Charles Rangel: “the modesty of the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus amazes even me, because destiny would have it that this is…”

“the modesty of the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus amazes even me, because destiny would have it that this is the last day of African History Month and he is the chairman of the historic Congressional Black Caucus. So that shatters protocol, and I thank him for his friendship, his support and the leadership that he has given to all Americans through the Congressional Black Caucus. Today probably will be one of the closest days to bipartisanship that this august body has seen in a long, long time. And, of course, Chairman Ney is right: what a historic day that was when we went and saw how many tens of thousands of Americans were prepared to give up their lives, knowing the dangers of the Normandy beachhead. We were there with Sam Gibbons and the leadership, and it did make all of us so proud to be Americans that day. We were not Republicans, Democrats or liberals; we were just so proud that we had this great Nation that had gone so far in providing her leadership for those who survived and for those who continue to serve. We have 300 cosponsors of this bill in this body, and I am thoroughly convinced, Mr. Speaker, that the only reason we do not have the rest is that somebody on staff did not handle this right. Because there has been no one that has not felt proud to be able to say three things: thank you, thank you, thank you.…”