On the recordMay 9, 2012
Let me just make a couple of comments. I think that we've seen why this is not the process for these types of riders on a bill. In States that are not covered by section 5, there have been outrageous circumstances as it relates particularly to African Americans and access to the franchise. In Philadelphia, Octavius Catto was beaten to death just a few blocks from my childhood home when he tried to exercise his right to vote. But our country has come a long way. We've made a lot of progress. But section 5 is there for a reason. In these States in the South, Nazi prisoners of war were treated better than African Americans who had served in the war. For the party of Lincoln to be on the floor of the House today on this issue, when there were really Republicans that had joined in in the passage of the Voting Rights Act, where Members of my party refused to be willing to grant these rights to African Americans and to others, I think, is unfortunate. But I think we may be at a point where we can move forward. To my friend from Georgia, who we are going to be in worship together tomorrow morning at 8 a.m., I yield to you.
