Political Quotes

Bill Bennett: “America was discovered accidentally by a great seaman who was looking for something else. When discovered, it was not…”

On the recordSeptember 4, 1996
America was discovered accidentally by a great seaman who was looking for something else. When discovered, it was not wanted and most of the exploration for the next 50 years was done in the name of getting through or around it. America was named after a man who discovered no part of it. History is like that, very chancy. Mr. President, that is why we are going into space. No, we do not know with exactness what we are going to find. We cannot predict it any more than the people who discovered this continent from the European side could predict what would happen, and indeed what we find there may not be wanted just as this country was not wanted for a long period of time.
Said by
Bill Bennett

Editor's note · Context

Discussing the importance of the space station and exploration during a Senate debate.

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