Charles Rangel: “I wish I had a prepared statement, but I was so moved after listening and being a part of this great congressional group…”

“I wish I had a prepared statement, but I was so moved after listening and being a part of this great congressional group in this great country to be able to celebrate 50 years since the Voting Rights Act. As a kid who grew up on the streets of Lenox Avenue and dropped out of high school, I didn't have the benefit of having anything to attach a dream to that would allow me to believe that one day I could be sitting in the United States House of Representatives. But after returning from the war in Korea and after being the beneficiary of the GI bill, and after graduating from law school, I was able to see and hear atrocities that have been committed on Black folks in this country the likes of which I had not seen except during wartime. And even though my mother's family came from Virginia, in the city of New York even today I don't ever remember meeting any White people from the South. I don't know what that is. Perhaps Congressman Butterfield may be able to do some historical research about why they stayed in the South and didn't come to New York City, where racism had a sugar coating to it. They didn't use dogs and bombs and things of that nature. But I recall so vividly seeing people like Andy Young and especially our dear friend and colleague, John Lewis, be prepared to put their lives on the line for our country, not for themselves.…”