Transcript of Elijah Cummings's speech
The following is a transcript of a speech by the Honorable Elijah Cummings before the Democratic National Convention, Wednesday, July 28, 2004:
Good evening, I am Elijah Cummings, the son of Robert and Ruth Cummings, who began their lives as sharecroppers on the same land where their fore parents once worked as slaves. They never lost their faith: in God, in themselves, nor in the vision that some day America would tear down the walls of injustice and embrace them as full citizens.
In search of a better life for their family, my parents moved from South Carolina to a small house in South Baltimore in 1944. They worked hard every day. They taught their seven children the American vision of "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
They joined a labor union to obtain fair wages, health insurance, and the overtime pay that would allow them to buy their own home. They made certain that their children attended school every day-and lived to see all of us succeed. My parents lived the American dream-the same dream that we, as Democrats, have always worked to make possible for all Americans.
Tonight, I am honored to stand before you as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus-39 courageous women and men whom many call the "conscience of the Congress." Collectively, we represent over 26 million Americans of every background, faith, tradition, and race. These Americans-many of whom have made the same journey as my parents-have sent me to Boston with this message: We are living in difficult and dangerous times. But difficulty and danger are nothing new to Americans.
We are a people of courage and faith. For God has given us the spirit, not of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. In this spirit of courage, reason, compassion, and strength, we are doing everything in our power to protect our nation: We are supporting our troops, and those who protect us here at home. And we are committed to restoring America's standing in the world.
As Americans, though, we will not live in a spirit of fear. We will not be frightened into giving up our freedom-nor our civil liberties. We will not be afraid to exercise our voting rights. We will not be intimidated in our determination to ensure the integrity of our voting system.
Finally, we will not be turned back on history's road toward universal civil rights. Ladies and gentlemen-terrorists are not the only threat that we face. For tens of millions of Americans, the most imminent threat to their lives is our failure to provide quality health care for all.
And the greatest long-term threat to our nation is our failure to educate all of our children. America can and will overcome all of these challenges-if we are strong and unified. The foundation of our strength depends on creating good jobs and economic opportunity for all. And our national unity demands tax reforms that truly reflect "shared sacrifice."
Our nation deserves more than political slogans and sound bites. We must continue to fight for those issues that touch the "center of people's lives." That is the centered, firm and fearless leadership that President John Kerry, Vice President John Edwards and a Democratic Congress will provide.
This is the most important election of our lives. And this is our pledge to America tonight: We will synchronize our nation's conduct with her conscience. We will elect John Kerry president. And we will build a bridge to an America that is strong, free, and unified. SOURCE Democratic Nationa 