Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentlewoman from Ohio for laying out both the history of the Congressional Black Caucus as well as documenting what current membership continues to do and breaks new ground here in the House of Representatives on behalf of the people that they are charged to represent in this august body, as well as on behalf of the great Nation that we are all privileged to serve. As Representative Beatty mentioned, there were 13 individuals who had the vision and the foresight to found the Congressional Black Caucus back in March of 1971. The actual founding took place at a meeting between those 13 Members and President Richard Nixon, where the President was presented, by the newly formed Congressional Black Caucus, a statement of requests, goals, objectives, and demands related to the plight of African Americans here in these United States of America. The Congressional Black Caucus was founded on the premise that it was necessary to speak truth to power, given the unique plight of African Americans in this country. As was mentioned by Representative Beatty, there are two founding members who still serve in the House of Representatives; Representative John Conyers from Detroit, Michigan, and, of course, Charlie Rangel, the Lion of Lenox Avenue, the first African American ever to chair the Ways and Means Committee in this institution, a prolific legislator here in the House who has announced earlier this year his intention to retire.…”