Political Quotes

“I strongly support H.R. 396. I support this bill which names a Federal facility for a man who loved his country, even when he was one of its greatest critics. Ron Dellums had range in this body, from his deep leadership on international affairs to his involvement in the most local of issues, the District of Columbia. He was ranking member of the Committee on National Security, and he chaired the D.C. Committee. When I say, 'range,' I mean range. On the great issues of the day, eliminating poverty, protecting civil rights, making sure that all Americans had civil liberties, Ron Dellums' name is indelibly left with this body. Ron may be remembered perhaps most of all for South Africa's sanctions. He fought for sanctions against South Africa when it was all but a lost cause, until finally they developed a national and an international consensus that in fact led to the elimination, the beginning of the end, of South African apartheid. Mr. Speaker, I say without fear of contradiction that there was no more popular man in this body even when his views, as they often were, were unpopular in this body.”