Political Quotes

“this is truly a historic week in Washington. Those of us who were among the millions who were on the Mall a few days ago witnessed a moment in history which I am sure we will talk about, and future generations will refer to, for a long time. Someone during the course of this lead-up, the few days of preinaugural activities, said it was the third chapter in America's social history. The first chapter was when Thomas Jefferson announced, then wrote, that all men were created equal, endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, but living in a time when even in his own household there was slavery. That was the first chapter. In the second chapter, they referred to, of course, Abraham Lincoln, who said it is worth blood and war to fight for this right of equality and to preserve this union dedicated to that principle. And, of course, what happened this Tuesday was the third chapter, a graphic validation of the fact that America has made dramatic progress toward equality. There is so much more to do, and I am particularly honored that the man who now leads our Nation is one whom I served with as a colleague in the Senate, a person I encouraged to run, and a person who I think has grown immeasurably to the position he has reached today. America has so much faith in Barack Obama and what he can bring, but he is the first to caution us that we face unparalleled challenges.”