[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 41 (Thursday, March 7, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H1003-H1004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           REWRITING HISTORY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, a century ago, the philosopher George 
Santayana wrote that those who cannot remember the past are condemned 
to repeat it.
  Today, in America, we are faced with this very dilemma. We have seen 
attempts by the ultraconservatives to rewrite history and cater to 
those uncomfortable with an evolving world, uncomfortable with our 
country's original sin.
  In these cases, it is no longer a matter of forgetfulness but a 
deliberate effort to ignore the past or alter it to

[[Page H1004]]

suit their own political gain. If we allow this altering to take hold, 
are we not doomed in our pursuit of a more perfect Union?
  It is part of the overall goal of the former President and the MAGA 
movement. This movement rejects the idea that history is complex and, 
in the process, casts aside efforts to reckon with it.
  Former President Trump and his followers prefer to simplify things 
for an audience afraid of a changing world. In so doing, Trump and his 
loyal followers refuse to accept the existence of complexities 
and contradictions in our shared story.

  It is why Donald Trump so staunchly defended Robert E. Lee, not 
because Trump has a grasp on history but because Lee represents a 
vision of the past some would like to reclaim. They would rather paint 
a vision of our story unsullied by racism, suppression of women's 
rights, or violence against indigenous people.
  Even the definition of patriotism has been corrupted. Patriotism 
isn't about ignoring the realities of our wrongs. It is about 
recognizing them and vowing never again, trying to make things better. 
This approach fails to coexist with the MAGA agenda.
  We have seen others claim the ``great replacement theory'' is not a 
white supremacist conspiracy theory but a goal of the Democratic Party.
  Sadly, this battle is also playing out prominently in our educational 
institutions. Governors in red States have implemented civic standards 
that whitewash history rather than providing students with a full 
understanding of our Nation's founding.
  One prominent Governor defended his State's African-American history 
curriculum standards, which claim some enslaved people develop skills 
that ``could be applied for their personal benefit.''
  Our Nation's messy history and our present flaws don't serve the MAGA 
goals and certainly don't empower them.
  They would rather rewrite the past than change the future because if 
they accept the truth, that would be relinquishing power. After all, it 
is power and the desire to retain it that drives this movement. Donald 
Trump lying to his followers about the results of the 2020 election was 
about holding onto power.
  To suggest enslaved people potentially benefit from slavery is about 
power. Even suggesting that it is immigrants who are ``poisoning the 
blood of our Nation'' is about power.
  All of this stokes fear, division, and ultimately violence. It also 
suggests to our allies and adversaries that we cannot be accountable 
for our wrongs.
  We must show that we stand with the truth, not denialism, that we 
don't accept lies about claiming the election was stolen, and that we 
don't accept lies suggesting that Black people benefited from slavery, 
recognizing that these lies have consequences.
  Today, we are witnessing what the wrongful rewrite of history can 
lead to. Vladimir Putin continues to falsely claim Ukraine is part of 
Russia in an attempt to justify his war. We may feel as though 
something like this--the deliberate brainwashing of the public--could 
never happen here. Well, it can, and it is.
  We cannot allow this revisionist history to continue spreading so 
maliciously and effectively, not only for how the world perceives us 
but for our pursuit of a more perfect Union. We must recognize the 
darkest sides of the past and teach our children that recognition is 
not a criticism. It is a lesson.
  If we are to maintain a grip on reality in our history, we must start 
at the local level, especially in our schools. We must ensure our 
children are taught the truth about the past.
  We must keep working to uphold the truth at all costs, regardless of 
how agreeable it is. This is not an affront to our history or our 
values. It is a promise to build a better tomorrow.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would remind Members to refrain 
from engaging in personalities toward presumptive nominees for the 
Office of President.

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