Political Quotes

“when Members retire from this institution, many of us stand up out of politeness to pay our respects. Today is different. Today, all of the Members of the House speaking truly speak from their heart. The world has changed much since a young Ron Dellums came to this body. He came here when we were mired in the depths of the Vietnam war. Today the world is at peace. He came when school children were fearful of being bombed by nuclear weapons from the Soviet Union because of the Cold War. Today they no longer have that fear, and the world is at nuclear peace. He came when Nelson Mandela was a prisoner and now he is a President. And in all of those steps of progress of history is the footprint of Ron Dellums. He has made a difference for our country, and he has made a difference for our world. And as we sit here and listen to the great accomplishments of Ron Dellums, I must say as his friend that we respect him because of what he has accomplished. We respect him for what he has done. But truly, we love him because of his deep personal character. Winston Churchill once said that we make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Based on what he has given both in making a difference and in his personal character, Ron Dellums has led a great and productive life. Mr. Speaker, when I think of Ron Dellums, I think of four words. Dignity is the first, perhaps his lasting legacy to this institution.”