Saturday, January 7, 2023

     Last night, when it was past midnight in Washington D.C., I was privileged to see and hear one of the great American speeches. Most people did not watch since it came so late in the night.
     I remember well reading some of the most important lectures of American history such as the Gettysburg address, FDR’s first inaugural address, Lincoln’s second inaugural address, George Washington’s resignation speech, Churchill’s “Blood, Sweat and Tears” oration, Patrick Henry’s “give me liberty or give me death” talk and FDR’s Pearl Harbor address to the nation. It was certainly the practice, when I was an elementary school student in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s to read those speeches, and others, for both their historic import and for the beauty of their prose. In years to come, we would all thrill at John Kennedy’s inspirational inaugural speech, Martin Luther King’s stirring “I have a dream” discourse and Ronald Reagan’s heartfelt address to the nation after the Challenger disaster.
     I have never paid much attention to the passing of the gavel ceremony in the House of Representatives but, for reasons I can’t explain, I was glued to watching the 15th vote for Speaker, when Kevin McCarthy finally won. As a Californian, I have watched McCarthy over the years and can not harbor any optimism about his ability to be a leader. I, along with millions of others, hope he will do well but, thus far, have only seen a spineless, not-too-bright politician at work. What a contrast to Nancy Pelosi!
     I don’t know if it is the custom for the prior majority party leader to give a speech or not. But I am so glad I did stay up and did watch Hakeem Jeffries, the congressman representing the 8th Congressional district of New York, and the successor to Pelosi as leader of the House Democrats, speak to the House and to the American people.
     I don’t know if Jeffries’ presentation will prove to be historic, only time will tell. It is, at least in part, a partisan speech, proclaiming the accomplishments of the first two Biden years. But it is a beautifully crafted speech with distinct rhythms and carefully chosen syntax and, in my eyes as an amateur student of great speeches, it is, I believe, worth ten to fifteen minutes of your time.
           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AxDQK6yGBI