Political Quotes

“I appreciate the gentlewoman's courtesy in permitting me to speak on this and for organizing what I think is one of the most important discussions that this Congress needs to have. Housing is fundamental. It has been the major source of wealth generation for millions of middle-class Americans and an even greater source of wealth accumulation for upper income Americans. But, sadly, it has been a source of discrimination and widening income inequality because of decades of systematic discrimination by the Federal Government against people of color, especially African Americans. I am embarrassed that in my community, returning World War II veterans were denied opportunities to live in neighborhoods where they could actually afford the loans. The redlining practices denied them an opportunity to be able to secure government-financed lending. We had practices in the real estate industry that actively steered people away from certain neighborhoods. We had areas where people resisted allowing people of color to move in. The Federal Government did not enforce constitutional antidiscrimination provisions. Madam Speaker, the consequences of decades of neglect, discrimination, and underinvestment is visible today in most major American cities. It is obvious in my community, where we are seeing a homeless population that is persistent and growing.…”