we need a national uniform certification program

the program has stood up in court over and over again

there needs to be more aggressive and consistent compliance monitoring of the DBE program

Our Nation suffers when those who are talented, who have new ideas, and who want to work hard are denied the opportunity to compete because of their ethnic background, race, or gender.

I know firsthand the significance of the many programs and various matters that fall within your jurisdiction.

I want to discuss with you today one of those various matters that is of great importance and concern not only to me personally, but I believe to our Nation as a whole.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your kindness.

I want to say a word about the constitutional soundness of the DOT DBE programs.

We will never stop talking about race.

I am very honored and pleased to appear before you today.

If it stays the way it is, then it's all a little bit more challenging for us.

Sure, part of this compromise does violence. But I don't -- what's wrong with funding Head Start? And, so, what's wrong with funding higher education?

I rise in strong support as an original cosponsor of H. Res. 34, which recognizes Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Hamas terrorists in Gaza and reaffirms the United States' strong support for Israel. Since Israel…

67 percent of the republican Congress decided to put political ideology ahead of the best interests of our great nation.

67 percent of the Republican Congress decided to put political ideology ahead for the best interests of our great nation.

What campaign memos? I mean, what's that about? That was very bizarre to me.

I have had people that said to me, how could you, as a proud African-American, you cannot speak out, when you can see the race card is being played against African-Americans?

When he was going through his impeachment problems, it was the black community that bellied up to the bar.

We cannot tamp down that enthusiasm, or we will not be successful in November.

I think black folks feel strongly that it is a strange way for President Clinton to show his appreciation.

As they would say in Gullah Geechee country, he needs to chill a little bit.

As they would say in Gullah Geechee country, he needs to chill a little by.

I think that Democrats in South Carolina want to be with a winner. They want to really be able to say we did launch this campaign.

Hillary has an opportunity to be the first woman president. And that plays well with black women as well. Obama, an opportunity to be the first African-American president, and that plays with black people, male and female.

For the first time in a long time, this Congress is going to break its silence, and we will no longer be a rubber stamp for this administration on Iraq.