Political Quotes

“I want to thank my colleague from Wisconsin for supporting House Resolution 901. I can tell you that you have heard the history of Ruby Bridges, but in my own Fourth Congressional District of Wisconsin, last spring another teacher, a first-grade teacher, started a class project to teach her 6-year-old students the historic impact of Ruby Bridges during last February's Black History Month. The students, recognizing the bravery of another child their age, thought Ruby Bridges should have her own special day of recognition. So what started as a very modest class project sort of built this groundswell where 2,200 signatures were collected throughout the Fourth Congressional District of Wisconsin, and indeed throughout the State. The project gained letters of commendation from Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and from then-State Superintendent of Education Elizabeth Burmaster. They sent the full list to President Barack Obama and other elected officials in support of a Ruby Bridges Day. It is so truly remarkable that a first-grade class in my district not only learned the historic lessons of 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, but also learned how extraordinary it is to have a voice in this great country of ours through the power of the pen. In fact, the initiative of these small children brings me to the floor of the House of Representatives today seeking support for H. Res. 901.”