[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 16, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     MIGHT CANNOT MAKE WRONG RIGHT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Al Green) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is always an honor to stand in 
the well of the House. I consider this an extraordinary privilege.
  Mr. Speaker, there are seminal moments in time, moments in time that 
can impact the rest of time; seminal moments, sometimes where wrong is 
placed on the throne, where might is used to justify wrong; seminal 
moments in time, but, Mr. Speaker, might cannot make wrong right.
  Might cannot make wrong right; it can only prolong wrong.
  Seminal moments in time, where might is used to justify wrong.
  Might did not make slavery right. There were those who used false 
religiosity to try to justify slavery. They had the might, they had the 
power, they could impose their will, but might will not make wrong 
right.
  Might did not make segregation right, to force people to go to 
separate areas, to use a level of power to impose an indecency upon a 
people. Might can never make wrong right.
  Mr. Speaker, might has not made invidious discrimination right. It 
still exists today. No matter how much power we have, we will not make 
it right simply because we have the power to try to justify it with the 
might that we have.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, might will not make bigotry emanating from the 
Presidency right. It will not.
  There are many who want to just let it go, let it go, the bigotry, 
put it behind us.
  Bigotry emanating from the Presidency impacts this country. It gives 
this country a stained image in the world.
  The President represents this country. He represents every one of us. 
We may differ with him, but he is the standard-bearer. The bigotry that 
emanates from the Presidency is something that we all have to concern 
ourselves with. We can't just say it is all over with, let's let that 
go.
  Yes, it has happened and it continues to happen, and might will not 
make it right.
  He has power, but his power is not going to cause his invidious and 
harmful commentaries to become right.
  I am here today to simply say this, Mr. Speaker, that while the 
President has the power, impeachment is the remedy.
  A President who has said that there were some good people among those 
in Charlottesville; a President who would ban Muslims from the country; 
a President who has said LGBTQ persons shouldn't be in the military; a 
President who has called the sons of some professional athletes--called 
their mother's dogs, SOBs; a President who has said that in----
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Kustoff of Tennessee). The gentleman 
will suspend.
  For what purpose does the gentleman from Pennsylvania seek 
recognition?
  Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this type of language is not 
allowed in the people's House, directing it towards the Presidency.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this type of language has been 
accepted on the floor of this House. People address language to the 
Presidency----
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. All Members will suspend.
  Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward 
the President.
  The gentleman may continue.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Presidency is about the 
people. It is about the people's House. And the people have a right to 
address this invidious discrimination emanating from the Presidency. I 
am not going to stand for it. Others may stand for it.
  You know that there is bigotry emanating from the Presidency, yet you 
would not want me to stand here and address it. I will address it.
  This President has exhibited a kind of bigotry that this country 
ought not tolerate.
  When he said that there were some s---hole countries as he was 
addressing his immigration policy, he was putting his bigotry into 
policy. And that is something we all should concern ourselves with, the 
fact that the President's policies are based upon his bigotry.
  Impeachment is the remedy.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from 
engaging in personalities toward the President.

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