Political Quotes

“today I rise on behalf of a constituency that during the past few weeks we have heard a great deal about but very little from, and as I sat watching and listening to the debate, as I listened to many of the myths and stereotypes of poor people which have sprung up because their voices often are not heard in the great decision and influence making centers of our society, I wondered why. As I sat and watched and listened, I found myself wondering why the gallery was not filled with poor people and with advocates for the poor, with lobbyists pushing their position. I wondered why there were not thousands of people surrounding the Capitol or holding meetings and rallies in public housing developments throughout the land. Then it occurred to me that public housing residents are oftentimes easy targets, oftentimes poor, uneducated, unemployed, unskilled, unorganized, unregistered, underfed, undernourished and physically segregated. Therefore, many of the people see no need to challenge the myths, stereotypes, preconceptions, misconceptions and erroneous notions about who they are and how they live in public housing.”