Jonathan L. Jackson

Mr. Speaker, Greeting · 15 wordsI am grateful for the time, and I thank my colleagues for their presence today.Greeting Positioning · 129 wordsAt this time, Mr. Speaker, I rise at this moment and in this Chamber to give a voice to the tens of millions of Americans who do not believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion is an offense to the spirit of America. Nor are they under the impression that intentionally including the talent and abilities of qualified Americans who have been historically and systematically locked out of the promises of America is anything other than the right thing to do. In fact, there are millions of Americans who understand that it is impossible to remunerate 300 years of oppression with only 62 years of inclusion.Unearned certainty However, that is why we are here, and that is why we find ourselves here today, making sure that this voice is given airtime.Positioning Reasoning · 158 wordsRegrettably, Mr. Speaker, it is also where we begin because we will let the word go forth from this time and in this place: If the Government of the United States had simply honored the 14th and 15th Amendments ratified in 1868 and in 1870 respectively, there would be no need for diversity, equity, ¹and inclusion today because we would have fulfilled our promise and our obligation. There would be no need for affirmative action had we simply gone forward and honored the 14th and 15th Amendments. There would be no need for civil rights legislation had we honored the 14th and 15th Amendments. To state the matter with even greater clarity, if the government of this country had honored its own laws, then this country would have never needed a civil rights movement. That is because we would have fulfilled that obligation in our 14th and 15th Amendments. Unfortunately, it was not honored, Hidden agencyand here we are. Promise · 16 wordsWe will continue this fight to make sure that America fulfills its promise and its destiny.Vague promise Mr. Speaker, Greeting · 25 wordsI am honored to be joined by my colleague and good friend, the Honorable Congressman Cleo Fields, who hails from the great State of Louisiana.³Greeting Thanks · 53 wordsCongressman Cleo Fields is the co-chair and founder of the DEI Caucus.² Congressman Fields has led an incredible career in public service my entire adult life, over the last 35 years and counting.⁴ All the while, he was championing voting rights issues on behalf of his constituents in the face of relentless opposition.Thanks Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 13 wordsI yield to the gentleman from the great State of Louisiana (Mr. Fields).Procedure