Political Quotes

“And still I rise, a proud, liberated Democrat in the spirit of Shirley Chisholm, unbought, unbossed, and unafraid--unafraid to say that the Senate of the United States of America cares more about what they wear to work than the building they work in. There was a recent kerfuffle about the dress code in the Senate. As a result, some 40 Senators--in fact, about 46--signed a letter addressing this newly installed dress code. I won't read it in its entirety because time doesn't permit, but here is what it says in one paragraph: ``Allowing casual clothing on the Senate floor disrespects the institution we serve and the American families we represent.'' No disrespect, Senators, but I believe allowing Richard Russell's name to stay on the Russell Senate Office Building disrespects the people you serve and disrespects this country. The Richard Russell Senate Office Building is a symbol of racism. It is a symbol of disrespect for the American people, and it certainly disrespects people of African ancestry because Richard Russell was a racist and a bigot. Richard Russell was the coauthor of the ``Southern Manifesto.'' Richard Russell fought antilynching legislation. Richard Russell's name should not be on a building paid for with taxpayer dollars. It is time for you to take the same amount of time that you took to reform your dress code and reform the name that is on the Richard Russell Senate Office Building. It is easy to do.…”