I know Reverend Jesse Jackson is controversial, and not a popular figure with many, but he hired me in 1984. He gave me my first job in politics.

I want to just say something very, very personal. As you know, Louisiana has undergone a lot of flooding over the last couple of weeks August 2016. And I just want to thank the American people for their generosity and supporting so many victims of that terrible flooding.

Trent Lott saved my family. I needed three things from him personally, and he came through for me. He made sure that the ice that we desperately needed was delivered. He got us ice, insulin and water. The food came as well. He put politics aside and made sure my family was ok. I will always thank him for that.

I think they [Hillary and Bill Clinton] have been - they have shown over and over again that they're willing to be transparent and that they have gone beyond the letter of the law, to show that they're trying to make sure there are bright red, green, purple lines that will separate them from any type of conflict.

I inspired a new generation in the same way the previous generation inspired me. I believe that our democracy itself is very inspiring.

Barbara Jordan is one [of the political heroes]. Her 1976 speech in New York inspired me to get into politics.

Dr. [Martin Luther] King led a very historic march here in Washington, D.C. It was a march for jobs and freedom. It was a march to raise expectations that this country could live up to its ideals. I have watched this debate, this conversation [betwin Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump] about bigotry, about racism, I find it all misplaced.