to Russian Jews, who are all citizens? These are our neighbors. They are taxpayers. They are Americans. We should be opening up the process to each and every American. Let them come in and participate. Instead, this amendment will return us to the dark past. I don't think we want to go back as a Nation and as people. Vote ``no'' on Stearns.2 sources2006govinfo.gov

Feb 3, 2009

I have been listening to the people on the other side. It is unbelievable; it is unreal. Our country is in trouble; deep trouble. The economy is in a ditch. This President has offered a plan, a plan that he believes and 85 percent of the…

govinfo.gov

Jun 24, 2008

Mr. Speaker, like any other great and necessary journey, the journey to improve Medicare must start with a first step. Although we can and must do more, this bill is that first step. I want to just mention the pulmonary rehabilitation…

govinfo.gov

Jun 23, 2008

I want to thank Mr. Conyers, the chairman of the full committee, for his leadership and for his dedication to the issue and the cause of civil rights, and for bringing this resolution to the floor. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay…

govinfo.gov

Jun 12, 2008

I rise today for the weary Americans who are working harder than they ever have but still find themselves falling behind. I rise today for Americans all across this country and especially those in my home State of Georgia who are hurting…

govinfo.gov

Jun 11, 2008

I want to thank Mr. McDermott for yielding and for bringing this necessary piece of legislation to us today. It is basic, it is common sense, it is the right thing to do. People are calling out. They're crying out for help. They ask, where…

govinfo.gov

Apr 30, 2008

the President wants to blame the Democrats for the economic mess he's made. He is the one who wants to sweep our problems under the rug. He should be ashamed of himself. When he came into office, the previous administration had created…

govinfo.gov

Apr 22, 2008

in honor of the 38th celebration of Earth Day, I would like to take this time to reflect on the progress we are making for the health of our planet--and to challenge all Americans--each and every one of us--to re-dedicate ourselves to…

govinfo.gov

Apr 15, 2008

On Tax Day, it is so important that we bring H.R. 5719 to the floor of the House. Taxpayers must be treated fairly, and they deserve all the help we can give them. This bill draws, in part, on legislation authored by myself and many…

govinfo.gov

Apr 1, 2008

I think it is fitting and appropriate that we pause, as a Nation and as a people, to remember the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who changed America forever. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee…

govinfo.gov

Mar 5, 2008

I rise today to give my full support to H.R. 1424, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health Parity Act. Discrimination against mental illness and addiction is wrong. It is dead wrong. Today, we end that discrimination in health insurance. I…

govinfo.gov

Dec 19, 2007

Billions of dollars, more billions of dollars to fund the war in Iraq. The best present, the best gift we could give to our young men and women in the military during this season of peace and goodwill would be to bring this madness to an…

govinfo.gov

Nov 7, 2007

I for one fought too long and too hard to end discrimination based on race and color not to stand up against discrimination against our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. During the 1960s, we broke down those signs that said ``white''…

govinfo.gov

Oct 18, 2007

today we must override the President's veto because it is the right thing to do for our children. We have a mission, an obligation, and a mandate to provide health insurance for all of the children and override the President's veto. We can…

govinfo.gov

Sep 10, 2007

Today we remember what happened at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon 6 years ago tomorrow. Just as it was 6 years ago, it is still unreal. It is still shocking. It is still unbelievable, but it did happen. Today we continue to…

govinfo.gov

Jul 24, 2007

While the legislation has done a reasonably good job of protecting most passengers with disabilities, it has had limited success in influencing air carriers to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals who require supplemental oxygen…

govinfo.gov

Jul 24, 2007

I come to the floor to compliment the chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Mr. Olver, on preparing an excellent and well-balanced appropriation bill. The large number of important priorities included in this bill…

govinfo.gov

Jul 19, 2007

269 Members of this body are on record in their support of this bipartisan amendment. It is simply wrong to punish the hospital before they have done anything wrong. So I urge all of my colleagues to support this bipartisan amendment. I…

govinfo.gov

Jul 12, 2007

This resolution is not a panacea. It will not get us out of Iraq tomorrow, next week or next month, but it is a step that will bring an end to this madness. Our President, the commander in chief, told us a few days ago, that the surge is…

govinfo.gov

May 3, 2007

Hate is too heavy a burden to bear. We have the opportunity, with this bill, to move this Nation one step forward toward laying down the burden, the burden of hate. With this legislation, we can send the strongest possible message that…

govinfo.gov

Apr 24, 2007

we are here today to honor one of our colleagues, Representative Juanita McDonald of the 37th District of California. Representative McDonald was an extraordinary woman. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama at a time of racial violence and…

govinfo.gov

Apr 17, 2007

I too, before I close this debate on this bill, join with my colleagues and others to mourn for the victims of this unspeakable, unbelievable, senseless act of violence at Virginia Tech. We mourn, we pray for the victims and for their…

govinfo.gov

Mar 27, 2007

Mr. Speaker, on March 13, 2007, the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing on housing tax issues related to the rebuilding of communities affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. These hurricanes created and caused…

govinfo.gov

Mar 19, 2007

I rise with deep concern that on this very day 4 years ago, our Nation inaugurated a conflict, an unnecessary war, a war of choice, not a necessity. The most comprehensive intelligence we have, the National Intelligence Estimate and the…

govinfo.gov

Mar 1, 2007

today there are powerful forces in America that want to take us backward, not forward. In the name of global competition, there are some who say that in order to be competitive in the world market that we must give away our standard of…

govinfo.gov

Politicians like Elijah Lewis