Political Quotes

“The gentleman mentioned SEIU organizing, and I am reminded of an incident that recently happened in my community where I was just totally saddened. There was an effort to organize a group of hospital workers. Some members of the African American community took the position that why should blacks join a labor union. They sort of launched a campaign by saying, well, the unions have not done anything for African Americans. I was pained, because I was saying to myself, ``How little you actually know. How little you really understand.'' A. Philip Randolph, who put together the Sleeping Car Porters, who became a group of very dignified individuals who traveled all over America taking not only information, not only doing their work, but oftentimes taking black newspapers to parts of the country where there were not any, taking the Chicago Defender, the Pittsburgh Courier, the Chronicle, papers and information. So I just want to commend you, again, for putting together this opportunity for us to continue to raise our voices, to continue to recognize the need to implement those men and women who are on the firing lines every day, working to raise the quality of life and the level of living not only for themselves, but for all of America. I certainly am pleased to join with the gentleman. I want to see the minimum wage raised to what becomes what we call a livable wage. I think America will flourish as we continue to organize and develop our people.”