On the recordDecember 18, 2019
Mr. Speaker, today I reflect on the imperatives of two sons of Massachusetts: John Adams, who, in one sentence, captured the very foundation of our country, saying, we are a government of laws, not men--translation: no one is above the law; and John F. Kennedy, who, in his iconic City Upon a Hill address, cautioned that any one of us holding public office would be judged by the high court of history on whether we were truly men and women of courage, with the courage to stand up to one's enemies and the courage to stand up, as well, to one's associates, the courage to resist public pressure as well as private greed, and on whether we are truly men and women of integrity who never run out of the principles in which we believe and for whom neither financial gain nor political ambition could ever divert from the fulfillment of our sacred trust. President Donald Trump, indifferent and disdainful of this sacred trust, conspired to extract personal benefit from his office. He dishonored his oath. I refuse to abandon mine. {time} 1730





