Political Quotes

“I rise to introduce, along with my friend and colleagues, Senator D'Amato, a bill to designate President Grant's tomb a national monument. This April 27 will be the centennial of the dedication of the tomb. I can think of no better observance than to pass this designation and the other provisions in this bill that would protect and preserve the tomb and make it more attractive to visitors. The Nation owes President Grant a great debt for his efforts during the Civil War alone. He proved to be the capable general President Lincoln lacked in the early years of that conflict. Grant provided the leadership, strategy, determination, and courage to do what was necessary to win the war. He should also be remembered for his efforts to include Blacks in the Union Army and later for his relentless opposition to the Ku Klux Klan. Many Southerners appreciated his generous terms with General Lee, which included allowing Lee's men to keep their horses for the spring plowing. Grant went on to become the eighteenth President and to serve two terms. In 1881 the former President moved to New York City, and four years later to Mount McGregor near Saratoga. He died in 1885. In the next few years, 90,000 people contributed to a fundraising effort that brought in $600,000. This was enough to build structure on Riverside Drive in Manhattan modeled on the tombs of the Emperor Hadrian in Rome, Napoleon in Paris, and King Mausolis in Turkey.”