Rep. Richmond: Making Me and Rep. Lewis Testify at the End Like Being Forced to the Back of the Bus

RICHMOND: "Before I jump into my substantive testimony, I want to address two timely issues. First, I want to express my concerns about being made to testify at the very end of the witness panels. To have a senator, a House member, and a living civil rights legend testify at the end of all of this is the equivalent of being made to go to the back of the bus. It is a petty strategy, and the record should reflect my consternation at the unprecedented process that brought us here. My record on equality speaks itself, and I do not mind being last. But to have a living legend like John Lewis handled in such a fashion is beyond the pale, and a message sent by this process is duly noted by me and the 49 members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the 78 million Americans we represent and the over 17 African-Americans that we represent."