Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise in solidarity with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus in support of the people of Haiti. Last weekend, in my district, I held a citywide interfaith prayer service where we sought God's grace and mercy for the lives of those who were lost in last week's earthquake as well as for the survivors, the rescue workers and those who, miraculously, continue to be pulled alive from the rubble. I strongly support the swift action, last week, by the Obama Administration to grant temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants already living in this country. I urge the Administration to continue to bring the full weight and resources of the federal government in support of a nation whose history intersects with that of the founding of the United States. Haiti is a nation to whom our nation owes an enormous debt of gratitude. It was the brave people of Haiti who tirelessly fought French aggressors, in the early 1800s, thereby preventing that nation from advancing to the shores of America in the early years after the founding of our republic. My commitment to Haiti is to do all I can do, in our nation's capitol and at home in Chicago, to help restore, rebuild and strengthen Haiti. My hope and prayer is that it will emerge stronger than it was before last week's tragic turn of events.”