Remarks By Representative Richard Gephardt (D-MO) at the Democratic National Convention

Federal News Service July 27, 2004 Tuesday

HEADLINE: REMARKS BY REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD GEPHARDT (D-MO) AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

BODY:

REP. GEPHARDT: (Cheers, applause.) My friends, fellow Democrats, fellow Americans: I've known John Kerry for most of my congressional career. I've worked with him. I know his values. I know his heart. And I say to you with complete conviction, there is no one in these United States with more courage, more judgment, more resolve, more of the knowledge and experience to hold the job of president of these United States of America. (Cheers, applause.)

At the dawn of the global economy and information age, we need a president like John Kerry, who will turn around the worst job-creation record since Herbert Hoover. At a time when world markets are getting more competitive, John Kerry will put an end to shipping jobs overseas, to special-interset bailouts, and instead will invest in the skills and education of our people again.

At a time of global terror, John Kerry will take on the terrorists where they live before they can threaten us where we live. (Cheers, applause.)

And he will never pursue a go-it-alone policy in the foreign policy area that leaves America isolated from its friends and hinders the hunt for our enemies.

There's another reason we must win this election and put John Kerry in the White House: because he will bring with him a great fighter for hardworking men and women, Senator John Edwards of North Carolina. (Cheers, applause.)

In an election year, we hear a lot about the word "character." In this election, there is a candidate whose character was forged throughout the genuine battlefield heroism, through three Purple Hearts in the Vietnam War. John Kerry defended our freedom at the barrel of a gun. He put himself in personal peril to save the lives of his crewmates. We know he won't take matters of war and peace lightly. (Applause.)

John Kerry has the strength to keep America strong. This year, in this election, there's a candidate whose character has shown through in the many battles he's taken on for our families, as one of the first Democrats to take on the deficit, as a champion of public education and our children's future. John Kerry has been a leader on these issues for decades. And this year, in this election, there is a candidate who understands middle-class squeeze, who understands what it means for a parent to lose a job, for a family to go without health care or be hit by rising colleges costs.

As some of you know, I've had a single, simple purpose for my years in public service: to make it possible for hardworking American families to succeed; to help the growing number of families where both parents work just to pay the bills; where life is a never-ending scramble of credit card debt; where it's a struggle to pass on the right values, to teach simple lessons of disciple and respect, right and wrong to our children.

Instead of just helping those at the top, I think we ought to make-give everyone a chance to reach the top. (Applause, cheers.) And if we strengthen all our families, if we make sure our economy enriches everyone, mark my words, the people at the top will do even better. As Dr. Martin Luther King taught us well: I can never be what I ought to be until you can be what you ought to be. (Applause.)

If a child doesn't have health insurance, we all pay the price when she shows up at the emergency room. If a child drops out of school, we all pay the price of violence, dependence and indigence.

Words can be cheap in a political year. We all know that. But I'm going to borrow some familiar ones to tell you that we need John Kerry as president because we need a uniter not a divider in the White House. (Applause, cheers.)

We need John Kerry as president because it's time to restore honor and dignity to the White House, to have a president whose whole life is a testament to his goodness and decency and to his courage under fire.

We need John Kerry as president of the United States of America because he will fight for working families and help America to be what it ought to be.

When I think back on the months and miles of my own campaign, my heart is full. You see, I didn't come from much. My dad was a milk truck driver, a proud member of the Teamsters. (Cheers, applause.) My mom was a secretary. Neither finished high school. I never dreamed I'd have the chance to serve so many people in so many ways.

I found a true partner in life, my wife, Jane, who I adore, and children-Matt, Chrissy (sp) and Cate (sp), and their families, that I couldn't be prouder of. I had the honor to serve my constituents in Missouri, and a gifted and loyal staff who helped me throughout my career. (Cheers, applause.)

I'm a lucky man. Together they taught me that, win or lose, the dream is what matters, the fight is what it's all about, for an America that works for the many, not just for the few, for an America that lifts all those who have been locked out and left out of our bounty and promise.

I ran for president because I wanted to give those people a voice. And I stand proudly at John Kerry's convention because he speaks for them. He strives to lift them up. Their cause is his unyielding concern! (Cheers, applause.)

To all those who supported me and all those who share my dream for a better America, thank you. May God bless you and may God shine on America! (Cheers, applause.)