Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor and privilege to come before the House this evening to celebrate the memory of a major trailblazer in our Nation, one who was a fierce crusader for justice and equality, an American who was a quiet man, with a quiet demeanor, but a giant in terms of his accomplishments, his courage, and the things he did not only for his local constituency, the city of Gary, Indiana, but the African American community and America at large. Mr. Speaker, I am speaking of the one and only, the first Black mayor of Gary, Indiana, Mayor Richard Gordon Hatcher. Sadly, Mayor Hatcher passed away at the age of 86 on the 13th of December, 2019. Although he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on. His legacy, his work, his love, his sacrifices continue to be felt in these very Halls of Congress, throughout the city hall of Gary, Indiana, and indeed, throughout these State legislative halls, these halls of municipal governments in cities all across this Nation. Mayor Hatcher was one who carved and made a way for African Americans who are elected officials even to this very day. When Mayor Hatcher was first elected mayor of Gary, Indiana, there were but few elected officials of African American descent in the Nation, but there now exists over 10,000 African American elected officials.…”