Political Quotes

“I rise today to encourage and to applaud Congress for putting this resolution before us to honor Rosa Parks. Rosa Parks changed the course of history when, on December 1, 1955, she refused to give up her seat to a white man. The fact is I would like to think that there were white folks in her city that wanted things to change, that wanted equal opportunity and equal access and equal rights to all parts of society in her community, but they did not act. Rosa Parks did act, and she had the courage, the quiet courage, to make a profound difference. By her actions, she encouraged and created a movement that was largely credited for passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act in the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Today we still do not have the harmony that we seek in this country. We are still not a country that has figured out how to live together with all the good and best interests for every child, every individual in this country. Rosa Parks served as an inspiration to us in 1955. I hope that by awarding this congressional medal she will continue to serve as an inspiration to all of us and to our children. Many times today people do not believe that one person can make a difference. They feel cynical and they feel hopeless and helpless, and because of that, they do not act.”