On the recordFebruary 13, 2001
In 1901, the last black to leave Congress as a result of the Jim Crow laws was George Henry White from North Carolina, who stood up on this floor and declared, ``you have excluded us. You have taken away the right to vote, and so I am the last one to leave.'' This, Mr. Speaker, is perhaps the Negro's temporary farewell to the American Congress. But let me say, Phoenix-like, he will rise up some day and come again. These parting words are on behalf of an outraged heart-broken, bruised and bleeding, but God-fearing people, fateful, industrious, loyal people, rising people, full of potential force. The Congressional Black Caucus, 37 strong, are the Phoenix that have risen up, just as George Henry White said back in 1901.
Source
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