Political Quotes

“Let it be very clear, Emanuel Cleaver is not retiring from the United States Congress, but we are here to thank him for his service to the Congressional Black Caucus as chair, but really to the Nation. Let me thank my colleagues for gathering this morning to raise a voice of crescendo in thanks and appreciation for this man called Emanuel Cleaver. His progeny and his ancestors are grateful for the mark that he has made on behalf of America. Chairman Cleaver speaks eloquently about his origins of hailing from Texas and his many relatives who remain there, even those who are in the surrounding areas of the 18th Congressional District. He's a proud graduate of Prairie View A&M University in Texas, in the surrounding area of Houston, Prairie View, Texas. He has a great heritage and connectedness to the Black Power movement, and he is a good combination of peace, gentleness, firmness, leadership, and courage. And I might say that he was a man for these times, just as the Bible dictated that Esther was a woman for her time, was there for a time such as that. Our chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus found his role in a number of challenges that we faced. And if I might paraphrase a Biblical story, hopefully I have it nearly right, but I call this chairman a modern day Joseph who is able to wear the multicolored coat, representing constituencies from all backgrounds and going to represent his people in a foreign land.…”