We Are All Americans

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the President used racist, xenophobic tropes to divide the country and evoke fear and anger.

These words were a deplorable, bigoted act that betrays the principles of our great Nation and demeans the memories of all those who sacrificed so much in our ongoing pursuit of a more perfect Union.

Whether you were born here, arrived as an immigrant, or came as a refugee, every citizen, naturalized or otherwise is an American, every bit as much as our Founders.

Our country is stronger because of our history as a people of diverse backgrounds with diverse experiences.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today, the grandson and great-grandson of immigrants who fled the persecution of Jews in Russia a century ago to build a better life in America for themselves and their future generations. We have seen from history what happens when good people stay silent.

To quote the late Elie Wiesel: ``We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.''

I urge my colleagues: Do not remain silent. Speak out and defend the values we all share as Americans.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source