Rep. Al Green Laments Absence of Black Impeachment Witnesses

EXCERPT:

GREEN: "Mr. Speaker, and still I rise with my mnemonic notes in hands. Mr. Speaker, I rise because I love my country but I also rise today with heartfelt regrets. It hurts my heart, Mr. Speaker, to see the Judiciary Committee, hearing experts on the topic of impeachment, one of the seminal issues of this Congress. Hearing experts, Mr. Speaker, and not one person of color among the experts. What subliminal message are we sending to the world when we have experts, but not one person of color? Are we saying that there are no people of color who are experts on this topic of impeachment? What is the message that we’re sending? Mr. Speaker, if I am wrong, I will apologize, but if the committee is wrong, if the Congress is wrong, what will it do? Mr. Speaker, people of color for too long have been ignored by one party and taken for granted by the other. Too often this happens. Not always, but too often it happens. Mr. Speaker, I refuse to be ignored and taken for granted. I came here to represent the people who are ignored and taken for granted. Not one person of color among the constitutional scholars.”