In elective politics, it's up or out. You go up the ladder, or you get out of the game.

My entire life has been devoted to breaking down barriers, to finding common ground.

Labels applied to people of any race are inherently offensive.

To stand still is to regress.

I spent many years working for voting rights, but we still see sophisticated efforts, led by white officials, to disenfranchise black voters in local and national elections.

I deplored a system that made it more profitable not to work than to work. I wanted to help change all that.

The member of Congress who forgets his constituents' needs usually serves only one term.