Speech
Speech
March 21, 2012
“Thank you Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, I appreciate his leadership on helping us honor what our founders put forth, in our founding documents, which is life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and that is exactly what the Affordable Care Act helps to guarantee. A healthier life, the liberty to pursue happiness free of the constraints that lack of health care might provide to families. If you want to be a photographer, a writer, an artist, a musician, you can do so. If you want to start a business, if you want to change jobs, under the Affordable Care Act, you have that ability - that liberty to pursue your happiness. And so, that is why I'm so pleased that this week we can celebrate the two year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act."
Speech
March 21, 2012
“Good evening everyone. Welcome to the celebration of not only the longest serving woman in the history of the United States Congress, but the great leadership of Senator Barbara Mikulski. It's not just about the length of time, it's about the quality of service and leadership, it's about the personality that she is, it's about the history that she has made, it's about the progress she is making for the American people. Aren't we all honored to be with her this evening?"
Speech
March 13, 2012
“With pride and gratitude, I accept this generous appointment as an Honorary Patron of the University Philosophical Society of Trinity College, Dublin. What a privilege it is to be counted in the ranks of so many extraordinary recipients for so many years and from so many walks of life."
Speech
March 6, 2012
“I had the privilege of traveling with Donald Payne, when we were going to Darfur, and he didn't want to go to the Sudan--he'd been there many times, to Darfur. But he was, at that moment, boycotting the regime in Khartoum because of how they treated the people there. While we were in Khartoum and in Darfur, he was in Ethiopia and Somalia and the rest, always working. Always working to have policy advise to all of us and caring about what the impact of that policy was on people."
Speech
March 5, 2012
“Tonight, it is a true honor to be here with the leader of the Jewish state of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. I will never forget the great honor of visiting the Prime Minister in his Jerusalem office last May, where he took great pride in showing us an ancient seal-an artifact dating back 2,700 years, found in recent excavations right next to the Western Wall. It was inscribed with the name ‘Netanyahu' in Hebrew-a direct connection to the history of the Jewish people."
Speech
March 1, 2012
“I rise in support of the legislation and commend Congresswoman Sewell and Congresswoman Roby for their leadership in bringing this to the floor and giving us the opportunity to speak about the heroes amongst us."
Speech
February 28, 2012
“Less than two years ago, we unveiled a plaque in the Capitol to honor the masons, carpenters, painters, and others, who with their skill, and their talent, gave our country-and indeed, the world-this beacon of hope."
Speech
February 28, 2012
“Today, our investments in renewable and alternative sources of energy pay off for the American people-translating into good-paying jobs for our workers. Seventy-five thousand jobs, at least, in wind power. One hundred thousand jobs in solar power. To build on this progress for our economy, we must renew energy tax credits so that clean energy jobs stay competitive and renewable energy is made in America. I tell you that because I feel very proud of, but a sense of responsibility to it, and seeing the opportunity exist as we go forward. And to enlist your help to make this as bipartisan a mission too, as possible."
Speech
February 17, 2012
“So, lets take a moment to say, that we recognize here, on this floor of the House, that we recognize the importance of a thriving middle class to our democracy. And that this action taken today is an important step, but we have much more work to do. Democrats are committed to reigniting the American dream, to building ladders of opportunity for all who want to work hard, play by the rules, take responsibility--but we have work to do. In this reigniting the American dream, it's about recognizing the role of entrepreneurialism in our system, of small businesses, and what they do to grow our economy, and how we have a public-private relationship there, to encourage small business. And, also, again, all of this relates to a thriving middle class."
Speech
February 16, 2012
“In recommending that the President veto this legislation, the Administration has said: ‘it would make America's roads, rails, and transit systems less safe, reduce the transportation options available to America's traveling public, short circuit local decision-making, and turn back the clock on environmental and labor protections."