Barbara Jordan Quotes

If we promise as public officials, we must deliver. If we as public officials propose, we must produce.

I never intended to become a run-of-the-mill person.

I have confidence that we can form this kind of national community.

I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, I have finally been included in 'We, the people.'

Even as I stand here and admit that we have made mistakes I still believe that as the people of America sit in judgment on each party, they will recognize that our mistakes were mistakes of the heart. They'll recognize that.

We have a positive vision of the future founded on the belief that the gap between the promise and reality of America can one day be finally closed. We believe that.

There is no obstacle in the path of young people who are poor or members of minority groups that hard work and preparation cannot cure.

The imperative is to define what is right and do it.

Let each person do his or her part. If one citizen is unwilling to participate, all of us are going to suffer. For the American idea, though it is shared by all of us, is realized in each one of us.

I think it no accident that most of those emigrating to America in the 19th century identified with the Democratic Party. We are a heterogeneous party made up of Americans of diverse backgrounds.

A government is invigorated when each of us is willing to participate in shaping the future of this nation.

We must exchange the philosophy of excuse - what I am is beyond my control for the philosophy of responsibility.

One thing is clear to me: We, as human beings, must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves.

More is required of public officials than slogans and handshakes and press releases. More is required. We must hold ourselves strictly accountable. We must provide the people with a vision of the future.

It is reason, and not passion, which must guide our deliberations, guide our debate, and guide our decision.

In other times, I could stand here and give this kind of exposition on the beliefs of the Democratic Party and that would be enough. But today that is not enough. People want more.

I believe that women have a capacity for understanding and compassion which man structurally does not have, does not have it because he cannot have it. He's just incapable of it.

But this is the great danger America faces. That we will cease to be one nation and become instead a collection of interest groups: city against suburb, region against region, individual against individual. Each seeking to satisfy private wants.

For all of its uncertainty, we cannot flee the future.

Education remains the key to both economic and political empowerment.

Do not call for black power or green power. Call for brain power.

A nation is formed by the willingness of each of us to share in the responsibility for upholding the common good.

We call ourselves public servants but I'll tell you this: we as public servants must set an example for the rest of the nation. It is hypocritical for the public official to admonish and exhort the people to uphold the common good.

What the people want is very simple - they want an America as good as its promise.

Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap.