Political Quotes

“Madam President, on another subject, I have come to this floor several times in recent months--maybe over the course of a couple of years--on my concerns about free speech on campus. There has been a lot said in opposition to reports of crackdown on speech on campuses, but today I come to the floor to give one shining example of a university upholding expressions of free speech and making it still happen. This all started with former University of Chicago President Robert Zimmer. The institution, starting with him and continuing, has consistently pushed back on the trends of safe spaces, trigger warnings, and the cancellation of invited speakers. Instead, in a letter to all incoming freshmen, the University of Chicago lays out its philosophy in plain English. In the letter to the 2020 freshman class, it said that one of the university's ``defining characteristics is our commitment to freedom of inquiry and expression.'' Now, this is more than just words; the university has consistently followed through on this policy. Even today, the university is still open to dissenting points of view. It even goes so far as to tell freshmen ``at times this may challenge you and even cause discomfort.'' They are absolutely right. The point of college is not to be coddled. The point of college or university is to learn. How can students do that if they don't step out of their comfort zone? I often say that my definition of a university is a place where controversy should run rampant.…”