Hoyer Remarks on "Bloody Sunday" Anniversary Pilgrimage

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke on the House Floor this afternoon about his visit to Alabama earlier this month to mark the anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" with the Faith & Politics Institute and the speeches given by President Obama and Peggy Wallace Kennedy during the pilgrimage. Below is a transcript of his remarks and a link to the video.

Click here to watch the video. 

“Mr. Speaker, I was proud to join many Members of this House in Birmingham, Selma, and Montgomery, Alabama, from March 6th to 8th to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of ‘Bloody Sunday,’  which led inexorably to the signing of the Voting Rights Act in August of that same year in 1965.

“It was my tenth visit to Selma to mark the anniversary of ‘Bloody Sunday,’ and each one is more powerful than the last. The visit was organized by the Faith and Politics Institute and was led by Representative John Lewis, our colleague. Such a giant in our history and in this body.

“While there, Members heard powerful and moving remarks from President Obama, who made history as the first African American to hold the highest office in our land. 

“We also heard, Mr. Speaker, from the late Governor Wallace’s daughter, Peggy Wallace Kennedy, who spoke eloquently and movingly about living in the shadow of her father’s actions fifty years ago. 

“Governor Wallace later recanted his support for segregation and asked forgiveness from the African American community, and his daughter has worked hard to build bridges and promote dialogue and understanding. 

“Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to enter the remarks of the President and those of Peggy Wallace Kennedy into the Congressional Record so that all Members can read them and be as inspired and uplifted as I was in hearing them delivered.”

Click here to read the President's speech.

Click here to read Peggy Wallace Kennedy's speech.