Political Quotes

“I want to thank my friend, Mr. Smith, for allowing me to share this time with him. Mr. Speaker, in keeping with the tradition of the First Amendment--a law deeply ingrained in the core of American values--I would like to put into the Congressional Record the poem ``One River, One Boat.'' This poem was written by South Carolina's poet laureate, Marjory Wentworth, in anticipation of reading it at today's gubernatorial inauguration. It illustrates the history of my home State and ponders a look at the path the State seems to be embarking upon going forward. Ms. Wentworth has recited a poem at the last three gubernatorial inaugurations, but she will not be reciting a poem at today's. She was told that her participation would make the program too lengthy. Now, Mr. Speaker, I have attended several inaugurations of South Carolina's Governors. Some were shorter than others. None were allotted a specific amount of time. South Carolinians are proud of their poet laureates, but all have not always agreed with the import of their writings. I believe it is wrong to not include this prolific, artistic expression in this year's ceremony. Recently, individuals across the globe are living in fear of censorship when free speech and expression should be a fundamental right. We have even seen cowardly individuals use their own beliefs to badger, batter, and even murder those whose views and expressions they have found discomforting.…”