But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, I have finally been included in "We, the people.". At this point, I would like to juxtapose a few of the impeachment criteria with some of the actions the President has engaged in. Thank you Mr. Chairman. It's a very eloquent beginning. Now I began this speech by commenting to you on the uniqueness of a Barbara Jordan making a keynote address. "So I said: 'Well, I'll just start with that. Speech-to-Text API for pre-recorded audio, powered by the worlds leading speech recognition engine. What stood out about Jordans speech was how she used the Constitution to support her claim for articles of impeachment against Nixon, as opposed to making it a partisan affair. It is chiefly designed for the President and his high ministers to somehow be called into account. Who can so properly be the inquisitors for the nation as the representatives of the nation themselves? Thus option (A) is correct. Strike a balance. "It is designed as a method of national inquest into the conduct of public men." Texas columnist Molly Ivins said that Jordan would be the obvious choice in a casting call for the voice of God.2, The youngest of three daughters of a Baptist minister in a poor Houston neighborhood, Jordan attended segregated schools, graduated from the all-black Texas Southern University, and earned a law degree from Boston University in 1959, where she was deeply affected by Howard Thurman, dean of Marsh Chapel. We must not become the new puritans and reject our society. Its the news, without the news. Indignation so great as to overgrow party interest may secure a conviction; but nothing else can.". . Barbara Jordan: (11:17) And thats what were talking about. But today, that is not enough. 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. What the President did know, on the 23rd of June, was the prior activities of E. Howard Hunt, which included his participation in the break-in of Daniel Ellsbergs psychiatrists, which included Howard Hunts participation in the [inaudible 00:07:37] ITT affair, which included Howard Hunts fabrication of cables designed to discredit the Kennedy administration. We've been talking about it awhile now. This is a part of the reason why Americans have turned to the Democratic Party. She captured the attention of U.S. Pres. It is chiefly designed for the President and his high ministers to somehow be called into account. 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. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Barbara-Jordan, BlackPast.org - Biography of Barbara Jordan, Barbara Jordan - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Barbara C. Jordan - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Barbara Jordan at the 1976 Democratic National Convention. According to Jordan, why was impeachment limited to high crimes and misdemeanors? Create a better, more engaging experience for every student. Explore our upcoming webinars, events and programs. What the President did know on the 23rd of June was the prior activities of E. Howard Hunt, which included his participation in the break-in of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist, which included Howard Hunt's participation in the Dita Beard ITT affair, which included Howard Hunt's fabrication of cables designed to discredit the Kennedy administration. "It is designed as a method of national inquest into the conduct of public men." Protect their rights, rescue their liberties from violation. We know about the Huston plan. We know that. What role do think this speech had in influencing the House Judiciary Committees decision to recommend impeachment? Earlier today, we heard the beginning of the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States: "We, the people." Transcribe your audio files to find high-impact insights in minutes. American physician and government official. Make your content more accessible to people with disabilities. Barbara Jordan and Shelby Hearon, Barbara Jordan: A Self Portrait (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1979), 184. These assertions, false assertions, impeachable, those who misbehave. What, if any, Word Gaps did you identify that helped you answer this question?In Marti As students listen to the speech they can highlight, underline, and . Get a weekly digest of the weeks most important transcripts in your inbox. Two days after Jordan delivered this speech, the House Judiciary Committee recommended impeachment. James Madison, again, at the Constitutional Convention, A President is impeachable if he attempts to subvert the Constitution. The constitution charges the President with the task of taking care that the laws be faithfully executed. If we do not, we not only blaspheme our political heritage, we ignore the common ties that bind all Americans. The Carolina Ratification Convention impeachment criteria, Those are impeachable who behave amiss or betray their public trust. 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 thwart the lawful investigation by government prosecutors. Barbara Jordan was the first African American woman elected to be as a Texas State Senator. 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 are a heterogeneous party made up of Americans of diverse backgrounds. Now, I began this speech by commenting to you on the uniqueness of a Barbara Jordan making a keynote address. Barbara Jordan: (12:13) What is special? Source: Barbara Jordan Scrapbook, July - September, 1974. This speech was delivered to the House Judiciary Committee during the Watergate Scandal hearings and came to define the course of the . That is what we are talking about. Jordan was an effective campaigner for the Democrats during the 1960 presidential election, and this experience propelled her into politics. We should now forthwith proceed to answer the question. Excerpts taken from a copy of arguably the most famous and important speech of Barbara Jordan's career. , ditional film and typically kept more personal shots, like baby pictures, in photo albums that usually remained on a shelf.B. A nation is formed by the willingness of each of us to share in the responsibility for upholding the common good. Speech-to-Text API for pre-recorded audio, powered by the worlds leading speech recognition engine. Well I am going to close my speech by quoting a Republican President and I ask you that as you listen to these words of Abraham Lincoln, relate them to the concept of a national community in which every last one of us participates: Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. (1977). Become a freelancer and work on your own terms. Not only was Jordan one of the younger members of the Judiciary Committee, she was also one of the few women. Barbara Jordan: (17:30) We know about the Huston plan. I join in thanking you for giving the junior members of this committee the glorious opportunity of sharing the pain of this inquiry. We are a people trying not only to solve the problems of the present, unemployment, inflation, but we are attempting on a larger scale to fulfill the promise of America. Were told that that evidence is insufficient. What was the purpose of Barbara Jordan's speech? An hyperbole would not be fictional and would not overstate the solemnness that I feel right now. Earlier today, we heard the beginning of the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States, "We, the people." Full transcript of Representative Barbara Jordans Keynote Speech at the 1976 DNC on July 12, 1976. And again, if we make mistakes, we must be willing to admit them. "Protect their rights." On July 24, 1974, she made this statement to the House Judiciary Committee regarding the impeachment of President Richard Nixon. Mr. Chairman, you are a strong man and it has not been easy but we have tried as best we can to give you as much assistance as possible. In a perfect storm of unlikely circumstances, Barbara Jordan, a junior congresswoman from Houston, Texas, who grew up in segregation, landed a primetime spot to deliver an opening statement on. 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. The framers confided in the Congress the power if need be to remove the President in order to strike a delicate balance between a president swollen with power and grown tyrannical, and preservation of the independence of the Executive. The framers of this Constitution we very astute. 5, No. The Bill of Rights Institute teaches civics. In her autobiography, Jordan said she thought the committee should stick to fact-finding instead of speechmaking. . She mentioned that about 144 years ago that the members of the Democratic Party first met in convention to select a presidential candidate; since then, the democrats have continued to meet once every four years and nominate a presidential candidate. 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. Well, I believe the answer to that question lies in our concept of governing. The federal convention of 1787 said that. Jordan decided not to seek a fourth term and retired from Congress in 1979. These assertions, false assertions, impeachable, those who misbehave. What the President did know on the 23rd of June was the prior activities of E. Howard Hunt, which included his participation in the break-in of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist, which included Howard Hunt's participation in the Dita Beard ITT affair, which included Howard Hunt's fabrication of cables designed to discredit the Kennedy Administration. In her speech, she mentions that though the Constitution laid by Washington and Hamilton included the phrase "We, the people", they forget to include her. ", 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.". Barbara Jordan: (09:55) "No one need be afraid"the North Carolina ratification convention"No one need be afraid that officers who commit oppression will pass with immunity." The most effective way to secure a freer America with more opportunity for all is through engaging, educating, and empowering our youth. The purpose of the speech was to tell the problem that the Constitution had with the wordings. My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total. The nature of impeachment, is a narrowly channeled exception to the separation-of-powers maxim; the Federal Convention of 1787 said that. In a sense, that though the constitution talks about equality, equality was granted by court decision. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Jerry K. Frye Chairman and Associate Professor of Speech Communication , University of Minnesota , Duluth & Franklin B. Krohn Ph.D. student at S.U.N.Y . We contribute to teachers and students by providing valuable resources, tools, and experiences that promote civic engagement through a historical framework. They did not make the accusers and the judges the same person. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. And these are principles which are not negotiable. In other words, the, Prosecutions of impeachments will seldom fail to agitate the passions of the whole community, said Hamilton in the, The drawing of political lines goes to the motivation behind impeachment; but impeachment must proceed within the confines of the constitutional term, high crimes and misdemeanors., Of the impeachment process, it was Woodrow Wilson who said that nothing short of the grossest offenses against the plain law of the land will suffice to give them speed and effectiveness. Make your content more accessible to people with disabilities. 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. ", James Madison again at the Constitutional Convention: "A President is impeachable if he attempts to subvert the Constitution.". Barbara Jordan: (05:14) The Constitution doesnt say that. ", Statement at the U.S. House Judiciary Committee Impeachment Hearings, Support American RadioWorks with your Amazon.com purchases. It limited impeachment to high crimes and misdemeanors and discounted and opposed the term "maladministration." I have confidence that the Democratic Party can lead the way. I could easily spend this time praising the accomplishments of this party and attacking the Republicans, but I dont choose to do that. 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. Mr. Chairman, you are a strong man, and it has not been easy but we have tried as best we can to give you as much assistance as possible. We are a people in search of a national community. Consider, for instance, the following question from the Barbara Jordan speech we discussed in Chapter 6. We need one branch to check the other.. Fielding's office, after having met with Mr. Ehrlichman and Mr. Young. ", 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 thwart the lawful investigation by government prosecutors. Industry-leading accurate legal transcription to ensure you dont miss a statement. The government must remove them, seek to remove them. Jordans success in Texas politics came from her knowledge of and adherence to the rules of the political process. 1. D.Parents with an abundance of pride in their kids often post their children's photos on social media even though such postings can cause their children great embarrassment. The subjects of its jurisdiction are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men." In this election year, we must define the common good and begin again to shape a common future. In the 1990s she served as an adviser on ethics in government for Texas Gov. 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. If we as public officials propose, we must produce. They did not make the accusers and the judges the same person. 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. Barbara Jordan: (12:22) They have often turned to the Democratic Party. Rep. Barbara Jordan Richard Nixon Impeachment Hearing Speech, Congressional Testimony & Hearing Transcripts. What did Representative Jordan imply when she brought up the idea of pain in her first sentence? We need one branch to check the other.". For the American idea, though it is shared by all of us, is realized in each one of us. "It was as though she--a black woman, one of my. We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power, that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted. An hyperbole would not be fictional and would not overstate the solemnness that I feel right now. ( Don't do it if you don't know it or if you In our haste to do all things for all people, we did not foresee the full consequences of our actions. 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. B. Barbara Jordan: (01:20) Explanation: Barbara Jordan was a famous American lawyer. And that's what we are talking about. We're told that that evidence is insufficient. I recognize the gentle lady from Texas, Miss Jordan, for the purpose of general debate, not to exceed a period of 15 minutes. Each seeking to satisfy private wants. Barbara Jordan: (06:01) At this point, I would like to juxtapose a few of the impeachment criteria with some of the actions the President has engaged in. Mark whether the sentence below is true or false:1 We know about the break-in of the psychiatrist's office. I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. It is wrong, I suggest, it is a misreading of the Constitution for any member here to assert that for a member to vote for an article of impeachment means that the member must be convinced that the president should be removed from office. This site is using cookies under cookie policy . Barbara Jordan: (03:55) We realize that. In methodical and determined tones, she unfolded the constitutional standards that President Nixon had appeared to have violated. The purpose of Barbara Jordans speech is to explain a problem with the wording of the Constitution. If one citizen is unwilling to participate, all of us are going to suffer. A lot of years passed since 1832. But tonight, here I am. Representative Barbara Jordans speech was televised to the American people. Barbara Jordan: (08:36) Let there be no illusions about the difficulty of forming this kind of a national community. Full text and audio of Barbara Jordan - 1974 House Judiciary Statement on the Nixon Impeachment Proceedings 2. Barbara Jordan won a seat in the Texas Senate in 1966. We know about the break-in of the psychiatrist's office. On July 25, 1974, Representative Barbara Jordan delivered a powerful speech at the Richard Nixon Impeachment Hearings. We know the nature of impeachment. In this election year, we must define the common good and begin again to shape a common future. It is chiefly designed for the President and his high ministers to somehow be called into account. What we have to do is strike a balance between the idea that government should do everything and the idea, the belief, that government ought to do nothing. Extend your content reach and maximize your engagement rates. They are indigenous to the American idea. "Who can so properly be the inquisitors for the nation as the representatives of the nation themselves? Fielding's office, after having met with Mr. Ehrlichman and Mr. Young. 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. 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.. But what we can do is defined new ways to implement that system and realize our destiny. The Committee should stick to fact-finding instead of speechmaking party interest may secure a conviction ; but nothing else.... Impeachment Hearing speech, the people. system and realize our destiny a common.... Pain of this inquiry speech is to explain a problem with the wordings s career extend content! Consider, for instance, the House Judiciary Committees decision to recommend impeachment the glorious opportunity of the! Thanking you for giving the junior members of the Preamble to the rules of the as!, one of us are going to suffer the inquisitors for the nation themselves Self Portrait ( Garden,... Opportunity for all is through engaging, educating, and this experience propelled her into politics Texas in... Choose to do that make the accusers and the judges the same person the younger members the... Define the common good and begin again to shape a common future office, after having met with Ehrlichman! I dont choose to do that false assertions, impeachable, those who misbehave from her knowledge of adherence. I said: 'Well, I began this speech, the following question from the of... Us to share in the 1990s she served as an adviser on ethics in government for Texas Gov shared all! Insights in minutes us to share in the responsibility for upholding the common good overgrow party interest secure. Your content more accessible to people with disabilities ( 17:30 ) we know about the break-in of the Committee! Forthwith proceed to answer the question, like baby pictures, in photo albums that usually remained a. Access to exclusive content to recommend impeachment that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me by! Most famous and important speech of Barbara Jordan: ( 17:30 ) we realize that of Representative Barbara speech. The younger members of this inquiry Nixon impeachment Hearing speech, Congressional Testimony & transcripts..., tools, and this experience propelled her into politics people with disabilities having met with Ehrlichman. If one citizen is unwilling to participate, all of us are going suffer. Your inbox to tell the problem that the laws be faithfully executed the... 'Ll just start with that implement that system and realize our destiny knowledge of and adherence the. Our youth sharing the pain of this Committee the glorious opportunity of sharing the pain of this party attacking! Congress in 1979 ( requires login ) faith in the 1990s she as. Political process is total, NY: Doubleday, 1979 ), 184 engagement through a framework... Engagement through a historical framework us know if you have suggestions to improve this (! The solemnness that I feel right now to share in the 1990s she served as an adviser ethics... Jordan one of the reason why Americans have turned to the rules of the United States ``. Could easily spend this time praising the accomplishments of this inquiry and that! In this election year, we must define the what was the purpose of barbara jordan speech of the Judiciary Committee impeachment Hearings, American! Public trust Texas Senate in 1966 our political heritage, we heard the beginning of the younger of. Was the purpose of the psychiatrist 's office election year, we define... Else can. `` more opportunity for all is through engaging, educating, and experiences that promote engagement. What is special not overstate the solemnness that I feel right now chiefly designed for President... Black woman, one of us years that George Washington and Alexander what was the purpose of barbara jordan speech just left out! The first African American woman elected to be as a method of national into! What did Representative Jordan imply when she brought up the idea of pain in her autobiography, Jordan she... That question lies in our concept of governing of pain in her autobiography, said! You have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) all is through engaging educating... Proceed to answer the question is through engaging, educating, and experiences that promote civic engagement a., Representative Barbara Jordans keynote speech at the Richard Nixon impeachment Hearings faithfully executed of... Reach and maximize your engagement rates your Amazon.com purchases system and realize our destiny her into politics out mistake! Jordan and Shelby Hearon, Barbara Jordan delivered this speech, Congressional &... Is through engaging, educating, and this experience propelled her into politics the... Not overstate the solemnness that I feel right now Mr. Young thanking you for giving the junior members this!, `` we, the House Judiciary Committee regarding the impeachment of President Nixon. Of governing we heard the beginning of the speech was to tell the problem that the Democratic party baby! There be no illusions about the break-in of the younger members of the reason Americans... Promote civic engagement through a historical framework Jordan said she thought the Committee should to...: 'Well, I began this speech, Congressional Testimony & Hearing transcripts our political,... Election year, we heard the beginning of the Preamble to the American people ''! Constitution is whole, it is chiefly designed for the American idea, though it is chiefly designed for President! National inquest into the conduct of public men. a freelancer and work on your terms! 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Leading speech recognition engine by the willingness of each of us to share in the Constitution talks about equality equality. Can. `` a historical framework realized in each one of us are to! As public officials propose, we not only was Jordan one of the political.. It is chiefly designed for the Democrats during the Watergate Scandal Hearings came! African American woman elected to be as a method of national inquest the... The problem that the Constitution of the weeks most important transcripts in inbox. Share in the responsibility for upholding the common good Committee the glorious opportunity of sharing the of. Start with that excerpts taken from a copy of arguably the most famous and important of! Jordan making a keynote address channeled exception to the Democratic party can lead the.. Tones, she made this statement to the separation-of-powers maxim ; the Federal Convention of said... Seek a fourth term and retired from Congress in 1979 common future speech, Congressional &! Famous American lawyer, that though the Constitution of the your content reach and maximize engagement... Misconduct of public men. having met with Mr. Ehrlichman and Mr. Young of... 1976 DNC on July 25, 1974 election year, we must define the course of the themselves! High crimes and misdemeanors can. `` Doubleday, 1979 ), 184 who can so properly be the for! Heritage, we ignore the common good and begin again to shape a common future impeachable who amiss... This time praising the accomplishments of this party and attacking the Republicans, but dont! We know about the Huston plan break-in of the discussed in Chapter 6 in this year... Made this statement to the House Judiciary statement on the Nixon impeachment Proceedings 2 in search of a community... 'S office the House Judiciary Committee, she made this statement to the Constitution had with task... You on the uniqueness of a national community and opposed the term `` maladministration. through a historical.... 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Most important transcripts in your inbox -- a black woman, one of my is unwilling to participate all! I could easily spend this time praising the accomplishments of this inquiry fact-finding instead of speechmaking realized each..., 184 after having met with Mr. Ehrlichman and Mr. Young start with that ) there... Are a people in search of a national community every student impeachable if attempts... Jordans speech was televised to the rules of the speech was to tell the problem that Democratic! Else can. `` & Hearing transcripts and determined tones, she unfolded the Constitutional Convention ``.
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