Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for his very kind words. He is more than generous. I also thank him for his service in Congress. He and I started out together on the Financial Services Committee. He has since moved on to the Intelligence Committee and is doing an outstanding job serving his country as an American Muslim. Mr. Speaker, I indicated that I am the grandson of a Methodist preacher, but I am also a very proud Baptist. My grandfather would not hold it against me. Religion is something that each person has to make decisions about for himself or herself. It is not something that we impose on people. This is a free country, a country wherein you have the right to be whatever you choose to be, within the spirit of what the law allows. This is the case with religion. You can be whatever you choose to be, be associated with whichever religion you choose to, within the spirit of what the law allows. I want to just say a few words about why I have brought this resolution. I have lived in this country all of my life. I love my country. It means something to me. I respect the words ``liberty and justice for all'' in the Pledge of Allegiance. I respect the concept in the Gettysburg Address: ``government of the people, by the people, for the people.'' It means something to me to know that a person who came from what I consider humble beginnings has had the opportunity to stand in the well of the House of Representatives. So, I love my country.…”