Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the gentlewoman from California, as always, for reminding us in almost every moment of her tenure here in the…”

“I thank the gentlewoman from California, as always, for reminding us in almost every moment of her tenure here in the United States Congress of the spirit and the investment that Shirley Chisholm made in her personally and the investment that she made as a young college student, saying that I am going to find Shirley Chisholm or accept the call and be in her Presidential election. What a historic moment for her. Also, the very pathway that she has taken in the United States Congress is evidence that she is definitely a living example of the fighting spirit of Shirley Chisholm. It is great to be here to acknowledge this 50th commemoration of this historic moment. I thank our chair, the Honorable Joyce Beatty, for reminding us of Our Power, Our Message. I would like to say our message, our power, and to recognize that the Congressional Black Caucus is the pacesetter for justice and equality and the elimination of racism, which still lifts its head today. To my other colleagues that are here today, I am grateful for their presence on the floor, for Shirley Chisholm deserves the recognition and the acknowledgment of who she was but also what she did and what she invested in America. Let it be known that even as she was an African-American woman, she was a great American that made differences that can be seen today. I want to honor and acknowledge the shoulders upon which I stand.…”