- Jul 12, 2018
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THE CAPITOL BUILDING
The House Chamber
November 22, 2002
6:05 PM EST
The House Chamber
November 22, 2002
6:05 PM EST
On November 2, 2002 President Al Gore was shot in an attempted assassination plot. That night, tens-of-thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Washington to protest for, or against, a bill called "The Patriot Act" which would have stripped all Americans of their basic rights to privacy and allowed the CIA, and other covert government organizations, to operate without oversight in the homeland. This bill was proposed in the name of security, but Vice President Benjamin Valentine Sinclair opposed it as a regressive step in America's history. That Saturday, Vice President Sinclair led National Guard troops to the Capitol Building to stop rioters from entering the building. Sinclair was successful and also persuaded the Senate to unanimously vote against The Patriot Act. That night, Sinclair told the nation that President Gore had survived surgery. He also said that the reason the riots happened were because a group of rich men orchestrated the riots so that The Patriot Act, and other laws along the same lines, would pass Congress.
Today, Friday November 22, is the last day that the United States Congress will be in session before recess. Today is also the first day that President Gore has returned to the White House. The President and his staff, including the Vice President, created a speech that would inform the American People of the state of the Union. Security that night was intense in and around not just the Capitol Building, but the District of Columbia. That evening, the Secretary of Defense was the designated survivor. Access to the Capitol Building, and its grounds, were tightly controlled by the Capitol Police, the D.C. Metropolitan Police, the FBI, and the Secret Service. Only Americans and special guests were on the grounds and inside the building for what would proceed.
Members of the President's cabinet were introduced into the House Chamber, on by one. The Vice President, who was now regarded as a national hero, received thunderous applause and a standing ovation from the joint session of Congress as he walked inside. Vice President Sinclair humbly smiled and nodded his head, shaking hands with colleagues. The Vice President took his seat beside the Speaker of The House. Then, the Sergeant at Arms announced, "Mister Speaker, the President of the United States!"
All of those assembled, including Vice President Sinclair and the Speaker of The House, stood and clapped and cheered as another standing ovation was given for America's recovering President. This would be the first public speech that Gore had given since returning to office. The President was walking with a stylish black cane, not too different from Sinclair's walking cane. The President held the cane in his left hand and used it to slowly make progress forward as he shook hands with dozens of congressmen and senators. President Gore eventually made it to the House Clerk's desk where he briefly turned around and handed two manila envelopes to the Vice President (who was President of The Senate) and Speaker respectively - inside was a signed copy of the speech he was about to give. He shook both of their hands, exchanged a few brief words, and then turned around to the Congress. After a few another minute or so of applause the crowd finally quieted down.
Speaker Williams, who had remained standing, gaveled once upon his desk and said, "Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the President of the United States!"
The entire crowd, once again, stood up and applauded for what was nearly two minutes. President nodded at a few of his friends in the crowd, but quickly did his best to try to get everyone to sit down. Nevertheless, as was tradition, the Congress clapped anyway for another half minute. Finally, the crowd sat down and the President was able to begin his speech which was, at times, interrupted by applause.
"Mister President, Mister Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, my fellow Americans. Despite the troubles that we have faced, and the troubles that we will face, the resolve of everyday Americans to perform their duty makes me confident that the State of our Union is strong.
"It is a blessing and a privilege to be with all of you here, today. I have received prayers, letters, and well-wishes from Americans all across the country and people from all over the world. Thank you for praying for the First Family and I... I have so many people to thank: the doctors, nurses, and staff at George Washington University Hospital; the Secret Service agents who administered blood transfusions to me on the way to the hospital, and also Special Agent Taylor Palmer who saved my life by using his body as a shield to protect me. Special Agent Palmer's wife, Martha, is here tonight as my honored guest. Martha, on behalf of the First Family and the rest of the American People, I am so sorry for your loss. I will forever be in debt to your family," the President said. Congress and all of the guests stood up and started clapping for Martha, who was sitting next to the First Lady. The clapping went on for nearly a minute as Martha started to cry into the shoulder of the First Lady, but eventually regained her composure.
"I also want to thank someone special who did not play a part in saving my life, but he did play a part in saving our republic. Vice President Benjamin Valentine Sinclair," Gore said, and then turned to his left and made eye contact with the Vice President. Gore himself started clapping, and the rest of the people did too. The clapping and cheering got louder. Eventually Gore extended his hand and the Vice President shook it. Despite their large gap in age, the two men could confidently call each other friends.
"After I was shot, the Vice President was escorted to the White House where he was sworn in as Acting President. After he was sworn in, he informed the American People of the national situation. Protests, as you know, grew larger and larger until they turned into riots across Washington D.C. The Vice President was told to evacuate the White House to a secure facility. However, he heard that the Senate was still in session at that police at the Capitol Building was under threat. Vice President Sinclair flew Marine One to a command station on Pennsylvania Avenue instead of being evacuated. He personally took command of an Army National Guard battalion and marched them to the Capitol Building. He rode his horse through the crowd, behind the police, and gave a speech to have the crowd disperse. This gave enough time for reinforcements to arrive. The last time a sitting President directly commanded troops like this was President George Washington, during the Whiskey Rebellion.
"Mister Vice President, the United States is in your debt. You served your country bravely in Korea and earned the Medal of Honor. You served as a as Congressman, a United States Senator, and now the Vice President of the United States. Let any man be reminded of the name Benjamin Valentine Sinclair if he asserts that the office of Vice President is ceremonial or serves no purpose. Vice President Sinclair is a veteran, a statesman, and a hero. That is why today I will be presenting him our nation's highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom," President Gore said. He reached down and raised up a ribbon with a distinct medal at the bottom of it. Sinclair was shocked and covered his face for a moment as President Gore faced him. The Vice President bent down and the President secured the ribbon around his neck so that he was now wearing it. The congress and the crowd were electric with applause.
"Years ago," Gore continued, "I made a promise to the Vice President that I failed to keep... While I am thankful for men like the Vice President, or Special Agent Palmer, or the brave men and women in our armed forces who are willing to sacrifice everything for our country, I cannot ignore that we have faced several national disturbances in a relatively short period of time. If I am going to be honest, we need to realize that there is something terribly wrong in our country," the President said very seriously and clearly.
"The bombing of the Capitol, and also the insurrection that we faced this month, were the result of corporate and wealthy interests who felt that they would be better at controlling the destiny of the United States than the American People. While I do not like describing myself this way, I am a politician. All of the congressmen and senators in this room are politicians too. We know what it takes to get elected, and what it takes to get reelected. We all know how much of the American People's will is ignored so that corporate interests and the interests of the extremely wealthy are given more attention. These companies and individuals are able to fund political campaigns using money with PACs, and Super PACs, which allow them to bypass campaign finance laws... In so many words, this gives corporations and wealthy individuals a chance to buy, or at least heavily influence, American political leadership.
"For the rest of my presidency, my top legislative priority is for the Federal Government to produce and pass an amendment to our national Constitution that will ensure American politicians cannot be bought and sold to the highest bidder. I understand this will not be easy. People and corporations will argue that spending money has to do with freedom of speech and self-expression. I know that the American People are intelligent and will not fall for that, and I have faith that the 108th Congress will do what is right and support the Vice President and I in this sacred endeavor to safeguard our republic for generations to come. An amendment will be proposed for their consideration in 2003 and we will get it passed. Thank you for your time and your attention. I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving."
Today, Friday November 22, is the last day that the United States Congress will be in session before recess. Today is also the first day that President Gore has returned to the White House. The President and his staff, including the Vice President, created a speech that would inform the American People of the state of the Union. Security that night was intense in and around not just the Capitol Building, but the District of Columbia. That evening, the Secretary of Defense was the designated survivor. Access to the Capitol Building, and its grounds, were tightly controlled by the Capitol Police, the D.C. Metropolitan Police, the FBI, and the Secret Service. Only Americans and special guests were on the grounds and inside the building for what would proceed.
Members of the President's cabinet were introduced into the House Chamber, on by one. The Vice President, who was now regarded as a national hero, received thunderous applause and a standing ovation from the joint session of Congress as he walked inside. Vice President Sinclair humbly smiled and nodded his head, shaking hands with colleagues. The Vice President took his seat beside the Speaker of The House. Then, the Sergeant at Arms announced, "Mister Speaker, the President of the United States!"
All of those assembled, including Vice President Sinclair and the Speaker of The House, stood and clapped and cheered as another standing ovation was given for America's recovering President. This would be the first public speech that Gore had given since returning to office. The President was walking with a stylish black cane, not too different from Sinclair's walking cane. The President held the cane in his left hand and used it to slowly make progress forward as he shook hands with dozens of congressmen and senators. President Gore eventually made it to the House Clerk's desk where he briefly turned around and handed two manila envelopes to the Vice President (who was President of The Senate) and Speaker respectively - inside was a signed copy of the speech he was about to give. He shook both of their hands, exchanged a few brief words, and then turned around to the Congress. After a few another minute or so of applause the crowd finally quieted down.
Speaker Williams, who had remained standing, gaveled once upon his desk and said, "Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the President of the United States!"
The entire crowd, once again, stood up and applauded for what was nearly two minutes. President nodded at a few of his friends in the crowd, but quickly did his best to try to get everyone to sit down. Nevertheless, as was tradition, the Congress clapped anyway for another half minute. Finally, the crowd sat down and the President was able to begin his speech which was, at times, interrupted by applause.
"Mister President, Mister Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, my fellow Americans. Despite the troubles that we have faced, and the troubles that we will face, the resolve of everyday Americans to perform their duty makes me confident that the State of our Union is strong.
"It is a blessing and a privilege to be with all of you here, today. I have received prayers, letters, and well-wishes from Americans all across the country and people from all over the world. Thank you for praying for the First Family and I... I have so many people to thank: the doctors, nurses, and staff at George Washington University Hospital; the Secret Service agents who administered blood transfusions to me on the way to the hospital, and also Special Agent Taylor Palmer who saved my life by using his body as a shield to protect me. Special Agent Palmer's wife, Martha, is here tonight as my honored guest. Martha, on behalf of the First Family and the rest of the American People, I am so sorry for your loss. I will forever be in debt to your family," the President said. Congress and all of the guests stood up and started clapping for Martha, who was sitting next to the First Lady. The clapping went on for nearly a minute as Martha started to cry into the shoulder of the First Lady, but eventually regained her composure.
"I also want to thank someone special who did not play a part in saving my life, but he did play a part in saving our republic. Vice President Benjamin Valentine Sinclair," Gore said, and then turned to his left and made eye contact with the Vice President. Gore himself started clapping, and the rest of the people did too. The clapping and cheering got louder. Eventually Gore extended his hand and the Vice President shook it. Despite their large gap in age, the two men could confidently call each other friends.
"After I was shot, the Vice President was escorted to the White House where he was sworn in as Acting President. After he was sworn in, he informed the American People of the national situation. Protests, as you know, grew larger and larger until they turned into riots across Washington D.C. The Vice President was told to evacuate the White House to a secure facility. However, he heard that the Senate was still in session at that police at the Capitol Building was under threat. Vice President Sinclair flew Marine One to a command station on Pennsylvania Avenue instead of being evacuated. He personally took command of an Army National Guard battalion and marched them to the Capitol Building. He rode his horse through the crowd, behind the police, and gave a speech to have the crowd disperse. This gave enough time for reinforcements to arrive. The last time a sitting President directly commanded troops like this was President George Washington, during the Whiskey Rebellion.
"Mister Vice President, the United States is in your debt. You served your country bravely in Korea and earned the Medal of Honor. You served as a as Congressman, a United States Senator, and now the Vice President of the United States. Let any man be reminded of the name Benjamin Valentine Sinclair if he asserts that the office of Vice President is ceremonial or serves no purpose. Vice President Sinclair is a veteran, a statesman, and a hero. That is why today I will be presenting him our nation's highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom," President Gore said. He reached down and raised up a ribbon with a distinct medal at the bottom of it. Sinclair was shocked and covered his face for a moment as President Gore faced him. The Vice President bent down and the President secured the ribbon around his neck so that he was now wearing it. The congress and the crowd were electric with applause.
"Years ago," Gore continued, "I made a promise to the Vice President that I failed to keep... While I am thankful for men like the Vice President, or Special Agent Palmer, or the brave men and women in our armed forces who are willing to sacrifice everything for our country, I cannot ignore that we have faced several national disturbances in a relatively short period of time. If I am going to be honest, we need to realize that there is something terribly wrong in our country," the President said very seriously and clearly.
"The bombing of the Capitol, and also the insurrection that we faced this month, were the result of corporate and wealthy interests who felt that they would be better at controlling the destiny of the United States than the American People. While I do not like describing myself this way, I am a politician. All of the congressmen and senators in this room are politicians too. We know what it takes to get elected, and what it takes to get reelected. We all know how much of the American People's will is ignored so that corporate interests and the interests of the extremely wealthy are given more attention. These companies and individuals are able to fund political campaigns using money with PACs, and Super PACs, which allow them to bypass campaign finance laws... In so many words, this gives corporations and wealthy individuals a chance to buy, or at least heavily influence, American political leadership.
"For the rest of my presidency, my top legislative priority is for the Federal Government to produce and pass an amendment to our national Constitution that will ensure American politicians cannot be bought and sold to the highest bidder. I understand this will not be easy. People and corporations will argue that spending money has to do with freedom of speech and self-expression. I know that the American People are intelligent and will not fall for that, and I have faith that the 108th Congress will do what is right and support the Vice President and I in this sacred endeavor to safeguard our republic for generations to come. An amendment will be proposed for their consideration in 2003 and we will get it passed. Thank you for your time and your attention. I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving."
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