Political Quotes

“it is difficult to say everything in my heart about Ron Dellums. However, I must follow up on my colleague from Missouri concerning a speech that Mr. Dellums gave concerning apartheid in South Africa. It has been my custom when I do not know how I am going to vote on a subject, I come to the floor, not in front of the television set, but come to the floor to see how Members really conduct themselves. I am one of the oldest Members in the House of Representatives, I believe, so I can say from experience, I have heard a lot of speeches in my lifetime, both before World War II, after World War II. I have never heard a speech like that in my life. I was in doubt, and it was not just the words that he spoke. It was how he conducted himself and the feeling that just permeated, permeated this House of Representatives. I know how proud he must be to return to South Africa and see the peaceful transformation of government, and I can tell my colleagues that there were a lot of people involved, but I can tell my colleagues this, that he is the one that is most responsible. I have known Ron now for 16 years, and without question, he is the fairest chairman I have ever served under.”