Political Quotes

“I thank the distinguished gentleman from Maryland for his very thoughtful remarks and observations, and for pointing out that if we can find a way to make sure that, collectively, the African American community is uplifted, the Latino community is uplifted, that we can close the racial wealth gap that exists in America across these different measurements, whether that is home ownership or access to good-paying jobs or retirement security, savings accounts, whatever the case may be, that if we can close this gap that exists, that America, overall, benefits, particularly as we become a more diverse country. Now, 50 years ago our President, Lyndon Baines Johnson, came to this very floor and, before a joint session of Congress, declared a war on poverty. As a result of this legislative effort, there were several things that were put into place that have benefited Americans over time. Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, the school breakfast program, the Food Stamp Act, Job Corps, minimum wage enhancement, college work study--all of these programs were part of the effort to create a great society. Over the last 50 years, as a result of the war on poverty, significant progress has been made. Tens of millions of Americans have been lifted out of an impoverished condition and set on a pathway toward the middle class. But we know that there is still a long way to go.…”