[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 181 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H9527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 I RISE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Al Green) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise because I love my country. 
I rise because I care about people. And because I love my country and 
care about people, I rise on behalf of those living and deceased who 
have suffered grave injustices associated with hate.
  I rise on behalf of those who have suffered the injustices associated 
with sexism, racism, nativism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia.
  I rise on behalf of the slave mother who had her baby torn away from 
her at the auction block. I rise on behalf of the mother at the border 
of the United States of America who had her baby taken from her as her 
baby cried to be in her mother's arms.
  I rise on behalf of the many who have been persecuted for religious 
beliefs, those who have suffered religious persecution.
  I rise on behalf of the women who have been denied opportunities 
because of their gender. I rise on behalf of the LGBTQ persons who have 
suffered simply because of being who they are.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise and I stand in the well of the Congress of the 
United States of America against bigotry and hatred. I rise and stand 
against the bigotry emanating from the Presidency, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. Speaker, I refuse to allow it to be reduced to his being a jerk. 
I refuse to allow it to be reduced to something simply political. Mr. 
Speaker, bigotry in our country has hurt too many for too long.
  Mr. Speaker, I let others do what they may. I am not angry with 
anyone, Mr. Speaker. Let them do what they may. But it is in my DNA to 
oppose this bigotry, and I rise and I stand against it.
  I will not let the Record show that when I was elected to Congress, I 
did not do something about the circumstance that is changing the 
culture in this country: persons running for office claiming that they 
somehow can say that it is okay to go to a hanging; persons running for 
office talking about monkey business, knowing how that relates to those 
of African ancestry.
  Mr. Speaker, I refuse to accept it. I rise to take a stand for the 
many who have suffered from bigotry and hatred emanating from the 
Presidency.
  I rise.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from 
engaging in personalities toward the President.

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