Political Quotes

“I appreciate that the Members understand the vulnerability we feel here in the national capital. The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) is in this region as well. And, of course, there is almost no attention being paid to vulnerability at home. I am on the Select Committee on Homeland Security, and I can tell you that those issues have been moved off the screen by what is happening in Iraq, by this $87 billion request. I want to thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) for coming forward this evening to continue this dialogue in the way he is continuing it among the members of the Congressional Black Caucus. I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek of Florida) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas) for the repartee and colloquy that they have. I see I have two of my good friends and sisters who need also to be able to speak before our time is up, so I will try and have consideration and bear that in mind as I speak briefly. I want to congratulate my colleagues. I heard some of their colloquy on the troops. I am tired of talking about the war. I want to talk about the people who are being forced to make this war. Yes, they are volunteers, but none of them, none of them expected and indeed none of them were promised what has happened to them now. We of the Congressional Black Caucus are concerned. A third of the U.S. Army is African American.”