2008 Democratic National Convention Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by John Salazar, US House of Representatives, Colorado The following is a transcript of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by John Salazar at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, August 28, 2008:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Honorable John Salazar Democratic National Convention Thursday, August 28, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
Hello Colorado! And welcome to all of you who have come from across the nation for this historic event. I'm proud to represent one of the largest rural districts in America-a district of small communities, of people who believe in hard work, love of family and service to our country. Unfortunately, over the last eight years, the Bush administration has neglected rural America. And all John McCain is offering is more of the same neglect. John McCain has repeatedly opposed policies that energize our rural economies, opposed farm bills-over and over and over again-opposed increasing funding for nutrition programs that keep our nation's children from going to bed hungry at night. We need a president who understands the contributions and values of rural America. A president who understands the men and women who are up at 5 a.m. every day to grow the food that we put on our tables. We need a president who'll support rural America and the family farmers we all rely on. Most of all, we need a president who will deliver the change we need. My fellow Coloradans, my fellow Americans, Barack Obama will be that president. Barack Obama will work hard on behalf of those who work the land, and lift those who strive to earn a decent living in our small communities, and to keep the promises we've made to the men and women from all across America who have proudly worn this nation's uniform. As a lifelong farmer, I stand here today and look out upon a silo of hope. It's stored up-it's ready for November. Ready for us to end this time of rural neglect, begin a time of endless promise. We will elect Barack Obama, the next President of the United States.