America is the only country in the world that classifies as Negro any person who has one drop of African blood in his or her veins.

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

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

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

Politics is not a tea party. When it is time to act, you have to move fast and decisively.

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.

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