Transcript of Bill Richardson's speechThe following is a speech by the Honorable Bill Richardson before the Democratic National Convention, Wednesday, July 28, 2004:
As chairman of this convention, as a proud New Mexico Democrat, I thank you for the great honor you have given me as the first Hispanic chair of a party convention. Y es un honor representar nuestra comunidad en esta convencion -- una comunidad orgullosa, optimista, y patriota que crece mas y mas cada dia en todos los cincuenta estados. Pero con ese crecimiento enorme, vienen mas responsibilades: hay que registrarse, hay que organizarse, hay que votar, hay que ganar. Nuestro voto es nuestra voz. From my experience as a congressman, UN ambassador, and a cabinet secretary, I have come to one unshakable conclusion about our nation's foreign policy and national security -- whether you are a Democrat or Republican, at the end of the day, our nation is strongest and better served when our president is respected and admired in the world. Franklin Roosevelt's courage and perseverance turned the tide against fascism, John Kennedy's energy and vision lifted America to new heights as a beacon for all that was good and possible in the world, and Bill Clinton's hope and certainty led our nation and the world to an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity. Their leadership kept America strong and respected in the world, in the eyes of friend and foe alike. Their leadership made our nation a force for moving the human condition forward -- for peace, for optimism, for opportunity. It's time for that kind of leadership again. It's time for a president who believes deeply that from those who much is given, much is expected. It's time for John Kerry. As a young man, John Kerry enlisted in the Navy and volunteered for the front-lines. And ever since then, he has served his nation -- standing up for America's security, defending our values, and never faltering in his resolve to keep America safe, secure, and strong. It's time for John Kerry. My fellow Americans, I don't need to tell you that the world is a dangerous place. We are reminded of that in our every day lives -- and we have seen it on the streets and in the subways and airports outside this convention. Al Qaeda is the heir to enemies we have defeated before -- today's equivalent of Nazis and fascists who hate the values at the core of the American way of life: democracy and pluralism, diversity and tolerance, innovation and achievement, strength and freedom. And the fate of Al Qaeda will be the same as those other tyrants and thugs-we will defeat them. We need a president to lead that fight. It's time for John Kerry. Continued... |
