Bill Pascrell: “If only we took the time in this society to deal with all ethnics, people of all racial persuasions in fairness, and…”

“If only we took the time in this society to deal with all ethnics, people of all racial persuasions in fairness, and that is what this resolution is all about: Fairness, honesty, breaking the stereotypes that many of us have learned; in fact, probably, taught without our even knowing. We recognize today the life and achievements of Antonio Meucci. He was a pauper. He had nothing. He came here with nothing. He could not even put $10 up for a patent application. And yet his life is one of brilliance in science, particularly. He is only a footnote in our history books. We all know those great publishers that steer the education process of America. He earns, if he is lucky, a footnote. Indeed, many local libraries, if you search for his name in a card catalog, you may come up empty. Yet, substantial evidence exists that he indeed developed the first telephone. It is Alexander Graham Bell who is most commonly given credit.”