Political Quotes

“Madam President: Who is in charge of the clattering train? The axles creak and the couplings strain, And the pace is hot and the points are near, And sleep hath deadened the driver's ear, And the signals flash through the night in vain, For death is in charge of the clattering train. That is a poem from the 1930s that was quoted by Winston Churchill in his book ``The Gathering Storm.'' I rise today in the wake of a terrible tragedy, of a clattering train, where death was in charge--one that left more than 60 people missing, 20 confirmed dead, and has devastated a community. But despite the magnitude of this amazing loss, it is also a story of human heroism at its highest level. I am referring to a horrific accident that occurred early last Saturday morning when a 72-car train carrying crude oil derailed in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, near the border of western Maine. As the train erupted into all-engulfing flames, it came crashing into the town demolishing everything in its path. Cars and buildings were instantly incinerated, pavement on the roads literally melted away, and sidewalks crumbled from the intense heat and pressure. As a result, nearly a full six city blocks were completely leveled, forcing almost 2,000 residents to flee their homes--a third of Lac-Megantic's total population. And while local Canadian firefighters battled the flames valiantly-- and I mean valiantly--it became clear they desperately needed support.…”