Political Quotes

“I rise regretting that I was unable to be here when Marcy Kaptur, the gentlewoman from Ohio, was talking about Representative Louis Stokes. Congressman Stokes and I were very good friends. I had the opportunity to serve with him for many years. And I wanted to take this time, Mr. Speaker, to thank Ms. Kaptur for leading the special order. On August 18, we learned of the passing of our friend, former Representative Lou Stokes. He was a reluctant candidate, Mr. Speaker, who went on to serve his constituents for three decades. I have had the honor of serving here for 34 years. But when I first came here, of course, I thought Lou Stokes had been here forever. I don't really think I have been here forever. But he was a friend to all, respected by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle and beloved by his constituents. For three decades, he served here and left a lasting imprint on a State, our Nation, and, indeed, the world. Lou Stokes was the first African American to represent Ohio and the first to chair the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He was chairman as well of the Black Caucus and a tireless campaigner for civil rights and equality. Moreover, he was also the first African American to serve on the Appropriations Committee, where he and I were colleagues. I sat just two chairs from him for almost a decade along with Ms. Kaptur for a number of years. He chaired the Appropriations Subcommittee for Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development.…”