Political Quotes

“I would like to also include for the Record the fact that the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recently issued a 14-page-long scathing report on the United States' failure to fully comply with our obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in numerous areas affecting racial and ethnic minorities. While the report commended the Obama administration for steps it has taken to combat racial discrimination, it highlighted the gaps stated commitments and the glaring reality of laws and practices that continue to discriminate against and disproportionately impact people of color and indigenous communities. I think it is rather important for this body to know, particularly tonight, because I know there will be some who will ask: Why are they doing this Special Order on this topic? Why are they bringing attention to the need for reform? Well, whether it is in your local community, in your State, or federally, we have an obligation to make sure that people are treated fairly and equally under the law, and where our laws or our practices fail to meet that standard, we have an obligation to change it. For the United Nations to call into question the United States' failure in these areas I think speaks to the fact that this is not just a local issue, but it is also an international one. So I hope that my colleagues understand that that is, in part, why we are bringing attention to it.…”