Political Quotes

On the recordMay 5, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we have had an opportunity over the course of the last many months to witness the unprecedented goodness and kindness of the American people. Time and again in rising above the petty differences that frequently keep us in dispute within this institution, we have asked no question of political party or affiliation. We have watched former Presidents of the United States who sharply might disagree on a host of issues to lead an effort to help the people of Haiti to get through this difficult time caused by the consequences of this devastating earthquake. But throughout all of these measures, you're struck by de Tocqueville's notion of what set America apart from the rest of the world. And de Tocqueville, as you know, in finding it challenging to describe what it was that differentiated America from the rest of the world, he simply described it as a ``habit of the heart.'' And today I think this institution with this proposal that's in front of us embraces again that American notion of the decency of habits of our heart. This Haiti-HELP Act provides crucial additional trade preferences to help out our Haitian friends to rebuild their economy and lives in the wake of this devastating earthquake.
Said by
Rich Neal
Democratic · Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

The speaker addresses the American response to the Haiti earthquake and the importance of the Haiti-HELP Act.

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