Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, let me first thank you, Congresswoman Kelly and Congressman Payne, for your leadership. Your leadership is very much appreciated, and your constituents in your respective districts should be very proud of each one of you. I know the Congressional Black Caucus is proud of you. For the past several weeks, Mr. Speaker, the Nation has been focused on the Confederate battle flag. Most fair-minded Americans have been asking the question: Why is this flag continuing to fly on State grounds and Federal lands? And why are policymakers refusing to squarely address this issue? The Confederate battle flag, Mr. Speaker, represents an era of American history that ended--or at least it should have ended--150 years ago. This flag represents the years following President Lincoln's election. Those years starting in December of 1860 saw 11 Southern States leave the Union. The fancy name for their leaving the Union, Mr. Speaker, was called secession, but the reality was that these Southern States were rebelling. They were in rebellion against the Union. They organized a so-called government called the Confederate States of America. They took up arms, Mr. Speaker, and they fought against the Union for 4 long years until they surrendered. They then returned to the Union. The Confederate flag represents that era where Southern States were resisting freedom for 4 million slaves.…”