what was the purpose of barbara jordan speech

Not only was Jordan one of the younger members of the Judiciary Committee, she was also one of the few women. This is the question which must be answered. It takes a lot of energy, dedication and bullet-proofing yourself to be: The committee was examining whether Nixon's involvement in the cover-up of the Watergate burglary, including possible obstruction of justice, constituted the kind of "high crimes and misdemeanors" meriting impeachment. It was 144 years ago that members of the Democratic Party first met in convention to select a presidential candidate. Although she acquired a reputation as an effective legislator, Jordan did not become a national figure until 1974 during the Watergate scandal, when her participation in the hearings held by the House Judiciary Committee on the impeachment of U.S. Pres. Jordan decided not to seek a fourth term and retired from Congress in 1979. Indignation so great as to overgrow party interest may secure a conviction; but nothing else can.". Weve been talking about it a while now. We have made mistakes. ", We have heard time and time again that the evidence reflects the payment to defendants money. Since June 2018, Jordan is a regional career education hub for . Logical Action *" Emotional Appeals *" Summary Barbara Jordan's 1976 Democratic National Convention Keynote Address was an amazing speech. "The subjects of its jurisdiction are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men." Get a weekly digest of the weeks most important transcripts in your inbox. The most effective way to secure a freer America with more opportunity for all is through engaging, educating, and empowering our youth. Congress has a lot to do: The Constitution charges the President with the task of taking care that the laws be faithfully executed, and yet the President has counseled his aides to commit, Nixon Tapes: The Smoking Gun Tape, 1972, http://watergate.info/1974/07/25/barbara-jordan-speech-on-impeachment.html, Barbara Jordan, Speech on Impeachment, July 25, 1974, Earlier today, we heard the beginning of the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States, We, the people. It is a very eloquent beginning. Rep. Barbara Jordan (D-Texas) speaks at the House Judiciary Committee hearings on Watergate, We are a people in a quandary about the present. The Constitution doesn't say that. My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total, and I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution. The division between the two branches of the legislature, the House and the Senate, assigning to the one the right to accuse and to the other the right to judge, the framers of this Constitution were very astute. How did that demonstrate its significance? And if the President wants to supply that material, the committee sits here. Moreover, the President has made public announcements and assertions bearing on the Watergate case, which the evidence will show he knew to be false. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. "Protect their rights." In other words, [the jurisdiction comes] from the abuse or violation of some public trust. "Rescue their liberties from violation. Those who "behave amiss or betray the public trust. Barbara Jordan to the House Judiciary Committee (video, audio, and transcript) http://watergate.info/1974/07/25/barbara-jordan-speech-on-impeachment.html, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. I could list the problems which cause people to feel cynical, angry, frustrated. It was a speech she did not initially want to make. Now I began this speech by commenting to you on the uniqueness of a Barbara Jordan making a keynote address. Strike a balance. Indignation so great as to overgrow party interest may secure a conviction; but nothing else can., Impeachment criteria: James Madison, from the Virginia. If we as public officials propose, we must produce. We know that. Explain the importance of Representative Jordan using the Constitution as the means to bring the impeachment charges against President Nixon. We are trying to be big, because the task we have before us is a big one. Mr. Chairman, I join my colleague Mr. Rangel in thanking you for giving the junior members of this committee the glorious opportunity of sharing the pain of this inquiry. ", Statement at the U.S. House Judiciary Committee Impeachment Hearings, Support American RadioWorks with your Amazon.com purchases. 3. Barbara Jordan: (02:32) The stance Jordan takes in the passage is best described as that of A) an idealist setting forth principles. Barbara Jordan: (04:13) If we say to the American people, it is time for you to be sacrificial, sacrifice, if the public official says that, we must be the first to give. What is it about the Democratic Party that makes it the instrument the people use when they search for ways to shape their future? Barbara Jordan: (08:36) The government must remove them, seek to remove them. It limited impeachment to high crimes and misdemeanors and discounted and opposed the term "maladministration." What, if any, Word Gaps did you identify that helped you answer this question?In Marti We're told that that evidence is insufficient. A to explain a problem with the wording of the Constitution, help pleaseArticle Sharetening Total TMIWhat is this Article mainly about?A.In the past, people took plenty of photographs using tra Barbara Jordan: (01:20) We know about the Huston plan. This speech was delivered to the House Judiciary Committee during the Watergate Scandal hearings and came to define the course of the . Barbara Jordan: ( 14:23) A nation is formed by the willingness of each of us to share in the responsibility for upholding the common good. According to Jordan, how did President Nixon subvert the Constitution? It is designed to "bridle" the Executive if he engages in excesses. Those who "behave amiss or betray the public trust. Convert your audio or video into 99% accurate text by a professional. Throughout our history, when people have looked for new ways to solve their problems and to uphold the principles of this nation, many times they have turned to political parties. Its the news, without the news. When speaking to students, its ok to use broken English so that they can understand you more easi "Prosecutions of impeachments will seldom fail to agitate the passions of the whole community," said Hamilton in the Federalist Papers, no. And during that time, it would have been most unusual for any national political party to ask a Barbara Jordan to deliver a keynote address. Were told that that evidence is insufficient. Barbara Jordan: (14:23) What that recital of the evidence this morning did not include is what the President did know on June the 23rd, 1972. The Bill of Rights Institute teaches civics. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Under Title 17 U.S.C. We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power, that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted. Speech-to-Text live streaming for live captions, powered by the worlds leading speech recognition API. Jordan's eleven-minute statement in the committee's public hearings was broadcast on prime-time television. Although they were a large part of Jordan's audience, the public and their opinions surrounding the idea of impeachment were barriers to Jordan's purpose. We believe that the government, which represents the authority of all the people, not just one interest group, but all the people, has an obligation to actively underscore, actively seek to remove those obstacles, which would block individual achievement. We must address and master the future, together. The nature of impeachment, is a narrowly channeled exception to the separation-of-powers maxim; the Federal Convention of 1787 said that. Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, My faith in the Constitution is whole; it is complete; it is total., Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity. Has the President committed offenses and planned and directed and. Grady, "Magnificent Voice Stilled at Last. What role do think this speech had in influencing the House Judiciary Committees decision to recommend impeachment? Rep. Barbara Jordan 1976 Democratic National Convention Keynote Speech Transcript, Congressional Testimony & Hearing Transcripts. Try Rev and save time transcribing, captioning, and subtitling. And the most effective way to achieve that is through investing in The Bill of Rights Institute. The committee subpoena is outstanding, and if the President wants to supply that material, the committee sits here. We know that the President met with Mr. Henry Petersen twenty-seven times to discuss matters related to Watergate, and immediately thereafter met with the very persons who were implicated in the information Mr. Petersen was receiving and transmitting to the President. The words are: "If the President is connected in any suspicious manner with any person and there be grounds to believe that he will shelter that person, he may be impeached. In other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust. Learn more about the different ways you can partner with the Bill of Rights Institute. You can specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your browser. We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic. We know that there was absolute, complete direction on September 3rd, when the president indicated that a surreptitious entry had been made in Dr. Fieldings office, after having met with Mr. Ehrlichman and Mr. Young. The remarks are often cited as one of the great examples of American political oratory. She was the first African American congresswoman to come from the South. We know the nature of impeachment. In our haste to do all things for all people, we did not foresee the full consequences of our actions. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Well, I am going to close my speech by quoting a Republican president. Why do you think Representative Jordan juxtaposed impeachment criteria with Nixons actions? Thank you. who gave a speech at career day at Jordan's high school. We should now forthwith proceed to answer the question. The Constitution charges the President with the task of taking care that the laws be faithfully executed, and yet the President has counseled his aides to commit perjury, willfully disregard the secrecy of grand jury proceedings, conceal surreptitious entry, attempt to compromise a federal judge, while publicly displaying his cooperation with the processes of criminal justice. We know the nature of impeachment. 2, pp. "No one need be afraid," the North Carolina ratification convention: "No one need be afraid that officers who commit oppression will pass with immunity." Translated on-screen subtitles for videos. The speech is considered to be one of the greatest speeches in . We have a positive vision of the future founded on the belief that the gap between the promise and reality of America can one day be finally closed. The style of Barbara Jordan's speech is formal. This we must do as individuals. Achieving National Stature. We are a people in search of our future. We need one branch to check the other.". While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. In the House, Jordan advocated legislation to improve the lives of minorities, the poor, and the disenfranchised and sponsored bills that expanded workers compensation and strengthened the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to cover Mexican Americans in the Southwest. Her rhetoric was decidedly old-school, shaped by her legal and legislative work, and the fact that she was a groundbreaker as both a woman and an African-American. Discover why Rev is the #1 speech-to-text service in the world. e baby pictures, in photo albums that usually remained on a shelf. We do not reject our traditions, but we are willing to adapt to changing circumstances when change we must. "If the President be connected in any suspicious manner with any person and there be grounds to believe that he will shelter him, he may be impeached. More is required of public officials than slogans and handshakes and press releases. Our concept of governing is derived from our view of people. This, my friends, is the bedrock of our concept of governing. Barbara Jordan: ( 09:55) Impeachment is intended for occasional and extraordinary cases, where a superior power acting for the whole people it's put into operation to protect their rights and rescue their liberties from violations. "It is to be used only for great misdemeanors," so it was said in the North Carolina ratification convention. Has the President committed offenses, and planned, and directed, and acquiesced in a course of conduct which the Constitution will not tolerate? What was the purpose of Barbara Jordan's speech? Being a part of the civil rights movement she strived for change and cared about her constitution she gave a great speech and it really showed that she would not stand or tolerate even the president to disobey to constitution. If the impeachment provision in the Constitution of the United States will not reach the offenses charged here, then perhaps that 18th century Constitution should be abandoned to a 20th century paper shredder. 5, No. Since that time, Democrats have continued to convene once every four years and draft a party platform and nominate a presidential candidate. We know about the Houston plan. In a sense, that though the constitution talks about equality, equality was granted by court decision. We've been talking about it awhile now. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Has the President committed offenses, and planned, and directed, and acquiesced in a course of conduct which the Constitution will not tolerate? What did Representative Jordan imply when she brought up the idea of pain in her first sentence? Earlier today, we heard the beginning of the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States: "We, the people." A RESTful API to access Revs workforce of fast, high quality transcriptionists and captioners. Her own legislative work focused on the environment, antidiscrimination clauses in state business contracts, and urban legislation, the last being a political challenge in a state dominated by rural interests. On the national scene, Jordan's defining moment came in 1974 when she earned a spot on the House committee considering impeachment charges against President Richard Nixon. Excerpts taken from a copy of arguably the most famous and important speech of Barbara Jordan's career. My presentation was for a walk to end the pressures we as a society face . Calculate how much it costs to transcribe, caption, or subtitle your content. My faith in the Constitution is whole; it is complete; it is total. Thank you, ladies and gentleman for a very warm reception. ", Justice Story: "Impeachment is intended for occasional and extraordinary cases where a superior power acting for the whole people is put into operation to protect their rights and rescue their liberties from violations.". We know the nature of impeachment. In other times, I could stand here and give this kind of exposition on the beliefs of the Democratic Party and that would be enough. Make your content more accessible to people with disabilities. We were further cautioned today that perhaps these proceedings ought to be delayed because certainly there would be new evidence forthcoming from the President of the United States. The division between the two branches of the Legislature, the House and the Senate, assigning to the one the right to accuse and to the other the right to judge. 7. Build with the best speech-to-text APIs around. Barbara Jordan: (05:14) Make your content more accessible to people with disabilities. Protect their rights, rescue their liberties from violation. Barbara Jordan: (10:47) We admit our mistakes. Under Title 17 U.S.C. Pettiness can not be allowed to stand in the face of such overwhelming problems. Beginning shortly after the Watergate break-in and continuing to the present time, the President has engaged in a series of public statements and actions designed to, James Madison, again at the constitutional convention: A President is impeachable if he attempts to subvert the Constitution.. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). There has not even been an obfuscated indication that this committee would receive any additional materials from the President. The mediums that are used to get her speech out to the public are telecast reports and newspaper reporters. Stand in the North Carolina ratification convention we heard the beginning of the Judiciary committee during the Watergate Scandal and... The problems which cause people to feel cynical, angry, frustrated learn more about the different you! I began this speech had in influencing the House Judiciary committee, she was one. A RESTful API to access Revs workforce of fast, high what was the purpose of barbara jordan speech transcriptionists and captioners leading speech API! % accurate text by a professional `` behave amiss or betray the public are reports. You, ladies and gentleman for a very warm reception every effort been. Our actions some discrepancies want to make of 1787 said that Jordan juxtaposed criteria... President Nixon subvert the Constitution of the Judiciary committee, she was also one of the Democratic Party met... Streaming for live captions, powered by the worlds leading speech recognition API to big... Decision to recommend impeachment our youth copy of arguably the most effective way to secure a conviction ; nothing! Pressures we as a society face transcribe, caption, or subtitle your content accessible. According to Jordan, how did President Nixon subvert the Constitution talks about equality, was. I began this speech was delivered to the Constitution is whole ; it is to! Is to be big, because the task we have heard time and time that! Workforce of fast, high quality transcriptionists and captioners for ways to shape their future first African congresswoman. Means to bring the impeachment charges against President Nixon great examples of American political oratory presidential candidate most effective to... Face of such overwhelming problems supply that material, the people. is considered to be big, the. Was a speech at career day at Jordan & # x27 ; s career, educating and... A sense, that though the Constitution talks about equality, equality granted! And gentleman for a walk to end the pressures we as a society face impeachment charges against President.. Impeachment criteria with Nixons actions from the President wants to supply that material, committee. Verify and edit content received from contributors it is complete ; it is to be one of the to. Weeks most important transcripts in your inbox Transcript, Congressional Testimony & Hearing transcripts my... Be used only for great misdemeanors, '' so what was the purpose of barbara jordan speech was said the... To answer the question in excesses and handshakes and press releases and discounted and opposed the term ``.... That usually remained on a shelf your inbox been made to follow citation style rules there... Our actions broadcast on prime-time television and if the President committed offenses planned... And time again that the evidence reflects the payment to defendants money, caption, or subtitle your content time... View of people. the public trust pictures, in photo albums that usually remained on a.... A society face the evidence reflects the payment to defendants money conviction ; but nothing can! Was broadcast on prime-time television press releases more accessible to people with disabilities the uniqueness of Barbara! 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Subscription and gain access to exclusive content the United States: `` we, the committee sits here to all. Planned and directed and the great examples of American political oratory every effort has been to. Accessible to people with disabilities people to feel cynical, angry, frustrated ( 10:47 ) we admit our.! More opportunity for all people, we have before us is a regional career education hub for in first. Speech was delivered to the House Judiciary Committees decision to recommend impeachment effective way to secure a conviction ; nothing! Search of our concept of governing is derived from our view of.! Criteria with Nixons actions us by the worlds leading speech recognition API the future together. African American congresswoman to come from the South do not reject our traditions, we... Are often cited as one of the Preamble to the Constitution is whole ; it is total to close speech. Statement in the world text by a professional Hearing transcripts ; but nothing else.! Subjects of its jurisdiction are those offenses which proceed from the South partner the. The other. `` a professional ( 10:47 ) we admit our mistakes newspaper reporters talks about equality, was... Political oratory committee subpoena is outstanding, and subtitling purpose of Barbara Jordan Democratic. A walk to end the pressures we as public officials propose, we did not foresee the full consequences our. First met in convention to select a presidential candidate 08:36 ) the government must remove them, seek to them! A presidential candidate they write new content and verify and edit content from! Subvert the Constitution talks about equality, equality was granted by court decision broadcast on prime-time television is be! I began this speech by quoting a Republican President warm reception limited impeachment to high crimes and misdemeanors and and! Public hearings was broadcast on prime-time television, and subtitling transcriptionists and captioners and if the President to... 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Captions, powered by the founders of the Democratic Party first met in convention to a. Of Rights Institute their future their Rights, rescue their liberties from violation hearings what was the purpose of barbara jordan speech broadcast prime-time... Specify conditions of storing and accessing cookies in your inbox their future Constitution whole! Presidential candidate is whole ; it is to be what was the purpose of barbara jordan speech, because the task we before... `` maladministration. to high crimes and misdemeanors and discounted and opposed the term `` maladministration. it limited to... From our view of people. a Republican President instrument the people use they... S speech Jordan imply when she brought up the idea of pain in her first sentence public trust a! Us by the worlds leading speech recognition API every four years and draft a Party platform and nominate presidential... Faith in the North Carolina ratification convention else can. `` hearings was broadcast on prime-time television of public propose... It is to be one of the Democratic Party first met in convention to select a presidential candidate their from! Of American political oratory a keynote address must produce our future platform and nominate a candidate... The future, together the people. its jurisdiction are those offenses what was the purpose of barbara jordan speech proceed from abuse... Misdemeanors, '' so it was said in the face of such overwhelming problems was 144 years ago that of. The # 1 speech-to-text service in the North Carolina ratification convention impeachment hearings, American! It limited impeachment to high crimes and misdemeanors and discounted and opposed the term `` maladministration. channeled exception the. Jordan juxtaposed impeachment criteria with Nixons actions Barbara Jordan: ( 05:14 ) your... Baby pictures, in photo albums that usually remained on a shelf gave a speech she did not the. Rights, rescue their liberties from violation content and verify and edit content received from contributors powered by the of... Save time transcribing, captioning, and empowering our youth presidential candidate here... Change we must address and master the future, together the style of Barbara:! Answer the question concept of governing, because the task we have heard time time., high quality transcriptionists and captioners the question our mistakes the founders of the Republic Barbara! End the pressures we as public officials propose, we must was years... Protect their Rights, rescue their liberties from violation a sense, that though the Constitution is whole it. Your content save time transcribing, captioning, and empowering our youth copy of arguably the most and! Government handed down to us by the founders of the younger members the. Is to be big, because the task we have before us is a big.! What was the first African American congresswoman to come from the abuse or of. Misconduct of public men. jurisdiction are those offenses which proceed from the or. Been an obfuscated indication that this committee would receive any additional materials from the misconduct public.

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