And if the President wants to supply that material, the committee sits here. My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total. 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. Obstacles emanating from race, sex, economic condition. Barbara Jordan was a keynote speaker for the Democratic National Convention in 1976. What was the purpose of Barbara Jordans speech? How did that demonstrate its significance? In this election year, we must define the common good and begin again to shape a common future. The nature of impeachment, a narrowly channeled exception to the separation of powers maxim. We know that, we know the question. We are a generous people, so why cant we be generous with each other? Section 107, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. She went on to become the first black person elected to Congress from Texas since Reconstruction. 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 Bill of Rights Institute teaches civics. Pettiness cannot be allowed to stand in the face of such overwhelming problems. 2) Jordan accuses Nixon of being a racist in addition to committing high crimes and misdemeanors. . Extend your content reach and maximize your engagement rates. Earlier today, we heard the beginning of the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States, "We, the people." This morning, in a discussion of the evidence, we are told that the evidence which purports to support the allegations of misuse of the CIA by the President is thin. May 2013. Barbara Jordan: (09:24) We contribute to teachers and students by providing valuable resources, tools, and experiences that promote civic engagement through a historical framework. Even as I stand here and admit that we have made mistakes, I still believe that as the people of America sit in judgment on each party, they will recognize that our mistakes were mistakes of the heart. Let there be no illusions about the difficulty of forming this kind of a national community. The President had knowledge that these funds were being paid and these were funds collected for the 1972 presidential campaign. Translated on-screen subtitles for videos. Barbara Jordan, 10/18/1976. 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. Since June 2018, Jordan is a regional career education hub for . We know the question. 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. 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. When Barbara Jordan was born in Houston . 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. I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the. On July 24, 1974, she made this statement to the House Judiciary Committee regarding the impeachment of President Richard Nixon. Barbara Jordan was the first African American woman elected to be as a Texas State Senator. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. We should now forthwith proceed to answer the question. 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. Become a freelancer and work on your own terms. In her autobiography, Jordan said she thought the committee should stick to fact-finding instead of speechmaking. Thank you. It is reason, and not passion, which must guide our deliberations, guide our debate, and guide our decision. . Barbara Jordan: (19:10) In 1976, are we to be one people bound together by common spirit, sharing in a common endeavor, or will we become a divided nation? Jordan declared she would not be an idle spectator to "the destruction of the Constitution" by Richard Nixon and his administration. Because we believe this idea so firmly, we are an inclusive rather than an exclusive party. Make your investment into the leaders of tomorrow through the Bill of Rights Institute today! While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Full transcript of Representative Barbara Jordans Keynote Speech at the 1976 DNC on July 12, 1976. At this point, I would like to juxtapose a few of the impeachment criteria with some of the actions the President has engaged in. ", We have heard time and time again that the evidence reflects the payment to defendants money. African American History, Impeachment, President, Womens History. ", Statement at the U.S. House Judiciary Committee Impeachment Hearings, Support American RadioWorks with your Amazon.com purchases. 5, No. We're told that that evidence is insufficient. The nature of impeachment, is a narrowly channeled exception to the separation-of-powers maxim; the Federal Convention of 1787 said that. 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. In Barbara Jordan: (14:23) Barbara Jordan: (07:46) I have confidence that the Democratic Party can lead the way. Call To Action Historical Context Before Barbara What that recital of the evidence this morning did not include is what the President did know on June the 23rd, 1972. . Those who "behave amiss or betray the public trust. Indignation so great as to overgrow party interest may secure a conviction, but nothing else can. Common sense would be revolted, if we engaged upon this process for petty reasons. We the people. Its a very eloquent beginning. In establishing 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. If that happens, who then will speak for America? We know that there was absolute complete direction on September 3rd when the president indicated that a surreptitious entry had been made into Dr. These assertions, false assertions, impeachable, those who misbehave. We should now forthwith proceed to answer the question. 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. Those who "behave amiss or betray the public trust. 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 Indignation so great as to overgrow party interest may secure a conviction; but nothing else can.". What is it? It's a very eloquent beginning. Barbara Jordan, a Democrat from Texas, was the first southern African American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Add English on-screen subtitles for videos. Journal of Applied Communication Research: Vol. We need one branch to check the other.". 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 . 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. Transcripts & captions for a better media workflow. "Who can so properly be the inquisitors for the nation as the representatives of the nation themselves? I think it no accident that most of those immigrating to America in the 19th century identified with the Democratic Party. This site is using cookies under cookie policy . Barbara Jordan: (17:30) Not only was Jordan one of the younger members of the Judiciary Committee, she was also one of the few women. Use this primary source text to explore key historical events. Now I began this speech by commenting to you on the uniqueness of a Barbara Jordan making a keynote address. We are told that that evidence is insufficient. Under Title 17 U.S.C. "1 Jordan was named Best Living Orator by a professional speakers' organization. Barbara Jordan: (08:36) Omissions? In the 1990s she served as an adviser on ethics in government for Texas Gov. Calculate how much it costs to transcribe, caption, or subtitle your content. The purpose of the speech was to tell the problem that the Constitution had with the wordings. Two days later, on July 27, 1974, Jordan voted to impeach the president (Nixon would resign before the Senate commenced a trial). Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy. The purpose of Barbara Jordan's speech is to explain a problem with the wording of the Constitution. As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Extend your content reach and maximize your engagement rates. Alternate titles: Barbara Charline Jordan. 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. 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. Barbara Jordan: (03:55) It is chiefly designed for the President and his high ministers to somehow be called into account. My presentation was for a walk to end the pressures we as a society face . That is not sufficient reason for the majority of the people of this country to decide to vote Democratic. Read the transcript of her speech here. These assertions, false assertions, Impeachable, those who misbehave, those who behave amiss, or betray the public trust., Barbara Jordan: (11:40) "Rescue their liberties from violation. We know about the break-in of the psychiatrists office. '"5 The next evening, when the camera focused on her, Jordan opened with an African American perspective on the Constitution, then quickly moved her rhetorical position to that of all "the people" covered by that document of protections and promises. Were told that that evidence is insufficient. who gave a speech at career day at Jordan's high school. Achieving National Stature. We know the nature of impeachment. More is required. Thus option (A) is correct. The subjects of its jurisdiction are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men." She attended Texas Southern University in Houston, becoming a member of the debate team that tied Harvard University in a debateone of her proudest college moments. "We always said that if Hollywood ever needed somebody to play the role of God Almighty, they ought to get Barbara Jordan." 8. Barbara Jordan: (04:36) At this point, I would like to juxtapose a few of the impeachment criteria with some of the actions the President has engaged in. "A President is impeachable if he attempts to subvert the Constitution.". The citizens of America expect more, deserve and they want more than a recital of problems. If one citizen is unwilling to participate, all of us are going to suffer. Transcribe your audio files to find high-impact insights in minutes. These are the foundations upon which a national community can be built. It contains rules about what power is wielded, who wields it and over whom it is wielded in the governing of a country. In 1962 and 1964 she was an unsuccessful candidate for the Texas House of Representatives, but she was elected in 1966 to the Texas Senate, the first African American member since 1883 and the first woman ever elected to that legislative body. 65. 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. 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: Indignation so great as to overgrow party interest may secure a conviction; but nothing else can., Impeachment criteria: James Madison, from the Virginia. My faith in the Constitution is whole; it is complete; it is total. Barbara Jordan: (06:51) *Freedom for all race, sex, and background. "So I said: 'Well, I'll just start with that. Barbara Jordan: (12:13) The most accurate AI-powered transcription on the market. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, I have finally been included in "We, the people.". Jordan died in 1996 from pneumonia, a complication of leukemia. 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. When speaking to students, its ok to use broken English so that they can understand you more easi Telegrams and letters poured into Jordan's office in the days following her speech. The powers relating to impeachment are an essential check in the hands of the body of the legislature against and upon the encroachments of the executive. . New York Times, 18 January 1996; Sandy Grady, "Magnificent Voice Stilled at Last," Philadelphia Daily News, 23 January 1996. Barbara Jordan: (05:14) Today I am an inquisitor. Speech-to-Text API for pre-recorded audio, powered by the worlds leading speech recognition engine. Barbara Jordan: (15:27) 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. But when the document was completed on the seventeenth of September 1787 I was not included in that We, the people. I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. There is no way to improve upon that. 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. Try Rev and save time transcribing, captioning, and subtitling. What was the purpose of Barbara Jordan's speech? B. And our meeting this week is a continuation of that tradition, but there is something different about tonight. One writer lamented that Jordan's booming voice, with its thundering call to principles enshrined in the Constitution, was "a song of the past."7. 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. In methodical and determined tones, she unfolded the constitutional standards that President Nixon had appeared to have violated. Barbara Jordan: (03:08) And immediately thereafter met with the very persons who were implicated in the information Mr. Peterson was receiving. 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. 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. Jordan's eleven-minute statement in the committee's public hearings was broadcast on prime-time television. Barbara Jordan: (04:51) "The reaction from the other committee members was: 'You must be out of your head.' The Best Speech-to-Text Solution for Your Business Learn how Rev fits into your businesses workflow. 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. 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. We call ourselves public servants. And in the Virginia ratification convention: "We do not trust our liberty to a particular branch. 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. 5. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Rep. Barbara Jordan Richard Nixon Impeachment Hearing Speech, Congressional Testimony & Hearing Transcripts. Pettiness cannot be allowed to stand in the face of such overwhelming problems. This we must do as individuals. 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. (AP Photo), Barbara Jordan marked history in a number of ways, using the power of her speech and the clarity of her mind to break down barriers of race and gender. She captured the attention of U.S. Pres. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Since that time, Democrats have continued to convene once every four years and draft a party platform and nominate a presidential candidate. 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 . We are a party of innovation. 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. Support students by having a transcript of the speech as they listen to Barbara Jordan. What was the purpose of Barbara Jordan's speech? They represent what this country is all about. We do not reject our traditions, but we are willing to adapt to changing circumstances when change we must. We've been talking about it awhile now. Barbara Jordan, in full Barbara Charline Jordan, (born February 21, 1936, Houston, Texas, U.S.died January 17, 1996, Austin, Texas), American lawyer, educator, and politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives (197379), representing Texas. Barbara Jordan: (11:17) She then accepted a position at the University of Texas, Austin, where she taught at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs until her death. Now, that I have this grand distinction, what in the world am I supposed to say? We should now forthwith proceed to answer the question. A President is impeachable if your attempts to subvert the constitution.. The Federal Convention of 1787 said that. Copyright 2023. The mediums that are used to get her speech out to the public are telecast reports and newspaper reporters. Pettiness can not be allowed to stand in the face of such overwhelming problems. Earlier today, we heard the beginning of the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States: "We, the people." This morning, in a discussion of the evidence, we were told that the evidence which purports to support the allegations of misuse of the CIA by the President is thin. We know that the President met with Mr. Henry Petersen 27 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. On July 25, 1974, Barbara Jordan delivered a speech on Impeachment. Weve been talking about it a while now. In other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust. . Fielding's office, after having met with Mr. Ehrlichman and Mr. Young. President Nixon resigned from office on August 7, 1973. We know the nature of impeachment. Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan was selected to give the Opening Statement to the House Judiciary Committee on July 25, 1974, as it began its momentous proceedings on the Impeachment of President Richard Nixon. As students listen to the speech they can highlight, underline, and . It limited impeachment to high crimes and misdemeanors and discounted and opposed the term "maladministration." We are a heterogeneous party made up of Americans of diverse backgrounds. Renown orator Barbara Jordan delivers the Keynote Address to the delegates of the 1976 Democratic National Convention. We admit our mistakes. , ept more personal shots, like baby pictures, in photo albums that usually remained on a shelf.B. Industry-leading accurate legal transcription to ensure you dont miss a statement. Jordan was the youngest of three daughters in a close-knit family. A Barbara Jordan and background the majority of the 1976 DNC on July 24,,. If he attempts to subvert the Constitution. `` for your Business how. To follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies included in that we, people... Of Representative Barbara Jordans keynote speech at career day at Jordan & # x27 ; s high school to content. Students listen to the speech as they listen to the speech they can highlight, underline, and not,. A recital of problems impeachment of President Richard Nixon impeachment Hearing speech, Congressional Testimony Hearing... Speech on impeachment this grand distinction, what in the Constitution of the Preamble to the of! 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