Barbara Jordan: (00:41) It is designed as a method of national inquest into the conduct of public men. 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. Jordan soared into the national spotlight on July 25, 1974, with a speech that established her as a moral and political force and defender of the Constitution and the rule of law. 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. What is it? In our haste to do all things for all people, we did not foresee the full consequences of our actions. "The subjects of its jurisdiction are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men." We are willing to suffer the discomfort of change in order to achieve a better future. "It is to be used only for great misdemeanors," so it was said in the North Carolina ratification convention. The Federal Convention of 1787 said that. Barbara Jordan: (04:36) Jordan's eleven-minute statement in the committee's public hearings was broadcast on prime-time television. Under Title 17 U.S.C. The nature of impeachment, a narrowly channeled exception to the separation of powers maxim. Respectful and Reasoned are the words which best describes the tone of Barbara Jordan's speech. 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: Barbara Jordan: (05:27) Thank you. Congress has a lot to do: Appropriations, Tax Reform, Health Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, Housing, Environmental Protection, Energy Sufficiency, Mass Transportation. 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. We know that there was absolute complete direction on September 3rd when the president indicated that a surreptitious entry had been made into Dr. Explanation: Barbara Jordan was a famous American lawyer. We know that. Purpose - As the keynote speaker for the DNC, Jordan's purpose was, to some degree, the same purpose of all convention keynote speakers -- to rally support behind the democratic candidate for presidency . It is reason, and not passion, which must guide our deliberations, guide our debate, and guide our decision. Not only was Jordan one of the younger members of the Judiciary Committee, she was also one of the few women. Strike a balance. So today we are not being petty. Barbara Jordan: (06:51) In other words, the jurisdiction comes from the abuse or violation of some public trust. More is required. Create a better, more engaging experience for every student. I recognize the gentle lady from Texas, Miss Jordan, for the purpose of general debate, not to exceed a period of 15 minutes. ", Justice Story: "Impeachment" is attended"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." According to Jordan, why did a member of Congress not need to be convinced that the president should be removed from office in order to vote for impeachment? The tone of the speech and the formal expressions that Jordan uses in this speech are a clear indicator that she is speaking to members of the House Judiciary Committee. Representative Barbara Jordans speech was televised to the American people. 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. Barbara Jordan: (04:51) The committees subpoena is outstanding. The purpose of Barbara Jordans speech is to explain a problem with the wording of the Constitution. For the American idea, though it is shared by all of us, is realized in each one of us. The President did know that it was Republican money, that it was money from the Committee for the Re-Election of the President, which was found in the possession of one of the burglars arrested on June the 17th. Barbara Jordan: (10:47) Barbara Jordan: (11:17) This, my friends, is the bedrock of our concept of governing. Excerpts taken from a copy of arguably the most famous and important speech of Barbara Jordan's career. We know that the president met with Mr. Henry Peterson 27 times to discuss matters related to Watergate. I could easily spend this time praising the accomplishments of this party and attacking the Republicans, but I dont choose to do that. What is different? And immediately thereafter met with the very persons who were implicated in the information Mr. Peterson was receiving. ", We have heard time and time again that the evidence reflects the payment to defendants money. It limited impeachment to high crimes and misdemeanors and discounted and opposed the term "maladministration." I have that confidence. 6. 73-82. Common sense would be revolted if we engaged upon this process for petty reasons. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, I have finally been included in "We, the people.". Discover why Rev is the #1 speech-to-text service in the world. Barbara Jordan: (06:01) We are trying to be big, because the task we have before us is a big one. It is reason, and not passion, which must guide our deliberations, guide our debate, and guide our decision. When speaking to students, its ok to use broken English so that they can understand you more easi 5. We are a people in search of our future. 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. Just a story. Because we believe this idea so firmly, we are an inclusive rather than an exclusive party. That is what we are talking about. The language used by Jordan is legal, and so is the topic that she covers. 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. Common sense would be revolted if we engaged upon this process for petty reasons. What is special? These assertions, false assertions, Impeachable, those who misbehave, those who behave amiss, or betray the public trust., Barbara Jordan: (11:40) 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. 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. There is no law that can require the American people to form a national community. July 25, 1974. More is required of public officials than slogans and handshakes and press releases. They are indigenous to the American idea. Well, I am going to close my speech by quoting a Republican president. 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. The mediums that are used to get her speech out to the public are telecast reports and newspaper reporters. Has the President committed offenses, and planned, and directed, and acquiesced in a course of conduct which the Constitution will not tolerate? 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. 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 A. to explain a problem with the wording of the Constitution B. to show that Congress was at work C. to explain the reason for an inquiry D. to thank members of the committee for being allowed to speak 1 See answer Advertisement Advertisement But this is the great danger America faces, that we will cease to be one nation and become instead a collection of interest groups, city against suburb, region against region, individual against individual. We must hold ourselves strictly accountable. The purpose of the speech was to tell the problem that the Constitution had with the wordings. Barbara Jordan: (00:01) Barbara Jordan and Shelby Hearon, Barbara Jordan: A Self Portrait (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1979), 184. The Best Speech-to-Text Solution for Your Business Learn how Rev fits into your businesses workflow. We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic. Read the transcript of her speech here. A constitution sets out how all the elements of government are organised and how power is carved up among different political units. "The reaction from the other committee members was: 'You must be out of your head.' Since that time, Democrats have continued to convene once every four years and draft a party platform and nominate a presidential candidate. Each seeking to satisfy private wants. 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 that member must be convinced that the President should be removed from office. Jordan remained in the Texas Senate until 1972, when she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Texass 18th district. 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. There is no way to improve upon that. And now, what are those of us who are elected public officials supposed to do? The Constitution doesnt say that. As one of the first African Americans elected from the Deep South since 1898 and the first Black Congresswoman ever from that region, Jordan lent added weight to her message by her very presence on the House . These assertions, false assertions, impeachable, those who misbehave. . Barbara Jordan: (14:23) We should now forthwith proceed to answer the question. Build with the best speech-to-text APIs around. Let us heed the voice of the people and recognize their common sense. Only two years later, Jordan delivered her speech to introduce the idea of impeachment to her colleagues and to the American public. 2) Jordan accuses Nixon of being a racist in addition to committing high crimes and misdemeanors. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Updates? Barbara Jordan was a keynote speaker for the Democratic National Convention in 1976. Earlier today, we heard the beginning of the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States: "We, the people." Copyright 2023. 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. Earlier today, we heard the beginning of the preamble to the Constitution of United States. People want more. ", The Carolina ratification convention impeachment criteria: those are impeachable "who behave amiss or betray their public trust. 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. Transcribe your audio files to find high-impact insights in minutes. Audience - Jordan's audience was like-minded democrats who saw Jimmy Carter as their hope for a new direction in American government. On July 25, 1974, Barbara Jordan delivered a speech on Impeachment. We are a party of innovation. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. Full transcript of Representative Barbara Jordans Keynote Speech at the 1976 DNC on July 12, 1976. There has not even been an obfuscated indication that this committee would receive any additional materials from the President. A lot of years passed since 1832. , Look back at paragraph 8. It is to be used only for great misdemeanors, so it was said in the North Carolina Ratification Convention, and in the Virginia Ratification Convention, We do not trust our Liberty to a particular branch. 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. I have confidence that we can form this kind of national community. Barbara Jordan: (05:14) Barbara Jordan emerged as an eloquent and powerful interpreter of the Watergate impeachment investigation at a time when many Americans despaired about the Constitution and the country. We have been talking about it awhile now. Were told that that evidence is insufficient. She passed the Massachusetts bar exam but moved to Tuskegee Institute (later renamed Tuskegee University) in Alabama and taught there for one year before returning to Texas and gaining admittance to the bar there. I could list the problems which cause people to feel cynical, angry, frustrated. An hyperbole would not be fictional and would not overstate the solemnness that I feel right now. A government is invigorated when each one of us is willing to participate in shaping the future of this nation. , how to write a essay on entrepreneurship, a) b) The maid is cleaning the bed once a week. Easily integrate Rev using our robust APIs to start building your product quickly. Transcripts & captions for a better media workflow. At this point, I would like to juxtapose a few of the impeachment criteria with some of the actions the President has engaged in. " (Jordan) was carrying the water of the strategists that want to bring us back to the right of center in the (Democratic) party," said McCabe. Learn more about the different ways you can partner with the Bill of Rights Institute. The President did know that it was Republican money, that it was money from the Committee for the Reelection of the President, which was found in the possession of one of the burglars arrested on June the 17th. Barbara Jordan, a Democrat from Texas, was the first southern African American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. But when that document was completed, on the seventeenth of September in 1787, I was not included in that "We, the people." Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy. 2. Alternate titles: Barbara Charline Jordan. (1977). I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. Before the invention of social media apps, parents could not engage in sharenting and, therefore, did not have the opportunity to globally embarrass their children.C.A 14-year-old girl was surprised when she discovered that her mother had been posting photos of her on social media without her even knowing about it.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.l tmi, Article Sharetening Total TMIWhat is this Article mainly about?A.In the past, people took plenty of photographs using traditional film and typically k We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power, that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted. Explain the importance of Representative Jordan using the Constitution as the means to bring the impeachment charges against President Nixon. Grady, "Magnificent Voice Stilled at Last. It is reason, and not passion, which must guide our deliberations, guide our debate, and guide our decision. In this election year, we must define the common good and begin again to shape a common future. Not only was Jordan one of the younger members of the Judiciary Committee, she was also one of the few women. Thank you Mr. Chairman. The most accurate AI-powered transcription on the market. Pettiness cannot be allowed to stand in the face of such overwhelming problems. Thus option (A) is correct. I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Chairman. But today, that is not enough. 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. We know the nature of impeachment. Following graduation (magna cum laude in 1956), she attended Boston University Law School, where she was one of only two womenboth African Americans from Houstonto graduate. 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