Political Quotes

“I believe that each and every one of us is here as a Member of the House of Representatives because the bottom line is we care about people. We believe differently as to how we best help people, but we are here to help people. Let us remember that this bill is about helping people. Six and a half weeks ago the levees broke on the Red River, inundating Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. This is a photograph that appeared in the newspaper, of a woman being told in the dead of night that she has to get out of her home, leave all her possessions, because the water is about to take everything she knows and holds dear. The trauma of such an event in such a middle America place like Grand Forks, ND, is beyond my ability to describe to my colleagues, but I was there and, believe me, it was God awful. Now the people are being traumatized by another occurrence, this one not a natural disaster but a Congress-made one. We need help. It is very clear. It is very clear to any American that has watched the news footage about what we have gone through just how badly we need help. People from around the country have responded in wonderful ways, small ways, like the 7-year-old that dropped off some canned goods so I could send them back to the people I represent; and, large ways, like the woman who gave $15 million in individual grants of assistance.”