Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise to talk about one of America's great institutions, Gallaudet University. On July 4, 1861, President Lincoln celebrated our Nation's independence on the eve of the Civil War by declaring to Congress the principal aim of the U.S. Government should be ``to elevate the condition of men; to lift artificial weights from all shoulders; to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all; to afford an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life.'' Just a few months before that President Lincoln signed into Federal law the authorization to confer collegiate degrees to the deaf and to the hard of hearing at a campus in Washington, DC. For the first time in the Nation's history and still alone to this day Gallaudet University is the only liberal arts university in the world dedicated to the pursuit of higher education for deaf and hard of hearing people. Simply put, Gallaudet is a gem, a gem for this city, a gem for our country, a gem for the world for higher education, truly a national university located a short distance from the Capitol and founded by President Abraham Lincoln. I am one of two appointees--one from the House, one from the Senate-- by statute to the board of trustees at Gallaudet University. During my tenure on the board I have met with proud alumni and supporters of Gallaudet in Ohio and in Washington. Last Friday I was again on campus and met with members of the board, the president's cabinet, and a few students.…”