African Americans

""Heidy usually answers the phone. But I picked it up and said, 'Good morning.' The voice on the other end said, 'Mr. Baker, Vernon Baker?' I said, 'Yeah.' He said, 'What do you know a bout the Medal of Honor?' And I thought, 'Who in the hell is this nut?' and I started to hang up the phone. He said, 'Don't hang up! I'm Professor Gibran and I'm a professor at the Shaw University in North Carolina, and the Army has given us a $350,000 grant to investigate why no black Americans received the Medal of Honor during World War II.' And I said, 'Um, yeah, this is another one of those committees they dream up to investigate, and then all of a sudden they're gone.' Well, he said he'd like to come and talk to me, him and a Colonel Cash. He's deceased now. So I said, 'Okay.' We met them over at a hotel in Spokane for a couple of days, spent the time talking. All of a sudden, reporters started calling, and then people started showing up at the door, wanting interviews."

"Thousands of people embraced me- the towns of Montignoso, Massa, and Cararra, the cities of Pietrasanta and Florence, even the president of Italy. It was a homecoming more incredible than any lost soldier could long for. Yet, I came to Italy imagining one last important march. I planned to retrace my steps to the castle, search for the place where each of my nineteen men took his last breath- those places are indelible in my memory. I planned to pay homage to each man's soul, apologize, thank him, and make our peace. Perhaps I owed a similar apology to the two young German lads in the tank, I reasoned. I was not prepared to meet my ghosts."

"Dedicated to my grandfather, Samuel Joseph Baker, and the brave soldiers of the 92nd Infantry "Buffalo" Division who fought valiantly in Italy during World War II- especially the men I left behind. Well done, fellows. We did it."

"I received the Medal the thirteenth of January, nineteen-ninety-seven, from President Clinton. Seven were awarded, but I was the only one still walking around. I was thinking about nineteen men left on a hillside."

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: First Lieutenant Vernon J. Baker distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 5 and 6 April 1945. At 0500 hours on 5 April 1945, Lieutenant Baker advanced at the head of his weapons platoon, along with Company C's three rifle platoons, towards their objective; Castle Aghinolfi - a German mountain strong point on the high ground just east of the coastal highway and about two miles from the 370th infantry Regiment's line of departure. Moving more rapidly than the rest of the company, Lieutenant Baker and about 25 men reached the south side of a draw some 250 yards from the castle within two hours. In reconnoitering for a suitable position to set up a machine gun, Lieutenant Baker observed two cylindrical objects pointing out of a slit in a mount at the edge of a hill. Crawling up and under the opening, he stuck his M-1 into the slit and emptied the clip, killing the observation post's two occupants. Moving to another position in the same area, Lieutenant Baker stumbled upon a well-camouflaged machine gun nest, the crew of which was eating breakfast. He shot and killed both enemy soldiers. After Captain John F. Runyon, Company C's Commander joined the group, a German soldier appeared from the draw and hurled a grenade which failed to explode. Lieutenant Baker shot the enemy soldier twice as he tried to flee. Lieutenant Baker then went down into the draw alone. There he blasted open the concealed entrance of another dugout with a hand grenade, shot one German soldier who emerged after the explosion, tossed another grenade into the dugout and entered firing his sub-machine gun, killing two more Germans. As Lieutenant Baker climbed back out of the draw, enemy machine gun and mortar fire began to inflict heavy casualties among the group of 25 soldiers, killing or wounding about two-thirds of them. When expected reinforcements did not arrive, Captain Runyon ordered a withdrawal in two groups. Lieutenant Baker volunteered to cover the withdrawal of the first group, which consisted mostly of walking wounded, and to remain to assist in the evacuation of the more seriously wounded. During the second group's withdrawal, Lieutenant Baker, supported by covering fire from one of his platoon members, destroyed two machine gun positions (previously bypassed during the assault) with hand grenades. In all, Lieutenant Baker accounted for nine enemy dead soldiers, elimination of three machine gun positions, an observation post, and a dugout. On the following night, Lieutenant Baker voluntary led a battalion advance through enemy mine fields and heavy fire toward the division objective. Lieutenant Baker's fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the military service."

"Having grown up in a small northern town, Baker didn't understand why they asked him and another black passenger to move to the front car, closer to the noise and exhaust of the locomotive, shortly after the train crossed into Texas. Boarding the empty bus for Camp Wolters, he tossed his bag down and moved into the first seat behind the driver- his first mistake in the segregated South. The driver spun around with words uglier than Baker had ever heard: "Hey, nigger, get up and get to the back of the bus where you belong." Baker's fists clenched as a friendly hand touched him on his arm and led him to the back of the bus. The old man who'd intervened, and possibly saved Baker's life, gave him a quick education in Jim Crow. He'd been close. Stronger men had been lynched for less."

"Please join me in passing along thoughts and prayers to all the families who begin the weeks of funeral services in Uvalde,Texas.19 students and 2 educators lost their lives in a senseless act of brutal murder in the strongest terms possible."

"It was an honor to receive this award recognizing me for Exemplary Leadership and Collaboration from the Kansas Mental Health Coalition for the 2017 -2018 Session of the Kansas legislature"

"Last month I was invited to speak at the Rally for Public Education. I had the opportunity to say that EDUCATION IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Our children deserve a quality education and leaders who are willing to invest in their future."

"Congress has failed to act even after numerous mass shootings, including this year's tragedies in Olathe,Irvine, and Buffalo. This year I reintroduced two pieces of gun safety legislation in February of the 2022 session. HB 2613 wouhavr exempted all Board of Regents Institutions, including the university of Kansas,from concealed carry regulations. HB 2914,a Red flag law , would have allowed judges to issue gun violence restraining orders at the request of concerned family members"

"These scholarships are distributed based on household income, ensuring that low- and middle-income families benefit the most. As the program stands today, higher-income households are unlikely to qualify for a voucher, making it a targeted solution for those who need financial support. This gives families who couldn’t otherwise afford private school tuition the ability to make the best choice for their children based on academic needs, safety concerns or other factors."

"I recognize the concerns that some have about how this program might affect public schools. As senator, I will work to close any gaps within the Opportunity Scholarship program, because I know it’s not a perfect system. I believe we can support both public and private education, and I’m committed to finding solutions that improve the program while ensuring our public schools remain strong. This doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game. Competition can drive improvement, and at the end of the day, it’s about making sure every child — no matter their background — has access to a quality education."

"The biggest challenge facing North Carolina today is affordable housing. As our state experiences rapid growth, housing costs continue to rise, making it harder for working- and middle-class families to find affordable places to live. This issue directly impacts our workforce, local economies, and community stability."

"It’s impossible to pick just one challenge as North Carolina’s biggest issue. Our state faces complex, interconnected problems — public education, healthcare, housing, economic growth, environment, clean water, voting rights, and more. Each issue is critical and our citizens deserve thoughtful solutions to address them all."

"We must protect our most precious resource, our environment, for future generations."

"However, an underlying issue that is most concerning is the extreme partisanship that’s preventing us from doing the real work North Carolinians deserve. As an Air Force veteran, I’ve seen firsthand what’s possible when people work together toward a common goal. But in the legislature, too often, bills and budgets are crafted behind closed doors, with little input from across the aisle. This undermines democracy by silencing the voices of those we represent. No one party has all of the best ideas; our citizens deserve our best collective efforts."

"Health insurance needs to be affordable and available for everyone, not just the wealthy. I will always fight to improve the access, level of care, and affordability of health care."

"It's time for Congress to act, restore the Voting Rights Act, and take action to prevent voter disenfranchisem ent. As your next Congresswoman, I will stand up to the extremists in the Republican Party to ensure civil rights are protected for everyone."

"Women have fought too hard and come too far to have their rights stripped away. Women, not politicians, should make decisions about their own healthcare. I stand firmly in defense of a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions"

"I believe we can do better and I am committed to doing my part. I will continue to represent the needs of my entire district and our state, while working with anyone who’s willing to collaborate for the good of North Carolina, but never compromising my values. The challenges we face are too important for us to remain divided. We owe it to our state to work together to build a better future for all."

"The Republican legislature is perpetuating a slow death for our public schools by systematically underfunding them while failing to meet the North Carolina Constitution’s requirement for a sound, basic education for every child. Their efforts align with Trump’s Project 2025, a national agenda aimed at dismantling public education. Our children deserve better — they deserve a world-class public education that equips them to compete globally, not one sacrificed to political agendas and the privileged few."

"It is far past time for blacks to still be displayed as victims. enough"

"I voted against Senate Bill 20, the so-called "Care for Women, Children and Families Act." The title is misleading because SB 20 demonstrates a deep disregard for women and their right to make their own healthcare decisions. This bill reduced the abortion limit from 20 weeks to 12 and in my opinion is just the beginning of attacks on women’s reproductive rights in North Carolina. To be clear, this is not about a woman's "ability to keep her skirt down," as some might suggest — it's about one of the most sensitive and deeply personal healthcare decisions a woman can face. I fully supported the 20-week limit, which allowed exceptions for rape, incest, and when a woman's life is in danger, based on her doctor’s advice"

"It is time to stop allowing people to use race to manipulate."

"It's time to stop allowing people to use race to not be accountable for their actions."

"Since the 2020 election, we've had some big successes, including sending the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to President Biden's desk. These legislative victories are responsible for everything from the Child Tax Credit, to almost a billion dollars in transit funding for North Carolina"

"The legalization of recreational or medical marijuana is a complex and debated issue, and opinions vary. Some argue for its potential medical benefits, economic impact, and social justice considerations, while others express concerns about public health and safety. If North Carolina were to consider legalization, we would need to discuss regulations to address issues like age restrictions, licensing, and taxation to ensure responsible use. It's essential for any policy to strike a balance between individual freedoms and societal interests while addressing potential risks."

"When the Supreme Court struck down Roe, it took reproductive health care decisions from women. I will continue to fight to ensure women’s rights are restored and protected. I also support legislation that would provide paid family and medical leave benefits, making it easier for women to return to work particularly after the pandemic."

"I voted in support of Senate Bill 3, the NC Compassionate Care Act, I believe it is time North Carolina passes medical marijuana. My district is home to Fort Liberty, where many disabled veterans live and suffer from chronic pain due to their service. During my campaign, veterans repeatedly expressed the need for medical marijuana as an alternative treatment for pain management. As a disabled veteran myself, I understand firsthand the challenges of managing pain. This bill was an opportunity for the state to take meaningful action to support our veterans beyond words of gratitude. While the bill has not yet passed the NC House, I remain hopeful that it will in the next session. As for recreational marijuana, I don't foresee it becoming law in the near future, and it is not something I would support at this time. My priority is ensuring we address the immediate healthcare needs of those who need it most, particularly our veterans"

"As a retired educator, I have seen first-hand the impact a great education can have on a young person’s life. I will always be a champion for public schools, our teachers, our children and our Historically Black Colleges and Universities. I want to make sure our HBCUs not only survive but thrive. That’s why in 2019 I sponsored and introduced H.R. 5363, the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act that permanently provides funding totaling $255 million a year for all Minority-Serving Institutions, including $85 million for HBCUs."

"Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.” The United States has the worst maternal health outcomes, including mortality and morbidity, out of all other developed nations. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication compared to white women. That’s why I co-founded the Black Maternal Health Caucus and why I’m fighting for the Momnibus, a package of 13 bills focused on improving maternal health outcomes and closing the disparity gap."

"If you are burning our flag, you should be arrested and given a free ticket to the country of your choosing."

"I want to be clear — supporting Opportunity Scholarships doesn’t mean I’m against public schools. I’m in favor of both. I fully support the N.C. Opportunity Scholarship program, also known as school vouchers, because it gives families the freedom to choose the best educational environment for their children. What I prioritize is the student and their individual needs. Every child deserves the chance to succeed, whether in a public, private or charter school."

"I also support a single-payer health care system and have fought for several decades to ensure North Carolina expansion of Medicaid."

"We will not miss you and our country and culture will be better."

"The claim that N.C. Opportunity Scholarships are about "parental choice" is misleading. Yes, parents should have the ability to choose to send their children to private schools, but they should use private funds — not public tax dollars meant for our struggling public schools. In Cumberland County alone, these vouchers will divert over $25 million from our public schools, further starving a system that’s in crisis. This isn’t about choice — it’s about undermining public education."

"To Bruce, Stevie and any other entertainer; You have enough money to live anywhere, so why don't you just get out of this country you hate?"

"As a retired educator I have seen first-hand the impact a great education can have on a young person's life. I will always be a champion for public schools, our teachers, and our children."

"Any news on the black teens that shot the baby in the face?"

"The cost of fighting evil... 1984- " in times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act" Orwell."

"A tragedy is not the same as a crime."

"All the helicopters and planes we sent to Egypt, went directly to the Military- and they kicked Morsi out."

"I will always fight for a woman's right to choose and the right to privacy. Reproductive issues are medical related issues and they should be kept private between a woman and her doctor."

"How demeaning that race hustlers want to keep blacks as victims, instead of healthy contributing members to society."

"Circumstances of the black community will improve when thier parents make better choices for themselves and the future of their children."

"Threat? Obama says racial tensions “may get worse” if his agenda doesn't get passed"

"Al Sharpton and Company need to be deported. ANYWHERE"

"WHY ARE WE NOT AS A NATION IN FULL PROTEST AGAIST THIS RACIST HATEFUL, CHARLES RANGEL?"

"RACIST, HATEFUL AND NOT ACCEPTABLE! Rep. Rangel (D-NY): Tea Party Same 'White Crackers' Who 'Bombed Little Kids' During Civil Rights."

"For the American people who have been listening to these lies from the Democratic left: I will tell you, this is not something that Donald Trump has ever spoken to or he's committed to whatsoever. There's no enemies list. I mean, yeah, there are people who've been opposed to him, but he is focused on the American people. Job number one is securing our border and beginning the process of deporting illegal immigrants out of our country. Job number two is getting our economy thriving again, becoming energy dominant again. That's his focus. His focus is the American people, not some enemies list that only gets talked about in the Daily Kos or Salon.com or any other place like that."