Political Quotes

“Still I rise to commemorate August 20 as Slavery Remembrance Day because, as I have indicated many times on this floor and done so today, it is the date that the White Lion, a ship with 20 persons of African ancestry, docked at a place called Point Comfort near where we now call Norfolk, Virginia. It was a moment in time that has an impact on the rest of time in this country because for 246 years more than 10 million persons of African ancestry were brought to this country to sacrifice. They sacrificed such that this very building was a product of their hands. They sacrificed to build roads and bridges. They were the persons who sacrificed to plant the crops and harvest and feed the Nation. For 246 years, they sacrificed. Yet, to this day, they have not been properly acknowledged for the sacrifice that they suffered. They have not been acknowledged. We have acknowledged others. We have acknowledged the Confederate soldiers who fought to maintain slavery. We did so in 1956. We have acknowledged others. I think it is time to acknowledge them because, truth be told, they were the economic foundational mothers and fathers of the country. This country's economic success was built on 246 years of sacrifice made by persons who were enslaved in our great country. Why not honor them for their sacrifice? Why not allow them to have, at last, the honor that they have earned by virtue of their sacrifice? This is what we will attempt to do on August 20.…”