Daniel Inouye: “on January 31, 1963, I gave my maiden speech in the Senate. That is over 40 years ago--42 years ago. At that moment, the…”

“on January 31, 1963, I gave my maiden speech in the Senate. That is over 40 years ago--42 years ago. At that moment, the Senate was embroiled in a very heated debate on civil rights. The question before the Senate was the filibuster because many of my colleagues, especially those who were designated as liberals, looked upon the filibuster as the major obstacle to the granting of civil rights to the oppressed minority of this Nation. On that day, I was given the right to the floor and I gave a short speech. I think it is quite relevant at this moment. If I may, these are the words of 31 January 1963: Mr. President, I fully understand the respected custom of this body which advises a new member to sit in his chair, to listen quietly and learn before he rises to speak to the Senate himself. There is wisdom in that custom, as there is in most customs which last through years of trial and experience. I would not willingly break that honored silence, but because this debate calls to question the place of the minority in a democratic political system, I feel I must say these few words in deep but passionate humility, for I am a member of a minority in a sense few other Senators have ever been. I understand the hopelessness that a man of unusual color or feature experiences in the face of constant human injustice. I understand the despair of a human heart crying for comfort to a world it cannot become a part of and to a family of man that has disinherited him.…”